KHIVAN DIFFICULTY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 106, 15 February 1873, Page 13

KHIVAN DIFFICULTY.

The telegraphic news from Europe which appears in another column, leads to the supposition that the Russian policy in Central Asia is creating greater alarm in' England than previous advices led us to believe. It will be remembered that the last announcement of the position was that the British and Russian Governments had arrived at an understanding, the terms of which were that Russia was to be allowed t<» exact reparation from the Khan of Khiva for the outrages his people had committed against Russian subjects, and if necessary, to occupy a portion of his territory ; bat that there should be no attempt on the part of Paissia to advance either towards Persia or Afghanistan. There were many circumstances in favor of such an arrangement. First of all, Russia had undoubtedly good grounds for military proceedings against Khiva. For many years the predatory tribes of this Khanate have been in the habit of capturing Russian subjects and inflicting upon them the most terrible indignities and punishments, and now that the Russian Government have an opportunity of enforcing a severe retribution, it is only fair that this opportunity should be availed of. In the next place, both Khiva, Kokand, and Bokhara, have been so wretchedly misgo\ened, that their populations have become little better than bandits, preying upon each other, or upon any unfortunate strangeia who may happen to pass through, their territories. So. far it would appear as desirable as it has been inevitable that these countries should be brought under the influences of western civilisation and that Russia should be the nation to dominate. There was nothing new or startling in the gradual advance of Russia into Central Asia. Since the days of Ivan and of Katherine the policy of Russia has been steadily in the direction of absorbing the whole of Turkestan, and in fact of securing the whole of the eastern portions of Europe and a great belt across Asia to the Pacific. We have seen how slowly, but certainly, this policy has been pursued. Whilst Europe has been distracted by.wars, Russian troops have silently forced their way into the very heart of Asia, and almost to the doors of India. If anyone will take up a good map of thirty or forty years ago and compare the boundaries of Russian territory then with what they are now, he would be astounded to find how steadily Russia has pushed forward its outposts. Even now, prior to the quarrel with Khiva, Russia had planted its authority on the whole of the territory extending from the eastern banks of the Sea of Aral to the boundaries of the Khanate of Kokand, and thus commanded the entire overland trade from Persia, Affghanistan, Western China, and Central Asia. Russia has always enjoyed a monopoly of the trade of these regions, and she is undoubtedly the most fitting power to rescue the Khanates from the misrule under which they now labor. But the most serious phase of the question for England is that the conquest of Turkey and the occupation of India are quite as mnch traditional parts of Russian policy as the occupation of Khiva. And as rapidly as Russia is enabled to carry out the minor designs, it is as rapidly acquiring advantages for accomplishing its grander projects. That Russia has had designs on India is a matter of history. It has for very rriany years intrigued in Aff hanistan and Persia, and endeavored by the liberal distribution of gold to foment insurrections against British influence. The Crimean war, however, broke the prestige of Hussia for the time, and probably dissipatedmanyof the romantic ideas of supremacy which that nation had entertained for centuries, but if faith is to be placed in Russian assurances now, it can only be based upon the

fact that she is not in a position to invite a war with a first-rate European power. "We take it that this is how the question between England and Eussia now stands :—England accepts Russia's denial of ulterior desigus, hut at the same time says that any attempt to interfere with India will be resisted with the full force of the Empire. Up to the present point it would appear that the two Governments had agreed upon the appointment of a " neutral ground" beyond the limits of which neither power should advance. This may be all very well as between Russia and England in regard to India, but England is bound to insist upon securities that Russia in its operations in Asia has not a design upon Turkey. There can be little doubt that if Russia should obtain full possession of the territories north of Persia from the Caspian to I lie Oxus, it would be able to take up a most powerful position in the rear of the Turkish dominions, and in the event of another war with the Porte, attack from all sides at once. England is clearly bound to prevent such a possibility, and it is this which we suppose gives importance to an alleged cession to Russia by Persia of the Atroek (or Atreck as it is termed in thVtelegrams) Valley. The Atreek is a river of considerable size flowing into the Caspian Sea, and would no doubt form a strong basis of operations for the Russians, but we are puzzled as to how the valley of this river can have been ceded by the Shah of Persia, inasmuch as on the latest maps it is shown to be a considerable distance north of the Persian boundary. Tributaries of the river flow from Persia, and possibly it may be one of those that is referred to. The attitude taken up by the English press is singularly opposed to the policy pursued by the Government. It is very indicative of the condition of public feeling when we find the " Times" declaring that England does not fear a war with Russia and would sustain a long conflict if necessary. But this is only the result of the reaction that was bound to take place in the public mind after the humiliating Concessions which the Government have made during the last two or three years. The readiness with which the British Government allowed Russia to tear up the chief condition of the treaty of Vienna ; and the dirt-eating caused by the recent arbitrations relating to the Alabama claims and the San Juan question have disgusted the people of England, and a powerful current of opinion is -arising which the Government cannot long ignore. English people are getting sick of a peace-at-any-price policy which entails the loss of national self respect, and the contempt of the world. One thing is certain : England will never allow any ather European power a footingin India, and if any well grounded doubt of the honesty of Russia's intentions in regard to the Khiva question should get hold of the British mind war would be no improbable result.