The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1905-01-20


where the Russian Baltic feet sank two
travis OF the British fishing feet. shook
the foothold OF every throne in Europe,
while a culver of excitement ran through
the financial markets OF the world.
The threatening probability Of war be-
tween Russia and England-a probability
that became the more menacing because
Of the undoubted hatred OF the masses
OF each of these countries the one for
the other-struck everyone OF the widely
expanded tentacles OF the British out
posts and caused the already aroused
possessions OF the Gar TO ferment with
additional military precautions. The
probability of war between Great
Britain and Russia. which Is always the
Joker IN the modern court deck OF cards,
with which the worlds diplomats play
the game OF international intrigue and
deceit. began when the sound OF the shot
that rang over the bleak waters of the
North Sea reached London, a probability
that only the coolest Judgment on the
parts Of both the Russian and British
leaders fortunately averted at the last
But that war. which is the talk of
London and st. Petersburg, does not
show its really dangerous symptoms
either In the Black Sea or where the
British Channel squadron surrounds the
rock-ribbed cliffs OF Gibraltar. The real
pulse OF the British-Russian danger
beats afar OF from the capitals of both
empires The actual outposts OF the
two countries come together in a noun
famous. Isolated, slightly populated and
altogether baTbarouS section Just north
OF the Oxus River, a thousand miles
from the Caspian Sea and another thou
sand distant from Delhi, the most
northern capital OF the Hindoo PENN
sula.
where the Danger Lies.
To the careful and sincere student NJ
the military paradox which has brought
the Island Empire and the two Russias
face to face IN that far-distant territory
certain pleasure IN noticing the long
series OF military moves, FIRST on the
Part of Russia and again on the part of
ton has gradually crept up-England
from the south and Russia from the
north towards the key of India, which
both nations realize is the picturesque
Mohammedan town Of Herat. But while
Herat is undoubtedly the military KEY 10
the North Indian situation. neither has
as yet ATTEMPTED to bodily occupy IL
To the student OF inside history il Is an
open secret that the present Russian
japanese conflict was ventured by the
yaps only after the British Empire had
formally declared the dual alliance.
which was virtually a notification that
the Japs were 10 be allowed TO attscls
the Gar In his weakest point. The kew
10 the whole situation was that Japan
WIS 70 have international freedom from
interference unless the nation interser-
ing with the japanese assault upon
Russia was prepared to go to war with
the greatest naval power on the globe.
For over Is years Japan had been
pointing out to the conservative officials
on Downing street the fact that this at
tack upon the Gar was the essential
thing, and nevertheless Lord Salisbury
could not be persuaded TO openly Join in
q defensive alliance with purely
Oriental race.
why England Joined Japan.
The British dominancy over the Esvn.
tian, over the most civilized OF ali or5ep-
tails, the Hindoos, made Il dif1cuIf Tor
the British diplomats to Join as an eot,al
an oriental people. which cannot be cor
sidered superior. morally or raciaIlv n
every one OF a dozen nations held in
the grasp OF Britain. and ruled by DEM
ties of Britain. The whole key, then 70
the present Russian-Japanese in spring.
as 1t did. from the British Alliance with
japan arose from an expedition. whicb
while made light of by the Diplomats a,
81. Petersburg, absorbed Persia into the
Russian sphere Of influence and rnoet
important of ell. brought the farfbest
outpost OF Russian Cossacks TO within
q days ride Of Herat, the key TO The
northern gates Of India Now. this ex-
petition. which resulted in so frighfen-
ing England that for the first time in
history European power has joined on
equal terms with an Asiatic one, was
pGdEGIul enough. Yet with
a Russian railroad actually built and IN
operation to within 40 miles of Herat. the
Car has actually beaten England in TIE
stubborn contest for the control OF the
eault upon some far distant frontier OF
the Gar. causing an enormous expendi-
ture, and the trouble TO transport the
scattered forces OF Russia to the point
of attack. could save the British possess
Eions in India Although the British
diplomats will still vehemently deny the
Russian menace against the British pos
facts and the actual military OCCUPANCY
along the entire Indian frontier shows
clearly TO the trained military student
the fact that until the Jsps had smashed
had dragged 70 the farthest East the
flower Of the Cars army, that Russia
had assured a position within 50 miles
would have enabled the Cars generals
within three days 70 have occupied an
the important posts in Northern India
and to have an assured occupancy OF
ouired almost Superhuman exertfon on
the part OF the British 10 crush back.
What Russia Wanted at Herat,
The Russians themselves have realized
thoroughly the strength OF their posi-
tion just north Of India, and its terrible
British Indian Empire. General Sobolen
as far back as 1852 urged the military
OF Herat He said: "A body
OF European troops esta biished at Herat,
and standing with its front 70 the SOUTH
east, would draw upon 1t the attention
of the whole population of India. In
that lies the significance OF q military
OF Herat; and IL is not with
perts. knowing India well. have express
ed their belief that. were an enemy TO
occupy Herat with q powerful force, the
English army, without having fired q
chnf urCTfId rnrefdor ffcaff half %
He was then chief of the Asiatic
branch Of the general staR and exer-
cised a large control over the Russian
military advance In Central Asia Sub
seouently he was appointed minister Of
war in Bulgaria. where ne distinguished
himself by his zeal in outstanding the
with the idea OF Fastening the |
time for fresh advance upon Con- |
stantinople-
Herat is q very large city. and does