Page:England & Russia in Central Asia,Vol-I.djvu/138

118 118 ENGLAND AND RUSSIA IN CENTRAL ASIA. made. But there is need to be on our guard against the movements of Kaufmann as well, although the Turkestan army is much too weak and unprepared to attempt the invasion of India. The vanity of that general — his ignorance is perhaps more dangerous than the knowledge of wiser men — will impel him to vie with Lomakine in expeditions against the Turcomans either from Charjui or Khiva. And for such operations he possesses the resources and the necessary strength. The efficiency of these armies may also increase every year, and the degree of offensive power they possess depends almost exclusively on the lines of communication that exist between Central Asia and Europe. At present these are almost as bad as they can be ; but in a few years they will be better. Once they have been perfected, Russia's military strength will be most formidable. The certainty of that prospect carries a moral with it, which shall be considered later on, and with regard to which an unhesitating opinion must be expressed.