Page:England & Russia in Central Asia,Vol-I.djvu/131

ETTSSIA's military strength in central ASIA. Ill since the overtlirow of Sultan Jan by Dost Mahomed in 1863 Russian activity had slumbered in Persia and on the shores of the Caspian. The formation of a fresh Russian territory — ^with its future in its own hands — on the eastern shores of the Caspian in 1873 gave a fresh impetus to Russian schemes in that quarter where there is real danger to this country. General Lomakine is perhaps, of all the Russian generals in Asia, the man who is most to be feared, for he combines the dash of Scobelef to the practical knowledge of Kolpakoffsky and the calm prudence and scientific attainments of Abramoff. During five years Lomakine has guided affairs in Trans- Caspiania ; and already Russian authority is recognised in a wide belt of territory beyond the Caspian. In the Atrek region, and along the Kuren and Kopet Daghs, the power of the Czar's lieutenant has become something more than the semblance of a name. It is not our purpose to discuss here the relations between the Russian officers and the Turcomans, further than to say that the garrisons of Krasnovodsk and Chikishlar — the two principal posts of the Rus- sians on the further side of the Caspian — can dispose of a combative army of five thousand men, which can easily be strengthened from Baku. At the present time it appears probable that Russia has an army of over ten thousand men in Trans-Caspiania ; for not only has she established herself more firmly on the Atrek, but she has advanced far into the country of the Akhals. She has erected forts at Chat, near the junction of the