Year: 1873

L


How Modern Journalism Circles the


Globe.


| Those who have carefully watched the prog
ress of the Russian power in Asia will read
with interest the HERALD contribution which
we publish elsewhere, from the pen of our
special correspondent with the expedition to
Khiva. We may note. also, as coincidence
not without interest, the simultaneous return
of our correspondents from Cuba and from
Khiva. Each set out on errands of unusual
adventure, and thoy come home at the same
time. The cosmopolitan character of Amer.
can journalism is shown in their adventures
| A year ago it became necessary to follow the
Cuban insurrection. About the same time
it became also necessary to observe the
expedition to Khiya. In some respects
| there could hardly have happened two
events of less consequence to the Ameri-
can people. What did we care, with our
money making and business actvity-the
necessity of reconstructing our finances and
bringing peace to the South-for the quarrels
in q Spanish island or the adventures of a
Russian column in the deserts of Central
Asia2 And yet, SO closely connected have
modern nations become by the progress of
science and the arts, that these two events,
trivial as they seem, may be of the utmost
consequence to mankind


Cuba is our neighbor and Spain is our
friend. For long time it has been tradi-
ton with us that the possession of Cuba was
necessary to our political future-that, in a
well known phrase, it was manifest destiny
So, when the island became Volcano throw
ing out smoke and fire, disturbing our peace
and exhausting the resources of Spain at
time when that nation needed all her strength
for self-protection in Europe, it became of the
utmost consequence to the American people to
know what the revolution meant For with
the volcano in full fame just over the narrow
sea that washes our Florida coast, there was
no knowing but that stray spark would fall
upon our own territory and bring fire and
war. And, although the movement of Russian
military column through the country of the
Turcomans and by the banks of the Oxus
could have no interest to us, except, possibly,
of geographical character, still it
was a move in the gigantic game
of Russian and British ambition. Whatever
Russia may do to-day on the Oxus, or what
ever England may do tomorrow on the
Indus, are matters that, in themselves can
only have a secondary interest to mankind.
But in the future there is no question that in
terests Americans so gravely as the struggle of
the Englishman and the Cossack for the do
minion of Asia. We see England steadily
marching, with the sea as her base, from one
province to another, until the rich and ancient
empire which excited the envy and ambition of
Alexander is at her feet We see Russia, with
her empire her base of operations, steadily
moving over Central Asia, enveloping one
province after another in the folds Of, her pro-
digious military system, resolutely moving
towards Persia and the mountain frontiers of
Hindostan. Thus far Russia has been un-
challenged by any Power, except the nomadc
tribes of these Asian plains These she has
swept away almost without war, as it
were, by a wave of the sword. Eng
land, on the other hand, has had to
fight for her dominions She fought the
French, and was only saved by the genius of
Give and Hastings. She had to fight the
Sepoys, and but for the valor of Havelock and
Colin Campbell hundred years of dominion
would have terminated by the massacre of
every Englishman in India.


It was long dream of the first Napoleon
that Asia was the scene for the exploits of an
other Alexander. When he went to Egypt, at
the outset of his career, uncertain about
affairs in France, remembering Lafayette and
Dumouriez, fearing his own future with the
Directory, he seriously thought of leading a
French army into Asia as field for his am
bition, which would not excite the jealousy of
other French commanders. The idea pur-
sued him through his imperial career. He
dreamt about it at Elba; he talked Of it
at ST. Helena. Although fate had given him
gigantic tasks, and gilded his name with a
glory which will last for ages he seemed to
feel that he had done nothing to be compared
with what he would have done in Asia, and,
extraordinary as his fame had been, there was
glory beyond which he might have won.


What Napoleon dreamed we, Of this genera
ton, or probably those who come after us,
will most likely see. Therefore every step in
the development Of this Asian problem is of
commanding interest The results of our
correspondents observations in Central Asia
will throw a food of light on an unknown
land-a land that sooner or later must be the
scene of great events. For sooner or later the
Englshman and the Cossack must meet in
India. 1t may be on the banks Of the Oxus
or within the dominions of the Shah, or in
the wild Afghan country, where England rests
her power on the rude valor Of dependent
tribes. Will the meeting be a peaceful one !?
Will these two mighty nations be content to
divide Asia between them? Will they
consider that for centuries at least there
| ia nnnnnh To do in India and in Centrnl