Page:England & Russia in Central Asia,Vol-I.djvu/203

183 Russia's relations with Bokhara. 183 temporal advantages. The army which he is permitted to retain numbers some twenty thousand men ; but it is of the most nondescript character, and wholly unadapted for modern warfare. He bears precisely the same relation to Russia that the Khan of Khelat signature of the Treaty of 1854. The principal strategical points within his frontier, such as Charjui, may be garrisoned whenever Russia deems fit; and a right of way has been obtained to the Oxus. Ten years and more have elapsed since these events, yet there is no more instructive paper on the subject than the statesman-like memorandum of Sir Henry Rawlinson (dated July 20th, 1868). Samarcand had not then fallen, but a fortified post had been erected at "Jizakh almost within hail of Samarcand, bearding the Ameer, as it were, in the high place of his power, encouraging the malcontents throughout the province, and holding out a standing menace of invasion." The consequences of that act were clear. Bokhara and Khokand would cease either in substance or in form to be independent governments. That was the prediction, and it has been verified. We may expect it to be realised to the letter the moment the present Ameer dies. He has no successor who would be absolutely pleasing to the Russians, and he has several relations who lay claims to the succession who would be positively displeasing to them. That event may be expected to produce the actual dismemberment of the Bokharan State and its incorporation with the government of Turkestan. At the present moment, and under the conditions that exist, the Bokharan