RUSSIA IN THE EAST.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 196, 29 December 1876, Page 14

RUSSIA IN THE EAST.

A keen observer of the course of events in Europe at the present time has sent us the following important observations :: — • "If you take a good map of that part of Asia which is be tween Tashkend in the North and Attok in. the South, I am sure you will understand it well. The latest news from Tashkend is that General Skobeleff has advanced with his troops from Suja beyond Sali Kurgan aud that he is now near the Amu Daria (Oxus) on the left bank of its tributary the Kysil Su; the Kara Kinghis took to flight, and sought safety in the recesses of tbeir mountains. " You see, therefore, the Russians have passed the mountain range of Kashgar-Darvas, and are on the road of Vakhan, in the south of the Pamir Plateau in the west of the Bolbr Dagh. Thence a straight road in the river valley of the Amu Davia leads to Badakhshan, and thence further to Peshawur and K&shmere. The road from Badakhshan to the Indian frontier passing in the cast of Kafiristan does not offer so very great difficulties, and is well known to traders. This road from Khokan through Vakhan and Badakhshan is without doubt the easiest and shortest way to India. From Peshawur and Attok a road passes through the valley of the Panjkara to Drush and Mestrach. This latter place is a central point for the road leading to the Amu River, to the Indus valley and to Kashmere. Of course this new road will be of use to the Russians only when they have fortified themselves at the junction of the Kysil Su and the Ainu, and have made themselves masters (and that they will do it, you may rest assured, they never go backwards) of the territories of Vakhan. and Badakhshan, in the west of the Bolor Dagh. When that is done, and the road protected against robberies by Russian guns, a trading way between Europe and Asia is secured, and Russia and England will shake hands over a distance of about 150 English miles. — That's all 1 wanted to tell you. Is it not a nice prospect? Tell me, do you study Russian?" — ' Bombay Catholic Examiner.'