Thus it may possibly arise from their individual
interest in their national position that there is no better
natural geographer in the world than the Afghan of the Kabul
district. There is often an exactness about his method of
imparting information (sometimes a careful little map drawn out
with a pointed stick on the ground) which would strike one as
altogether extraordinary, but for the reflection that this one
accomplishment is probably the practical outcome of the
education of half a lifetime.
Russia's bases of military operations towards India are two: one
on the Caspian Sea at Krasnovodsk, and Chikishliar, with
outposts at Chat and Kizil Arvat; and the other on the line of
Khiva, Bokhara, Samarcand, and Margillan, which may roughly be
said to represent the frontier held (together with a large
extent of boundary south of Kuldja) by the Army of Tashkend,
under General Kaufmann. But between this latter line and the
Oxus, Russia is undoubtedly already the dominant Power. The mere
fact of Russia having already thoroughly explored all these
regions, gives her the key to their future disposal.
Pages:
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131