Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-06-27

| INDIAN NATIVE CAVALRY | progress toward encroachment on | northern India
 Do you remember how the land lies
 down there just beyond Asiatic Rus sia? Along the border are Persia, the
 Caspian sea. Afghanistan, and then the Chinese empire. Now, to the
 south, come India, Persia, Afghani-
 stan, the Chinese empire Afghanistan,
 the buffer state" between the two
 great powers. Russia is straining
 every nerve to win the ameer for ally, and the present ruler being a mod ern, progressive young fellow. it is a little hard to find out just whether or
 not he will remain faithful to the
 British. England declares she de- sires the independence of Afghanistan
 and it is thought she is honest in this declaration. is looked upon as the powerful ally of the little state
 But the ameer has recently shown that he is not without ambition, has objected to certain advice offered him by Great Britain. The latter country suggested the Afghans have their sol diers, trained by British officers, He declined this kind aid, and asked of his ally the grant of strip of land in Beluchistan whereon a railway might be built connecting Pashawar with port on the Arabian sea- This rail way enterprise probably is backed by the Russians.
 Russia's wonderful secret service keeps the czar informed of everything going or along the Persian border and within Afghanistan. Scientific expeditions" study the topography of the country that separates Russia and India, and the military authorities have accurate knowledge of noun tain pass and possible means of en- trance through 'lndia's back door" The natural frontier is no insurmount- able defense-that back door may pres. ently cause the British a great deal of trouble, unless the Russians have learned salutary lesson from the Japanese that shall keep them in or der for awhile
 One thing on which Russia is said to build is the disaffection of the na- tives of India. That they have small loyalty for the ruling English is we'll known, and that that small loyalty has not been added to since Lord Cur zon's administration of affairs.
 If Afghanistsn opposes the czar, this opposition would be serious. The ameer has something like s0.000 troops. there is a very good gun fac tory maintained at Ksbul. the capital; generally the defensive condition of the country is good The smeer seems able to take care of himself pretty well.
 The relations of Afghanistan with the two powers close 10 her have changed from time to time. For the last 50 years Russia has not infre- quently proved the stronger influence in the buffer state; the Russians moved the Afghans to revolt in ls41. the year they nearly afhihiIsted the British troops stationed in their conn., try. immediately after the British had established themselves there Then in 1878 when the British helped them selves to Beluchistan. the ameer con- sidered alliance with Russia. the two powers showed no little heat over the matter: but when the smeer fed from his country and asked aid from Russia. he met with no response Dynastic auarrels now followed. England was appealed to to take sides. Wisely she kept to the policy of -mssterly inac- tion- for several years. then new Enslishman took charge and showed aggressive iron; to the Afghsns. in- sisting on residence in Afghanistan of English troops The natives hat ing the foreigners. rose massacre and l bloodshed resulted. The English found ! it better to take the part of friendly | outside ally rather than intruder. and l this is at present the state of affairs. |
 HENRY wHTTEHorE