ASIA. 



against Karategin, a khanate situated south of 

 Khokan, which by the English is sometimes 

 regarded as belonging to Afghanistan, while the 

 Russians regard its ruler as a vassal of Bok- 

 hara. Russian accounts suspect that Yakoob 

 Khan, the ruler of Kashgar, while professing 

 friendship for the Russians, has treacherously 

 instigated the new troubles in Central Asia. 

 The immediate annexation of the whole of 

 Khokan was demanded by prominent organs 

 of the Russian Government as indispensable. 

 (See RUSSIA and KHOKAN.) 



The English diplomatists in India are watch- 

 ing the steady advance of Russia with increas- 

 ing anxiety. One of the most important Eng- 

 lish publications on the Central Asiatic question 

 is the new work by Major-General Sir Henry 

 Rawlinson, "England and Russia in the East." 

 We give, under the head of Afghanistan and 

 other Central Asiatic states, the views of this 

 British statesman, who regards the situation as 

 so critical that he does not hesitate to say 

 that, "if Russia should overstep certain limits 

 in her approach to India, she must be checked 

 by an armed resistance, even at the risk of 



producing war between the two countries." 

 On the advice of the English statesmen, the 

 Prince of Wales paid a visit to the British pos- 

 sessions in India. The treacherous murder of 

 Mr. Birch, the British resident at Perak, to 

 which all the native rajahs were believed to be 

 accessory, led to a British expedition against 

 the Malays. Serious difficulties prevailed dur- 

 ing a part of the year between the English 

 Government in India and the King of Bur- 

 mah. (See INDIA.) 



The youthful Emperor of China died in Jan- 

 uary, having not yet completed his twentieth 

 year, and having carried on the government 

 for only two years. No civil disturbances fol- 

 lowed this event, and the government of the 

 vast country is peaceably administered by the 

 uncles of the late Emperor in the name of his 

 successor, who is still a mere child. The Chi- 

 nese Government is still making warlike prep- 

 arations to reconquer Kashgar, but no oper- 

 ations of an important character had been re- 

 ported to the end of the year. The fanatical 

 hostility to foreigners continues to prevail in 

 many parts of China, and again cause repeated 



