Sir Richard Temple on India and Russia.

Thames Star, Volume XVI, Issue 5081, 30 April 1885, Page 3

Sir Richard Temple on India and Russia.

One of the best and most reeont works on India is, that published by Sir RTemple entitled " India in 1880." The second edition was issued in 1881. Sir itichard Temple has been Governor of Bombay, Lieutenant-Gorernor of Bengal, and Finance Minister of India. ( Speaking of the importance of Merr to Russia (which place has lately been taken full possession of) Sir R. Temple says .— "It is partly on account of Herat that the apprehensions of Englishmen are aroused in reference io the Russian advance towards Merr. These repeated expeditions on the part of Russia are not really needed for the defence or consolidation of her dominions in Central Asia. The harm which Turkomans may occasionally do to the Russian interests on the shores of the ' Caspian, near Chikislar, is too insignificant to constitute . a reason for important jjmili tary expeditions to a distant place like . Merr. The real aim of these arduous am expensive expeditions can only be the 1 acquisition of influence over Herat, and the adjoining province of Persia. If Merr, with its Turkoman tribes, shall fall into the handsof Russia, it can iv course of time be made a military base, and it possesses many resources, as its irrigated cultivations, once large but now con tracted, can be restored. Among these resources is to be reckoned some of the best material for irregular .cavalry, both in men and horses to be found in all Asia. The hordes; of well mounted - Turkomans could, under European guidance, be made to sweep over Afghanistan. From Merr as a base, Herat could be threatened by the route of the Murghab Rirer. It would then require vigilance and skill on the part of England to keep Herat free from Russian influence. Therefore, it would be conducive to the just interests of England, if Russia were again giren to understand, as she was in 1875, that any occupation of Mery by her is disliked, and viewed with distrust, as being calculated to cause disquiet among the Afghans, and to disturb the confidence and amity'which ought to result from the settlement of the .outer boundaries of Afghanistan. The present desideratum ii that Merr should remain neutral and independent. . .V 'In regard to Pishin and neighborhood, which is now our advanced, position, Sir P. Temple also says : "There is no space here to recount territorial strides whereby Russia has advanced through Central Asia, nor to illustrate the indisputable fact that her influence immediately fills any space that is left Vacant by English power. This political process has been aptly compared by a ?ery *"gh authority to the natural rushing of air into a vacuum. It follows that if Russia once enters Afghanistan, her influence would not stop till it reached the Irans'lndus frontier of the British territories, that is, clpse up to tho right bank of the, Indus.?, . Russia might not, indeed, be able to occupy Afghanistan • in force; such occupation might prore as arduous to her as it did to the English. Bat she might maintain diplomatic control or influence there, right up to the mountain passes, which are the gates of India lacing: towards Central Asia. Such •rents or circumstances would make a profound impression on the vast population of British subjects in India, especially upon the educated classes, and also upon the natires. By the treaty of Gandamak, • long strip of territory adjoining the aouthern border of Afghanistan was assigned to the British Government for administration. The territory comprises the district of Thai Chutiali, of Siba, and of Pishin, the last two of which lie on the route from the Indus to Candahar. This important range is crossed by the well known Khojak Pass, which is and will be (until the completion of the railway) an obligatory point in the communication between India and Southern Afghanistan. A railway has been opened from the Indus to Sibi, and began from Sibi to Pishin. In support of. Pishin lies Quetta, close at hand, an excellent military station, with a bracing climate, and with resources for •upplying troops. The possession of it enables the British Gorernment to control Beloochistan, and is essential to the safety ' of the communication o£ Southern Afghanistan in the erent of need,"