THE KINGDOMS OF ASIA ARE DOOMED. 395 



and ensure a recognition of our Asiatic Empire as 

 aiming at the wellbeing and civilisation of all the 

 countries coming under its influence," ^ and there can 

 be few who will deny that in the gradual extension 

 of railways and the fostering of commercial inter- 

 course, together with the assumption of a firm atti- 

 tude at Constantinople, Teheran, and Peking, are to 

 be found the means at our disposal by which we may 

 seek to obtain our end. 



But while pursuing a policy which is directed towards 

 such a goal, it would be folly to postulate for it any 

 probability of finality. The life of the monarchies of 

 the ancient world may under skilful treatment be con- 

 siderably prolonged, but sooner or later collapse must 

 supervene. For " the kingdoms of Islam are crumbling," 

 and there is more than one Eastern ruler who may well 

 cry with the Amir of Kabul, 



" Around me a voice ever rings, 

 Of death, and the doom of my country ; 

 Shall I be the last of its kings ? " ^ 



To those who have eyes to see the fatal handwriting 

 is traced clearly upon the wall. The old order passeth 

 away, the kingdoms of Asia are being weighed in the 

 balance and found wanting, and the days that remain 

 to them are numbered. " The endeavour of the Great 

 Powers," writes Professor Vambery, " to secure the 

 independence and integrity of Persia has only an 

 abstract value, for maladministration, anarchy, and 

 Asiatic corruption have brought that country to the 

 verge of ruin. Its neighbours must needs reckon with 

 its forthcoming decay, and England has time enough 

 to make good the blunders committed and to protect 



1 " Our Commercial Policy in the East." A paper read before the 

 Central Asian Society by General E. F. Chapman, C.B. 



2 Verses written in India. Sir A. Lyall. 



