The herald., 1895-12-08

Afghan frontier, with their maintenance
in the high mountain lands. But now
the situation is entirely altered. Since
the Tlrcomans' country was incorpor-
ated with the Russian empire the ad-
vanced military posts have drawn SO
near Herat that they can hardly resist
the tenn ptation to capture the town. The
fruitful frontier valleys are of GoDsidera-
bio Importance, as their possession in
sures rich source of supply. Moreover,
the railway removes many, of the former
obstacles to the advance OF large force,
such as the transport difficulty, which
entailed the presence iof crowd Of non
com batants with the army. Now regular
allowance on the march is one camel to
three men for transport purposes.
From the foregoing remarks it can be
seen. how Russia surrounds the whole
northern border of Persia and Afghsnis-
tan, hemmine in the latter country
from Zufikar Pass by Pendeh to the ANU
Daria, and further still to the Pamir
plateau-that debatable land which since
1891 has threatened to set alieht the
long-dreaded International conflagration.
The Pamir district consists partly of
wild, rocky mountains. With snowy peaks
and glaciers, partly of lofty prairies with
stony and arid grassy steppcs, where the
rigor OF the climate and the poverty of
the land prevent cultivation or any reg
ular settlement. Only the deep mountain
valleys and the shores of the various
lakes afford good pasture in summer for
the herds of the kara-kIrghese nomads.
No one would have contested the posses
sion OF these waste lands with Russia,
but 1t Is o different matter with the
southern and western borders of the Pa
Mrs. Here lies the valley of the ANU,
whero the mighty river first rises. Down
the stream extends thu alpine districts
of Wachan, Garan, Schugnan and Kos.
chan. The population-so QUO strong
inhabit numerous little villages along the
river. They are "Galtschas" or Persians
corner of the world, have kept their race.
customs and language pure from all out
side influence. formerly the valley was
the center OF large population and was
famed for its rich ruby and amethyst
seizsd the valley, much OF the country
has been deserted and many villages are
in RUNS.
At the point where the ANU issues
from the districts of Kosohan and OAR
wazz-the one under Bokharan and the
other under Russian dominion - the
river runs through mighty rocky gorge,
which the water itself has cut out. The
Rioomy detile is the gate of the Pamirs.
Considering he general political situation
in Central Asia, the command of the
Pamirs is most valuable in Russia from
strategical point OF view. The right
bank OF the Anu as far as Darwaz has
belonged to Russia for many years, so
that the Russians can keep three steamers
OF light draught on the river. If Russia
manages to get the upper part of the
mu valley, the first step will be- made
toward route to the foot Of the Hindoo
Koosh. Thence the Baroghil pass and
other routes lead over the range OF the
Hindoo Koosh, being pasAnble at all sea.
sons--acoording to Biddulph without
very formidable difficulties. These pssss
open the way across the Chitral tn Jel
labad and Cabul, and through Jasin and
Gilgit into the Indus valley. Thus the
possession of the ANU alley and the
Pamirs means to Russia the command of
dia. On this point, therefore, hangs the
future settlement Uf affairs between Rus