SIR HENRY RAWLINSON ON THE RUSSIAN EXPEDITION TO KHIVA.

Waikato Times, Volume I, Issue 178, 28 June 1873, Page 2

SIR HENRY RAWLINSON ON THE RUSSIAN EXPEDITION TO KHIVA.

Sik Henry Ra"wmnson sketched, remark* the Manchester Examiner (March 26), with a bold hand the difficulties surrounding the Russian expedition to Khiva in the paper he read before the Royal Geographical Society on Monday eveniug. These difficulties ate of two kinds— natural and political. As regards the first, to completely it Khiva surrounded by deserts, and so completely are the tracks leading through these deserts supplied with water, that the Russian Government has been forced" to abandon its original intention of despatching a small army — say of 10,000 to 12,000 men — to reduce and occupy the country, and to substitute four small flying columns, the whole numbering about 4,000 men, with forty pieces of artillery, each taking a route of its own. When, however, it is considered that each independent line of advance will extend from 500" to 1,000 miles, and that the several points of departure are at extreme points to the west, north, and east, distant some months' march from each other, while communication between the columns on the line of march, will be quite impossible, there certainly seems, as Sir Henry remarks, " a great chance of miscarriage at some point or other." If, however, these flying coluins succeed in reaching their destination, the purelymilitary obstacles to be ovorcome are of a comparatively trifling [character. Professor Va'mbe'ry has established the Khan's army at 20,000 men, or even at double that number in case of emergency, but Sir Henry Rawlinson is confident that 4000 or 5000 Russian troops with nrtillery, would quicklj settle accounts with them. In short, it is the Abyssinian expedition over again, with, perhaps, a still larger element of uncertainty imported into it. The political difficulty is regarded bj Sir Henry as almost the most; considerable of the two. Even supposing the Russians were to succeed — as we remark, they certainly will do sooner or later, — wlwt could they do next ? To retreat or to remain in the country would be equally injurious. In the first eventuality, Russian prestige would suffer immensely ; and, in the second, the subjugated country could only be held at a ruinous cost to the conquerors. These are consideration! which the future alone can determine In the meantime we can all subscribe to Sir Henry's concluding dictum that Asia is large enough both for Russia and Great Britain, and that [each, country has enough to do within its own proper sphere to tax its energies to the uttermost. The Times (March 20) says : Sir Henry Rawlimon states that, " considering the peculiar condition of Khiva, the impovetished state of the country, the paucity of inhabitants, and the difficulty of obtaining a sufficient population to supply the requirements of irrigation ana agriculture, — considering, also, the necessity of sustained vigilance against the Tarcomans, the expense of constructing and of garrisoning forts and sinking wells in order to keep up the communication with the Caspian, — he could not suppose that Khiva could possibly be retained as a subject province at a less cost than Turkealan." If this view bo correct, how can it be worth the while of Russia to annex Khiva? And yet how can it be worth her while to send an expedition against Khiva on so considerable a scale except for the- purpose of annexing it ? Time alone oan show how. Russian policy will extricate itself from this dilemma; inrthe meantime it argues no unworthy jealousy on our part to keep a vigilant eye on the southern border of Asiatic Russia.

He was Sitee or It. — Two painters at work on a steamer under repair appropriated some of the white lead provided for their use by tying in their overalls at the ankles, and filling the space between trousers and overalls with white lead. To reach the shore from the vessel they had to cross a plank. In doing this one stumbled and fell, sinking like a millstone. His friend stood on shore bewailing his fate, and crying, 'Oh, dear! oh, dear! what will become of Hit poor wife and children P ' ' What are you blubbering about ?r? r said a byestander. ' Don't you 6co they are getting ready to hand him out ? He's got to rise three times, you know. 1 * Got to rise three times ! ' exclaimed the painter, pulling out hit purse — ' I'll bet he don't come up once ! ' Tub DauDOBBT or Litbbatuee. — I would rather serve in n shop -rather scour floors— rather nurse children, than undergo those tremendous and interminable disputes, and this unwomanly publicity. lam now chained to a desk, eight, ten, twelve hours a day, at mere drudgery. All mv thoughts of writing are- for bard money. But for those dear ties 1 should never write another line, but go out in some situation as other des.titu.te women do. Sinco I have become a professed authoress, woe is mo. A washerwoman hath a better trade. 1 write morely, for remuneration, and would rather scour floors if I could get as much by that healthier, more respectable, and more femiume employment. I myself hnte all my own doings, and consider the being forcsd to this drudgery as the greatest misery that life, can afford. But it ia in v wretched fate, and must be undergone — so long, at enafc, no my 'father is seated lo me. If I should have the misfortune to loso him, I bhall go quietly to the workhouse and never write another line — u far preferable destiny. No woman's constitution can stand the near and tear of all this anxiefcy. It killed poor Mrs Heuians, and will, if notayerted, kill mo. — Miss Milford*