'Russia, India and the Persian Gulf' [‎4r] (7/46)

The Western Frontiers of India.
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of a future in which Asiatic Russia will mean all Asia;
bonds historical and ethnographic unite the Russians with
the peoples from the Caspian to the Ganges and the
Deccan.” The intervening countries of Persia and Afghan
istan would be merely subjected to what the Prince calls, in
a surely inimitable phrase, “ painless identification with
Russia.” Again, “No one”—that is, no one in Russia—
“ has any intention of attacking England in Asia. England
cherishes a rooted, though totally unfounded conviction,
that the Russians are consciously drawn to the Indus and
the Ganges. What calls up a smile to our lips appears a
real threat to Albion, and to some extent is of advantage
to us, for when portions of the North-West drop into
their hands they seem to form fresh Gordian knots, causing
heavy subsidiary expenses, especially for military purposes
and increasing financial disorder. Of course we do not
need India, butwe are and must be supported by the mythical
idea of an ever possible advance of the irresistible north
over the Hindu Kush, the practicability of which history
has proved.” It may safely be affirmed that history proves
nothing of the kind, for no Western Power after subduing
Turkestan and the Central Asian Khanates, has proceeded
through the further Mohammedan region of Afghanistan,
armed to the teeth as it now is, to passes manned by tribes
at the least hating a new anti-Mohammedan invader as
much as ourselves, to find the powerful army of India before
and behind the Indus, awaiting the starved survivors of a
mad march. I dwelt upon this subject in an article entitled
the “ Czar’s Friend,” in the Fortnightly Review for April,
1901, and can now only say that after some study of this matter
in Russia, Persia, and India, in which countries as an inter
preter in Russian, Persian, and Hindustani I had at least
some means of acquiring information, I firmly believe that
Ukhtomsky is as open and truthful in regard to this invasion,
as he obviously was in respect of Russian designs upon
China, which ten years ago he frankly unfolded. True the
contrary intention is continually asserted in Russian journals,