THE INDIAN PRESS ON AFGHANISTAN, RUSSIA, AND PERSIA.

Kumara Times, Issue 1062, 25 February 1880, Page 4

THE INDIAN PRESS ON AFGHANISTAN, RUSSIA, AND PERSIA.

The Bombay Gazette publishes the following telegram, dated Cabul, Nov. 13th : —“ A combined expedition of the Russians and the Persians against the Turcomans has been defeated near Sarakhs.” And adds—The intelligence sent by our correspondent at Cabnl concerning the defeat of a combined Russian and Persian force near Sarakhs, would, if correct, be of vast importance. In the first place, there is the assertion of a Perso-Russian combination, which is in itself a menace to the tranquility of the western border of Afghanistan; in the next place, it would show ah extraordinary activity and energy in the Russian scheme of advance in their having been able to progress as far as Saraks, which is on the frontier of Oabul Territory itself, while all the world had taken it for granted that the attempt to reach Merv had completely failed. And it is known that Russia has purposed to make a cat’s paw of Persia in the way that might suit her best. So we take it that the force reported to have been defeated by the Turcomans was in reality almost wholly Persian, but moved by Russian instigation, and probably led by Russian officers. Reports from Turkestan allege that Russian troops are collecting on the north bank of the Oxus, and that the Russians had called on the States of Khiva and Bokhara to assist in the construction of shelter for the troops. Mahomed Ayub Khan, a brother {of the ex-Ameer, had addressed the Russian authorities, informing them of the arrest of Takoob Khan by the British, and applying for the assistance of Russian arms to resist the invaders of Afghanistan.

The Civil and Military Gazette of India says :—lf our Gabul correspondent’s news of a large Russian force having advanced from Charjui towards the Afghan frontier be correct, some light may be thrown upon the conduct of the ex-Ameer’s party in Cabal. Not only may the disaffected chiefs have expected succor from Russia, and, as we stated at the time of the outbreak, this was a very probable expectation, but they had good grounds for their hopes. The latest from Cabul is that a force of Russians has been assembled on the Oxus and that the Khans of Khiva and Bokhara have been called upon to contribute towards bousing them properly for the winter. Then, again the report of Ayub Khan’s intention to declare his independence has been varied. He now appears as the champian of his country, not simply as the chief of Herat, and, it is said, has called upon the Russian generals to furnish him with the assistance he needs in his undertaking, which is nothing less than the expulsion of the English from Afghanistan.

The Times of India asks If we take Herat what will be the. effect on Persia and Russia ; Will Persia allow us to take a city which she has always coveted, and for a long time held, without a strong protest ? And can we count on her friendship or even neutrality, if we thus take possession of what she herself .has always wanted and has often held ? Russia could never make her way even towards India except with Persia’s assistance, and every effort has been made heretofore to counteract the efforts of Russia to secure a paramount influence at the Persian Court. Will not the capture of Herat throw the latter into the arms of Russia ? At Herat, Ayub, Takoob’s younger brother, is known to be already in communication with the Russians and Persians. He will bid high for the support of either or both, and if he receives but a few Russian officers, he may be enabled to make Herat a rather hard nut to crack. Yet on we must go. Here we dare not remain after spring unless we would provoke attack by our hesitation. Delay would inevitably enormously multiply our difficulties. The unavoidable delay caused by winter is to be deeply regretted. A Russian force has left Targui and has moved in the direction of Tekkes, but its destination is unknown. * Doubtless, they prefer “ the devil they don’t know to the devil they do,” for anything in the shape of a Christian is to them an abomination. Theßussians, however, somehow managed to cause themselves to be looked upon as “deliverers.” The unhappy people will find the difference in their masters if the Russians ever hold sway over them.