Russia in Afghanistan.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 10 December 1891, Page 3

Russia in Afghanistan.

"With reference to the occupation by Russia of Little Pamir and Alichur, a correspondent of the London Standard, dating from Bombay, says that British prestige " has been lowered and the British power insulted by the unconstitutional expulsion of a British officer, the Diplomatic Agent of the Government, from the territory of a friendly neutral by an armed band of Cossacks. In a time of profound peace, Russia has annexed twenty two thousand square miles of Chinese territory, and ten thousand square miles of Afghan territory ! In other words she claims the whole of the elevated plateau known as the Pamirs, and all parts of Afghanistan which lie north of a straight line drawn from Lake Victoria to the juncture of the Kotcha river with the Oxus." He points out that " war is inevitable sooner or later," and calls for "a stern and determined armed protest. To arbitrate with Russia, to employ Boundary Commissions in dealing with her, is but to submit again to the diplomatic failure of 1885. The only effective argument, when dealing with a shifty antagonist, is the argument of the sword."