The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-03-26

were cities, 80 the story runs, OF a mill
lion inhabitants and over. at any rate suf-
~lciently to pay for the cost and trouble
which the regeneration will have occasioned.
He said that the nations were all on a friendly
footing with Russia. and that It was now pos
sible to travel unmolested. and even without
arms. throughout Trans-Caspia. He empha-
sized the fact that. for a long time. as long
times go in Asia. there had been no serious
conflict with the natives or any one else. and he
also put great stress on the statement that Tor
a number Of years Russia had made no attempt
to extend her frontiers. This is about what
would be told any inquisitive person. either In
central Asia or at st. Petersburg. so far as tho
Government is concerned. and there 10 no
doubt that Kourapatkin represented the Cow
eminent in talking TO us.
My other informants. such az officers In the
army. railroad and business men. represented
themselves alone. but there was n unanimity
OF opinion among them which convinced me
that. although there was less cause for them to
speak with tho caution which the men in more
responsible posts observed. the two classes of
men we're not very widely separated in senti-
ment and purpose. In regard to the probable
ity Of the Russian railroad system in central
Asia becoming Joined to the Indian railroads.
q question that has caused not a little discus
sion, and one that was constantly talked about
among tho members Of our party. II Russian
Colonel made this very definite statement:
The English can dilly-dally with the matter
as long as they like. and they are at liberty to
bring up all the arguments against it that they
can think OF. but it is the will Of 120.OO0 900
people,. e.. the Russians-that these two rail-
road systems shall be connected. and when
this will come to pass and where are mere
matters OF detail; tho important thing Is that
we have willed that it is to come to pass at all.
Perhaps you and l will live TO see the thing
done. but IL we do not our children will At
present the Russians are extending their rail-
road lines as rapidly as possible toward the
Afghan frontier. and l was told that in 1900 It
would DO possible for me to travel from st.
Petersburg to Herat by rail.
The orward policy, rs / learned to under
stand it. included the annexation OF the bulk
of Afghanistan. northern Persia and a big slice
out of western Mongolia. India. as an actual
goal. toward which these minor excursions
were merely preparatory. was never definitely
spoken Of in anv conversation that I had with
Russians. but In talking OF the less important
acquisitions | was invariably impressed with
the manner OF my infOrmants: IL was
as II they were holding something back
which was very interesting but could
not be discussed. 1t is easy to believe.
however. that among Themselves. In tho ness
room and in camp. they arc continually dis
cussinG how India is going to be taken and 1t
is not at all improbable that. like Skohelcfr.
while he was still a young man and living in
this same part Of the world. there is many
a young Russian soldier with som pet plan
up his sleeve for the conquest Of India, Their
life and the country suggest such undertak
ings. The service that they have to go through
is lonesome. wearing. and at times enervating.
but it Is also adventurous and it would hardlvho