THE POSSESSION OF HERAT.

Kumara Times, Issue 1117, 29 April 1880, Page 4

THE POSSESSION OF HERAT.

The Vienna correspondent of the " Standard" wires:—" Since the opening of the English Parliament much attention has been given here to the Asiatic question. Should Lord Beaconsfield really intend to try and gain over Persia, by releasing her from her obligation not to ooccupy Herat, it is assumed here that this will be tantamount to having Persia as an outpost of Afghanistan. It is thought that the development of this idea will change the situation in Central Asia, by forcing Russia when marching towards India to deal previously with a third Power. It would also enable England, in a conflict with Russia in Asia, to operate effectively from the Persian Gulf. This is not a question of territorial aggrandisement, as some politicians effect to believe, but is regarded here as a bold plan on the part of Beaconsfield to make sure of Herat, at least indirectly, before Russia succeeds in operations against Merv. Should England be able to make the expedition against Merv fruitless by this timely interposition the authority of Russia in Asia would receive a serious blow. Moreover, the frontiers of India would be fully secured for a long period to come. The campaign in India is looked upon as being a necessary correction of faults committed by the last Liberal Cabinet, a necessary consequence of occupying Afghanistan as an ontpost against Russian attacks, and a revocation of the policy hitherto pursued by England towards Persia. This evidently what Russia considers to be the future policy of England, and she hopes to thwart it by hastening on the operations against the Turcomans. Indeed, the greatest exertions are being made to hurry on the Merv expedition. The plan of the campaign has already been worked out in St. Petersburg. The Russian army, advancing along different routes, but chiefly from Tchikishlar and Tashkent, will be divided into three corps. One will be commanded by General Kauffmann, and another by General Soack, while the third will remain for the present as the reserve, under the command of the Grand Duke Michael. The chief command of the expedition will devolve upon General SkoDeloff. As the advance of. the Tohikishlar column through the Attrek "Valley chiefly depends upon the support derived from Persia, the step now being taken by the English Cabinet is according to public opinion, calculated to interfere with the movements of that column. Rumors are current here that the Russian Envoy at Teheran is making preparations for his departure, after protesting against the occupation of Herat by Persian troops. The Russian authorities assert that this occupation, is to take place in April, as the Shah, with a large military escort, intends leaving Teheran on the sth of April, professedly on a pilgrimage to Meshed, in Korassau, which is in the neighborhood of Herat. They affirm that his real designs is to take command of the Persian troops now assembled there, which are estimated to be about 12,000 in number."