The reports that have been current of Russi om in the direction of the be well founded despite the contradictions of the Foreign Office, It is known that as far back as the 18tIt of last mouth, Captain Younghusband? was compelled tu withdraw from Bozai Gambaz to the Tagdumbash Pamir and furthermore that both that officer and Lieutenant Davison have now been practically forced to retire from the debateable territory, the Russians disputing their right to be on either the Lesser or the Alichur Pamirs without special permit. Captain Grombchevtsky's expedition, which was alleged to te of a purely scientific character, has therefore been gullly of deliberate aggre sion, and a situation has been created that, "ill certainly lead to a brisk exchange of views between Simla, London, and St. Petersburg, if not to graver consequences, 'There is no doubt that Russian activity on "The Roof of the World' for the attention that to the defence of Gilgit, of British officers to' that place. Pamirs would form the base of the third line of advance in the event of on, or demonstration against, Tudi descent would be made on Gilgit with a view to detach a large portion of our' force for the defence of Kashmir. It is, therefore, of the greatest importance that, if the Pamirs cannot remain neutral ground, we should know what is going on in that direcmn. If war really broke out, a flank diversion such as that the Russians undoubtedly have in mind would be a most serious matter, provided we were unprepared for it, With. Gilgit strongly garrisoned the movement would not be sv troublesome, though it is not one that can in any case be contemplated without grave concern.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.