The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-10-25
EARrH-HUNGER,

#l5 ~ - IL u SClIlOl0 AloCNSCs IA VnA "a
hunger that is constantly gnawing at
the vitals OF the great powers OF Europe.
The citizens of u great republic enjoy
no greater boon than their freedom from
it's ravages. Upon the unfortunate
peoples who are it's victims it entails the
costliest sacrifices. It necessitates the
support of immense ornaments both by
sea and land, it wrings their hard
earned money from the poor, and it
takes from civil life and its possibilities
some Of the best years of the youth OF
the land. At present it is absorbing the
brightest political intelleots OF which
England and Russia can boast. Mate
and checkmate are the cries that are
constantly being exchanged over the
chess-board OF empire. Attacks and
feints succeed each other with a rapidity
and change of base that prove almost
~bewildering to the outsider. In Euro
pean politics England may still be said
to keep the lead of her old-time adver-
sary. It is true that the government OF
the car achieved a brilliant triumph of
diplomacy when it secured from it's
hereditary foe Of Turkey ever a limited
concession for the passage OF its var
vessels through the Dardanelles. But
when Salisbury rose to the occasion and
occupied the island of Mitylene with
a naval force the countries once more
stood quits. Meanwhile, England seems
to have regained her wonted influence
at the sublime porte, and the sultan has
signified to Russia his disapproval Of the
proposed passage through the Darda-
nelles OF a ship of war with the Grand
Duke George on board. If the porte, as
alleged, is preparing to fortify the Rus
sian entrance to the Bosphorus, we are
perfectly safe in assuming that England
is behind the sultan's movement, and is
DESTROYS Of proving to the czar the res
toration of her former prestige at the
'sick mans" court.
But while in Europe England is rest
ing safely-on the terrestrial end of the
political see-saw, Asia sees her high in
air and straining every nerve to regain
her lost position Of equality. Thwarted
in Europe, Russia has resorted to one of
her fayorite moves, and threatens Eng
lish interests in the east. Every adj
vance of Russia towards the Indian
empire sends a thrill of suspicion and
alarm through England. For many a
year the English government has made
it it's business to subsidize the ruler of
Afgbanistan and maintain him as a
friendly hnttress on the north against
Russian aggression. So far the policy
has met with a fair amount of success,
but the English are far from satisfied
with the safety Of their buttress. On
its boundaries towards the north and
northwest Afghanistan is still a very
vague quantity, and the absence of def
mite limitations in that direction has
given to Russia one more of the oppor-
tunities she loves. A Russian force has
entered Pants, and England and China
both are on the tiptoe Of anxiety. The
strategic importance of the plateau is
considerable; its commercial or agricul-
tural value, absolutely none. It is, in
fact, a kind OF wart on the northern
brow of the Afghan empire, round which
the three political mosquitoes are
angrily buzzing. No better proof of the
of this earth-hunger can be i'm
aglned. Here is a portion of Gods
earth that may embroil three empires in
war, and bring sorrow and suffering to
homes. And for what? For
the roof of the world, as some one has
APPLY styled it. For a country 10000 or
1900 feet above the level of the sea.
obliterated for the greater part of the
year beneath a shroud of snow. and &C.
for but a short period by passes
that TEEN with dangers. The citizens
this great commonwealth have MANY
things to be thankful for. For none.
however, more than for this, that the
Of Monroe shielded us forever
from the possibility Of the mania that
makes the plateau Of Pants an object of
to any nation under heaven.