RUSSIA'S NEW STRONGHOLD.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2161, 29 June 1889, Page 3

RUSSIA'S NEW STRONGHOLD.

» The ceding of Kalat-i-Nadir by Persia to Russia, which has just been announced, will be » very serious affair when its importance becomes understood. If EngUn* were to give Dover to France, or Russia were to hand over Cronsdt to Germany, it w< uld be the subject of talk in diplomatic circles, and the Press of Europe would be filled with articles. In the case of Kalat-i-Nadir, Persia has given, up a fortress wilhin her frontier, renowned through the whole of Central Asia. It is a great natural stronghold, of some miles in extent, defended by precipitious rocks, through which there are only two entrances. It is described by those who have seen it as an impregnai 1c position, that is, even in its natural condition, without foi tificai ions. It contains streams and fields. It size is such that it can easily be made not only a fortress, but aUo an arsenal andacity, by means of which Russia will dominate over the whole of Central Asia. Penjdeb, and the few miles of ground which \ were the cause of so much danger in 1885, were a mere trifle in comparison with this annexing of the Kalat-i-Nadir. Kalat means fortress or castle ; the name of Nadir n connected with it, as Nadir Shah managed early in his career to get possession of it. The spot is in Khoraasan, in the mountains which run from Sarrakhs to the Caspian, and is a few miles within the Persian frontier. It is abent sixty miles north of Meshed, and about one hundred north-west from Sarrakhs. Being about 3000 or 4000 feet above the sea, the climate will be cooler than that of the great fcplain of Central Asia, and it will lorm fine Hammer quarters for the Russian troops.