M. VAMBERY'S OPINION OF THE AFGHAN QUESTION.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IX, Issue 2960, 9 June 1885, Page 3

M. VAMBERY'S OPINION OF THE AFGHAN QUESTION.

The following is an extract from M. Arminins Vambery's arciclu in tho which has attracted considerable attention : " Whatever Russian diplomatists and Continental newspaper writers paid by Russia may say, it is an undoubted fact that Russia's present position in Central Asia forma but a temporary dearly bought baiting place on the way southwards. It h:«s b-en costing her from S 000.000 to 10.000,000 roubles annually. English statesmen ar« very credul»us, and s<i easily ensnared by the Russians that there is g"od ground for the growing irritation and anxiety of the British nation. Kich day's delay most be injurious to the English by diminishing their chances in a war which, let the f.ic's bo blinked at they may by those who have an interest in blinking them, is inevitable. In a few years Russia will penetrate into the proximity of Herat, partly by way of the j C.ispian Sea, and partly from the left of i the Oxu3, by moan 3 of a railway through ! Merv. She will, in course of time, raise ont of the Turkoman population a military force which will be able to vie with the renowned native regiments of India." 31. Vainbery adds that he has obtained private intelligence that already s€oo Turkoman horsemen, armed with European rifles, and drilled in the Rnssian manner, are ready for invasion, nnder the command of C olonel Lopatinsby. Finally, ht* dec'ares that the Russians, by gaining time, will pcajibly succeed in winning over the Ameer of Afghanistan, to whom they will offer heavier subsidies than those which the English pay.