re there wanting more sinister motives
still among some of the chief general officers who filled the
subordinate posts in the service of the Czar's representative. Prominent
among them was the youthful Scobelef, who, burning to distinguish
himself, clamoured loudly for some expedition which, when accomplished
successfully, would be recompensed with the Cross of St. George. Strong
as General Kaufmann may really be in the good opinion of his superiors,
he was unable to resist, if he were inclined, the demands pressed upon
him by Scobelef and his father, and the more warlike portion of his
forces. It is said, that in addition to these palpable reasons there
were others touching the family rivalries of the Kaufmanns and
Scobelefs, who appear to have been at feud with each other when younger
men in the service of the palace, when Nicholas was Czar. To remove
these differences, and to satisfy the demands of his other subordinates,
General Kaufmann consented that an expedition should be arranged against
Kashgar, and entrusted to the command of the younger Scobelef. Towards
the end of 1874 the war-cloud was drawing ominously over the Athalik
Ghazi, and to all observers it seemed as if it were about to break with
destructive violence on his devoted head. Loudly was it asserted that
nothing but British intervention would save him, and it was only too
clear that England's policy would be guided by events. The Viceroy had
certainly not advised that an active participation should be undertaken
in this question. The failure, too, of the Granville-Gortschakoff
negotiations to define a neutral zone had convinced this country of the
inutility of solving the question between the two countries by treaty.
But it was not clear that, even if Kashgar were to fall into the power
of Russia, our interests would suffer so much as to justify us in
adopting an extreme remedy. The path being thus left clear for Russia
to strike, every precaution was taken by Generals Kaufmann and Scobelef
that the blow should be sharp and decisive. Not fewer than 20,000
Russian troops in all were to be directed against Yakoob Beg, who too
late now attempted some concessions to his neighbours. Such troops as he
could raise were massed in the neighbourhood of Kashgar, while another
force under his son was stationed at Aksu. But of the result there could
not be two opinions. Very few weeks' respite remained to the intended
victim, when an event occurred which changed the