ABSTRACT
The story of Kashgar has chronologically outrun events in the main field to which we now return. The Khivan campaign had widespread repercussions and one which has escaped due notice was von Brunnow’s reaction. Like other Baltic Germans he had served two Tsars faithfully and well, but over nearly 40 years he had become almost more a referee than a participant. Latterly he had observed the rising power of the Conservative party in Britain and that it was becoming increasingly irritated by Liberal supineness in the face of Russia’s latest gains. He was so disturbed at the effect the campaign against Khiva would have on British opinion that he took the extreme step of writing direct to the Tsar, which he was entitled to do, but it naturally annoyed Gorchakov. One consequence was the despatch of Count Shuvalov to allay British fears. Von Brunnow was highly pleased with the assurance conveyed by Shuvalov from the Tsar that the expedition was purely punitive and that no permanent occupation was intended. But the episode came at the end of von Brunnow’s long term of office, for he was succeeded by Shuvalov in 1874. His pacifying influence was a great loss to both countries. He died in the following year.
