Year: 1873

| Asia, the Hindoo Koosh, which rears its
mountain heads to the heavens, and pretend
not to be afraid of the Kyber pass or other
pass, which opens the way to Cabool and
Afghanistan.


well as powerful in arms. A large part Of
the people of British India have no love for
their conqueror. They have been kept in
subjection by force, by subsidies to chiefs and
by arraying one tribe against another. The
warlike people Of the mountain border coun-
] try, which the Russians would first come in
contact with, have been and are, probably,
especially inimical to British rule 1t might
not be difficult for Russia to foment hostility
against England in India. In case Of need
the nucleus of Russian army to cooperate
with the natives might prove as effective as
the limited number of British troops has
proved by the same system of tactics. We
are not, however, speaking Of what is immi


hent or likely to take place within a few
years But it is in the future possibility at
least, and we might, from the nature of
things, almost say probability. This may
be inferred from the well known Eastern
| policy Of the two great Powers concerned,
and is somewhat indicated by the speculations
Of the Russians and the sensitiveness of the
English. In this movement of Russia upon
Khiva and into Turkestan the Russians will
also flank Persia and increase their
influence with that Empire. Nor will
the progress of Russia southeastward
fail to have ON effect upon Turkey.
The more the Russian dominion and
influence are extended in that direction the
more will the Caspian, the Black Sea and the
Sea Of Aral become Russian lakes from which,
in this age of steam power, most formidable
base Of military operations can bo established.
England will hardly be able to form again any
such European alliance to hold Russia in
check there as she formed at the Crimean war.
History shows that the destiny of great north
ern nations, particularly when inspired by
military and territorial ambition, as is the case
with Russia is southwark to moro genial
climes and more productive regions.


In connection with this subject Of Russian
progress and British alarm there has sprung
up lively discussion relative to railroad
projects from Europe to India. M. de Les
seps, the famous engineer, who made the Suez
Canal, has submitted a proposition to the
Russian government to construct railroad
from Orenburg to Peshawur, Cabool, on the
confines of the Punjaub, thus connecting St
Petersburg with India The railroad
system of Russia extends already to
Orenburg. This, Of cotrse. Would be-
vast undertaking, but not an impracticable
one, and not more difficult, probably, than
constructing our Pacifc Railroad. glance
at the map will show this would be the most
direct route from Europe to India. The war
in Khiva has, doubtless, some connection with
this project. The English, naturally enough,
do not like the scheme, and speak slightingly
Of it They, consequently, are speaking Of
another line by the way of Turkey and Persia
q much longer and more costly one. They
do not like the idea of going to India by the
way of Russia. That is too suggestive and
humiliating Railroads, it is true, are, to o
certain extent, the pioneers of peace as well as
of progress; but they do not as we have seen
within the last few years, prevent war. In
fact, they prove to be the most effective agents
in carrying on war. Should there be rail-
road from Orenburg to Peshawur, in
war on the border Of India between
Russia and England, the former Power
would have by far the greatest advantage,
unless, indeed, such railroad should be neu-
tralized for war purposes by treaty. Whether
such gigantic projects be carried out now, or
deferred for some time, they will be
accomplished at no distant period; for
India and China, containing half the
human race and full Of wealth, must be
brought in closer communication with Eu-
rope. In the future race for the trade Of that
part of the world, which all commercial ma
tions have been contending for during ages,
Russia has the most advantageous position by
land and the United States by sea- The great
plains Of Russia in Europe and Asia are the
best outlet on one hand and the Pacific Ocean
on the other. England, by her wealth, her
present commercial supremacy and her artif-
cial advantages may hold the greatest share of
Asiatic trade for awhile; but natural advan-
tages and science must effect change in time.
| The capture Of Khiva, if we mistake not and
the proposed railroad to India, will be in
strumental to that end, and may also tend to
change materially the political map Of Asia.
| The Lifc-Saving and StOrm-Warning
Service on the Coast.


| One of the most useful applications yet pro-
| posed for the Signal Service is to connect its
system with that of the lighthouses and life
saving stations on the sea coast, and we are
| glad to learn that arrangements to this end
have been made. At its third session the
Forty-second Congress provided for the estab-
lishment of ten ife-saving stations, to be
| located from the Maine to the North Carolina
coast inclusive and the Treasury Department
| has already executed the DESIGN of this lepisla-