The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-07-29
TROUBLE IN TIE F.4sT.

TROUBLE IN TIE Fist.
Trouble is brewing In the far East.
The sudden and rather unexpected agree
ment between Russia and England over
the details Of the Chinese Indemnity prob
lem, and the peace rumors that are float
ing in from South Africa have a deeper
meaning than the outward signs warrant
Russia has acceded to the position OF
England regarding the per cent custom
duty with an understanding that if in the
future this is found inadequate the pow
ers viii meet and devise some system
to raise the deficiency This leaves tne
British opium trade undisturbed Tally
one for Great Britain. But, why should
Russia all at once conclude to agree to a
proposition which she has fought Cor
six months? Let US see.
While the attention of the world has
been fixed upon the gigantic undertax-
mss of Russia in Siberia; While the ex-
PeIts of Europe and America have been.
figuring uron the military Importance and
strategic effect of the trans-Siberian rail-
way Russia has been engaged in another
undertaking of which the world has
known very little but which stands today
as a fitting exponent of the consummate
diplomatic strategy of the Slavonian.
To preserve the balance of power of
Europe, England prevented the Russians
from driving the Turk across the Bos~
phorus and thus opening a window upon
the Mediterranean, but Russia remained
master of the Black and Caspian seas.
Fer half a century Russia has been max
ing preparations to aveuge the Crimea.
In the armor of Great Britain there is
but one flaw which can be reached by
Russia. To attempt to ADJUST accounts On
the sea would be madness. but on land
ah! that is different. The vulnerable
point in the British armor is India and it
Is here that the patient Russian proposes
to strike.
The first step in this programme was
the conquest of Turkestan. Then came
the huilding of the trans-Caucasian and
trans-Caspian railroads; the first ex-
tending from Baku; the second from the
east coast of the Caspian, southeast
along the Persian border to Merry, then
northeast to Bokhara and Samarkand.
From Merry on this line a spur drops
down in the direction Of Herat and stops
only when it reaches the frontier of
.AfphgpiGtan
no foreigner has ever been. PASSPORTS
are not good over this line During. the
last two years over forty thousand Rus
sian troops have been stationed in the
vicinity of Merry to guard the trans
Caspian line. This is somewhat strange.
as the Turkomans are now the most loyal
of Russian subjects. Between Russia and
her revenge lies the principality of
trail territory, through whose noun
tain passes hostile army can
march into the valley of the
Upper Indus. That Russian diplomacy
has secured the good will of the Ameer
Of Afghanistan there is little doubt.
There is also little doubt that Russia has
been waiting only for favorable oppor-
tunity to occupy this neutral territory.
secure the mountain passes of the Hindo
Koosh. occupy upper India, take possess
sion Of the Indus and thus open a win
dow on the Arabian sea.
The troops of England in India are
70
vasion Of India. And should that occur
in conjunction with a native uprising.
Great Britain would stand an even
chance Of losing her entire Asiatic pos
sessions. That this is regarded as a nos
slbility by the British government is evil
0enced by the arrangement to transfer
10000 British troops from South Africa to
India. The reason assigned is the fear
of an uprising of the natives, caused bv
the plague and famine. a rumor that
Lord Kitchener is to be transferred IN
India indicates how serious is the situa-
ton. What influence this situation NAV
have on the determination of the Beers
to continue the struggle can only be con-
Jectured. With the Chinese matter set
tied, with Russia we'll grounded in Man.
ahuria, there is nothing to prevent the
Russian bear from feeding fat the an
Gent grudge he owes the British lion.
The plans have been we'll laid. An attack
on India from the north would take
Britain at the same disadvantage that
she has been laboring under in her con-
test with the Boers-her strong right
arm, her navy, would be useless The
navy might attack Russian commerce.
but what would Russia care for that.
she can live within herself and a block
ado Of Russian ports would only work
ruin on the commerce of other nations.
The political atmosphere of Europe is
charged with momentous probabilities
and England seems to be the storm CEN
ter.