The Sun.
London, England, 1856-09-04 00:00:00

LONDON, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1856,

The value of " the introduction of the sharp
end of the wedge" has long been fully recognised
at St. Petersburg. It is a portion of the tradi-
tional policy inaugurated by PETER, and steadily-
kept in view l y his successors. Any aggression,
however trifling, furnished a precedent for others
of greater importance. It was, in fact, sowing
the seed riom whence a goodly crop of intrigue
and disturbance might eventually be gathered.
We have already seen the results obtained from
the quarantine establishments of Russia at the
mouths of the Danube, and how the pretended
anxiety of Russia for the health of the inhabitants
of the Principalities was made the plausible pre-
text for transferring their trade to Odessa. Any
claim or usurpation must therefore be carefully
and vigilantly investigated and strenuously re-
sisted. A single act of omission may lead to con-
sequences of a very serious character.
We cannot then feel surprised at the alarm
excited in the Turkish capital by the seizure of
the Serpents' Island. A barren rock may be of
little practical value, and the desire to maintain a
proper system of lights so as to afford greater
security to vessels trading to the Danube afforded
a specious excuse for the interference. But the
Ottoman Government has had painful experience
of Muscovite duplicity, and must be well aware
that there is no real intention to improve the
navigation of the river, at the bar of which, in
violation of every promise, the Russians permitted
so large an accumulation of sand and other oh
structions. There was but too much reason to
doubt even the fairest professions ; and the con-
tinued occupation of Kars, the wanton destruction
of Ismail and Reni, and the forcible occupation of
the island commanding the debouchure of the
river, more than justified the suspicion of some
secret projects in the Russian mind by no means
favourable to Turkish interests. The far-fetched
and pettifogging reasoning—the absurd character
of the pretexts—added to the doubts that must
have been entertained respecting so early a viola-
tion of the terms of the Treaty, in every particular
so peculiarly advantageous to Russia. The prompt
and decided conduct of the English Admiral sum-
marily disposed of the point. But it would have
been far better had the Russians abstained from
the abortive attempt, or hail our French Allies
exhibited similar resolution to enforce the condi-
tions of the contract entered into under their own
auspices, They have not done so, however, and
there is but too much reason to fear that the spirit
of Imperialism is in the ascendant, and that, ac-
cording to the time-honoured Scotch proverb,
"Hawks won't pick out hawk's e'en."
It is deeply to be regretted that Great Britain
is not better represented at Constantinople at the
present time. Lord STRATFORD, it is said, is in-
dulging in a fit of the sulks similar to that which
occasioned the fall of Kars. His pride and ar-
rogance appear to have been again roused ; and
for the gratification of personal pique, he is in-
flictingdeep, and possibly permanent injury, on the
national interests. He seams to exhibit a haughty
indifference to the progress of events, and main-
isolated position from those,
tains a completely
with whom it is his duty to keep up a frank and
cordial intercourse. Because he is not the absc-
lute dictator of Turkish politics—e„not
place or
displace the ministry at his mere will, he chooses
to hold aloof, and to disregard every point which
he was most closely bound to regard, in the in•
dulgence of his ill-temper.

How long will Lord Etzmaimox submit to