THE IMPORTANCE OF HERAT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 13, 15 January 1880, Page 6

THE IMPORTANCE OF HERAT.

The Moscow correspondent of the Cologne Gazette says: — "The inhabitants of Bokhara, the Turkomans, and even the Persians, will never recognise two masters in Asia at the same time, and, accordingly, an understanding between Eussia and England would be idle, as its object, the assurance of tranquility in Central Asia, could not be attained. It, is however, more than doubt ul whether the two Powers are troubling themselves at all about this object. They each, on the contrary, pursue their cwn special aims and interests, which are diametrically opposed. England in her policy goes to work, at any rate, the more openly ; she does not conceal her hostile attitude in Asia as regards Russia, under the cloak of humane principles and efforts at civilisation, but openly takes up her ground as the enemy of Eussia in all respects. Each of the two Powers is exploring the unknown % regions of Asia under various pretexts of scientific research, and each of bhetn keeps its own agents j and if Russia is slowly making eSai-ts to undermine England s power, none the less is England keeping herself prepared j ! to strike a decisive blow at Russia's influence in Central Asria. According to appearances, the Afghan war was the first step in this direction. It would also . seem as though both Powers had met one another upon a neutral field uuprepared, Russi.i, in who many respects was the cause of the war, found herself coovpelled to )eb the war take its own course, resolving to make up for it in another way, and to checkmate England's success in another quarter — that is, by the expedition in the Akhal-Tekke Oasis. England, at present, can only attempt to put obstacles in the way of the Russian expedition, and hinder her from taking Merv. In our opinion no understanding can ba arrived at between the two Powers, even in case the English held Herat and left Merv to the Russians. England would in those circumstances, manifestly be at a disadvantage, for Eusaia would have the way opn to Herat on both sides — from Merv and from Bokhara ; while, by the occupation of Herat, England would not only break the treaty concluded with Afghanistan, but would also injure the interests of Persia as well as Russia. England is perfectly conscious of the difficulties of her position, and, therefore, first tries other means of putting obstacles in the way of Russia's advance, contenting herself with not withdrawing her troops from Candahar. The intervening space - separating the two opposing powers has grown much narrower within the past ten years. The two points about which

the solution of the question of Central Asia-— a question equally important to each of the two opponents - depends are Merv and Herat. Merv is a question of life or death for Russia. On the other hand, England would nofc allow Herat to pass into Bussian possession without a life and death struggle. . > ■ ■• .