as the soviet government continues to make sedulous efforts to extend russian influence in afghanistan, negotiations are commenced for a russo-afghan trade convention, and there is a steady infiltration of russians prospecting for oil round herat and in afghan turkestan. the afghan government looks with disfavour on this activity, and it becomes genuinely alarmed at russian designs when, near the end of december, russian troops occupy an island in the oxus at darkad, which has always been regarded as afghan territory, overpowering two afghan posts by which it was held.