RUSSIA IN CENTRAL ASIA.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2640, 25 June 1877, Page 2

RUSSIA IN CENTRAL ASIA.

The Quarterly has an article on the military position of Russia in Central Asia, the general conclusion of which is that—" The position of Russia is that of a great Power which has recently obtained possession of a raat tract of country hitherto divided between three effete Mahomedan principalities. It is, for the most part, a barren conquest, poor in revenue and in general resources; the distances are great; the deserts widespread, and deficient in food, fuel, and even water; the roads are mere caravan tracks, and railways are unknown. The Russian occupation is necessarily limited to isolated detachments, and civil Govern* ment is hardly established; and although no military power exists which can beat Russia in the field, still the country is but half-aubjugated. Her position is not an assured one, and the inhabitants are unfriendly. Even assuming that Russia entertains hostile designs against us, it seems difficult under any circumstances to feel any real alarm as to a possible invasion, or even threat, of India. Russia *- may, no doubt, in time, to a certain extent, consolidate her conquests, and remove some of the causes of her present weakness; but it is evident that many of the conditions are not capable of remedy, and ■ Central Asia must ever remain a weak basis for offensive military operations. Her present position is not only powerless for attack, but in some degree precarious. With the. deserts behind them, with vast snowy ranges in their front, the Russian southern outposts are mere points at the extremities, as it were, of attenuated threads, whose connection with the main resources of the Empire are liable at any moment to be snapped asunder. It could be easy, if it were desirable, fcr the British Government at any time to raise a general revolt against Russia of the whole Mahomed&n population in Central Asia, still easier if the Russians should embark in a crusade against their Mohamedan breihren .in Europe. When we consider the great strength of our own position in India —strength derived not merely from the geographical features of the country, but from the vast military resources' at our disposal, from the energy of our character and the justice of our rale —it seems quite remarkable that feelings of uneasiness should, from time to time arise as to the -Suppose:! d- signs or capability of Russia to injure us. May we not, with far more reason, feel that the .real power in that part of the world is in our hands; that, should war arise, it rests with us to march out to the attack; and that we would do so as from a citadel, sending forth p;*eat armies highly equipped, and strengthened not only by all the appliances of modern warfare, but by a conviction that the sympathies and interests of the races are on our side? _ These are considerations of the highest national importance ; the shadow of our power already falls far away over the snowy ridges of the Himalayas; and so long as we rule the countries committed to our charge with honesty, conciliation, and justice, we need neither dread disaffection within our boarder, nor attack from those who reside beyond it."