THE COLONIST PUBLISHED DAILY-(MORNINGS). NELSON, SATURDAY, JULY 18, 1889.

Colonist, Volume XXXII, Issue 5523, 18 June 1889, Page 3

THE COLONIST PUBLISHED DAILY-(MORNINGS). NELSON, SATURDAY, JULY 18, 1889.

A RUSSIAN SATRAFI Secret conventions and private conversations between monaichs are not in any case communicated forthwith to a newspaper correspondent, still less in St. Petersburg when the Czar arranges with his visitor, the Bhah of Persia, on what terms their relations shall in future stand. Thus the minute details recently telegraphed cannot be implicitly accepted,' yet there is about them certain features so consistent with all that is known of ,the' most -powerful of the contracting par*

ties, aa to compel belief in the general truth of the statement, .Months since it waa announced that Persia had consented to hand over Kelat to Russia to appease the anger roused by the opening of the Karun River to the trade of the world, under a treaty with England. At that time it was supposed that the Kelat referred to was couth of Afghanistan, and as Persia has no claim on or concern with it, while England would' certainly resist even an approach to it at all hazards, the rumor was not credited. Since then it has been made clear that the place in question is Kelat or Kalat-i-Nadir, a fortress in Khorassan on the western frontier of Afghanistan. Be* fore the Shah reached the Russian capital a semi-official contradiction was given there to the rumor of the cession, and so the matter rested till this last rumor of the province of Khorassan itself having to be handed over in the event of war, though with whom is not stated. Probably the Czar is too well.advised to care much for a province, the greater part of which ia an "irreclaimable desert, but the fortress is a prize worth winning. Kelat means " castle" and thus the name occurs often. In this particular instance the addition is owing to Nadir Shah having gaiaed possession of it in the beginning of hia career. It is a fortress famous throughout central Asia as a great natural stronghold. The fow Europeans who have seen it say, the position is impregnable even in its natural state, it being defended by precipitous rocks, having only two entrances. Inside are streams and fields affording space for a city from which any strong state could overawe and rule Central Asia. This then gives a probability to the rumors which otherwise would be wanting. Herat has often been called the key of Central Asia, but the possessor of Kalat-i-Nadir might well reckon on wresting that key from its custodian at pleasure, unless it was held by a military power of the first rank. As a whole,* these statements appear to have a solid substratum of truth, and thus show how ably, remorselessly, and unscrupulously Russia is advancing and consolidating her dominions iii the East. The entire tenor of the information harmonizes with the long known fact, emphasised when the Kama treaty was entered into, that the Czar regards^ the Shah as virtually his vassal, and his kingdom as a property whereon he can enter when he deems it ■ convenient. His pledge to uphold the present dynasty may very well have been given, because the protector doubtless regards it as practically little more than his implied undertaking to protect the estates of his great nobies against foreign aggression. The degenerate representative of the mighty monarchs of Persia has sunk to the level of, at most, a satrap of the Czar. Still calling himself King of Kings, he has learnt to submit, and if ever he dares to assert his right to act independently will be taught he must obey. England has spent much in money, men, and thought to preserve this ancient kingdom from Muscovite rapacity, but the spoiler has won. The pressure un* ceasingly exerted by a neighbor whose territory adjoins cannot be counterbalanced by any State whose only accesa is by sea or through the dominions of others. The Czar's guest has paid heavily for his entertainment

The Elijah.---There was a large attendance at the Provincial Mall last evening, when the Harmonic Society repeated their performance of tha Elijah. The oratorio went well from start to finish, though perhaps last nights performance was hardly up to the high standard of the previous Thursday evening. The Society are to be congratulated on having given the public of Nelson a musical treat of the highest order, and it is to- be hoped that their nest work will ba equally successful-

Masonio.—The installation of the Worshipful Master of the Golden Bay Lodge will take place at the Freemasons' Hal!, Takaka, to-morrow evening, when Bro C G. Satohell will ba installed in the Master's chair. A number of brethren intend going from Nelson that tbey may attend the ceremony. An advertisement in this issue invites members of sister Lodges te the ceremony, and judging from tbe past those who go are certain of a very hearty welcome. Golden Bay.—Tha steamer Lady Barkly was to have proceeded to Golden Bay at four o'clock this after noun, bat her departure has been delayed till midnight in ordar to mate the convenience of a number of Fraemaions, who were desirous of attending the installation ceremony at tha Golden Bay Lodge. The steamer will leave on her, rettirn trip earlier than was previously announced. She is to sail from Waitapn for Nelson on Wednesday night, and this alteration will meet the convenience of those desirous of being present at the steepleohase meeting at Siobmond on Thursday, for the steamer will arrive in ample time to allow her passengers to go to the races. Wes_ Coast Cq__ Team.— The coal export from the West Coast is rapidly increasing. During the first five months of this year 61,268 tons were exported from Westport alene, ai compared with 40*952 tons for the corresponding months of last year. The total export of coal from Westport last year was 130,218 tons, but judging from the present output this year's total will far exceed that Quantity. During the month of May tbe exports were

From Westport.. .. 12,217 tona j From Greymouth .. 11,802 tons Total .. 24,019 tons A ksubeb of the Rabbit Board to-day said "if yon fence in rabbiti they cant get anything to eat, and I dont tee how they can live without eating." From this another member dissented as his experience famished lan instance that was net in accordance with the theory just advanced. "I fenced in a burrow, close round, and there was a big family of rabbits that lived, throve and got fat there. They lived and I say how did they do it ?" The theorist could say nothing against this practical illustration One sees the same thing in society continually; " How does he live ?' is a question eftener put than answered.—' Marlborough Express.'

SYNOP3IB ot NEW ADVERTISEMENTS— This following new advertisements appear in this morning's issue :—

Bailway timetable for Richmond racus Notice re puolicans' and bottle licenses Funeral notice of late Mrs Herman Notica re City Butchery Meeting of Golden Bay (Masonic) Lodge All Saints Churoh—Conversazione Ncbioe by A. C. Parmenter, tailor Strayed—a bay mare Sales by Bisley Bros & Cc Additions to timetable ss Lady Barkly Sharp & Sons have auction sales Special quotations by G. L. Beath & Co