The herald., 1895-12-08

II ths-student Of the big things OF con-
temporary history will take bis patience
and his map of Asi', and with them
eiucidate the facts in the folio wing ar
ticis, compiled in an English Journal
the London Graphic-by an English
hand, he will receIvs . good deal OF en-.
lightsnmsnt :.on the question whether
England bankers for an assault at arms
of any kind that would encourage Russia
tn push into India and wrest from Great
Britain what ths writer Of the following
article calls ''the chief pillar If her in.
tsrnational power"
1t might be explained In = PREDATORY
way that the Russian provinces OF Central
Asia are the trans-Csspian and Turkes-
tan; that the trans Caspian railway from
Uzunada, on the Caspian, to Samarcand,
with an extension in contem piation to
trans-Oaspia 10 in contact with Persia
and Afghanistan, while TurKestsn claims
to stretch into the PAmir region and
threatens to touch tho sphere OF British
protection in the north Of Cash mere. AS
yet the so-oalled "Pamir question" has
been agitated by peaceful comm issions
only. Besides these provinces admins
tered By Russian Officials the Russian en-
pre- in Central Asia includes the two
vassal states Of Bokhara and Rhiva.
Since the Pamir dispute in 1891 occa-
stoned diplo m alto negotiations bet xesn
the three Central Asisn neignbors-Rus-
STA. China ana Great Britain-disquietiug
news from that region is so frequent that
1t Is a. we'll to examine the development
OF Russian power in Central Asia. An
accurate estimate OF the situation IS all
the more necessary because competent
Judges fully recognize that the present
Russian position on the northern border
Of Afehanistan would form the base for
an attack on India.
Russia took the first step to extend
her power toward tho Indian border ea,ly
in tho last century. In 1717 Peter the
Great commissioned Prince Tcherksski to
find a way through Turskestan to India.
The first attempt soon failed In Khiva,
and more than century elapsed befnre
Gar Nicholas revived his great ancestors
schemes and sent General Perowski
against khiva. The general was no
more successful than mis- prede eessor ;nev.
ertheless another expedition--better pre-
pared-was undertaken eight years later.
sea and the Syr Daria, the Russians
crspt cautiously on until they had con-
structed cham Of forts to keep their
DOM m unications open. They captured
Ak Mesdiit, and used the sight to build
Fort Pesowski, which few years later
in 1S5S-made q firm defense against tho
attack of the kahn of khokand. The
Crimean war delayed Russia's progress
for short time. Then q rising in Kho-
kand, In which the emir of Bokhara was
involved ed TO further operations. Push
ing onward up the Syr Daria, the Rus
sians laid hands IL rapid succession on
Turkestan, Chemkend and Tashkend.
fresh campaign sgainst the em,r Of Bob
Kara followed. and in 1893 General Won
Kaufman took the Bokharan capital,
Samarcand, AUD forced the emir to acce Of
Russian protection. In 1871 Russia seized
upon the Kuldja district, but was obliged
to give back the greater portion in re-
sponse to the rightfuI claims Of China.
Further repsatsd cam rsiRns were under
taken against the khanat of khokand,
till 10 1876 General Skobeleff proved VIC
tor, and the Russian province of Turkes-
tan was created, with the four districts OF
Ferghana, Smireetchinsk, Syr Daria and
ANU Daria General Kaufman was APP
pointed encouragement of the province
and 1t was to him that General Skobel-
eff. then governor of Ferghana, proposed
a scheme for the conquest of India at
the beginning of the last eastern war.
This plan was svon checked by the meet
ing of the 3erlin congress, although
vance,. e. from Pstru Alexandrovsk IN
the Anu Daria toward Hera, from sam.
aroand toward Cabul, and from Marghi-
Ian toward Ghitral. Judging from the
totally insufficient strength of these
forces to carry out such an undertaking,
til main object was a demo nstration for
effect rather than genuine attempt at
conquest. Perhaps General Skobeleff
reckoned chiefly on stirring up revolt
among the Indian population.
In the meantime difficulties had arisen
with the Kahn of khiva, sntaIline an
expedition to the khanate In 1873. Hith-
erto r ussia had been obliged to lake
Orsn burg the chief point OF departure for
similar operations, with some assistance
from the fiotillas on the Aral sea and the
Syr Daria; but now, for the first time she
could depend OIL support from the Cas-
plan sea. Thanks TO the conquest and
f0rtiEuatioD of the last portion of the
Caucasian district. Russia was able 10