Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1810-07-31
Ditalilta Arg,ls.
RIG H Nj Q N d,
aRUMoRS OF WARS
TUESDAY. July 81, 1910.


veys to US two rumors, of very diff.
ferent character, and totally incompa-
tible with each other, to wit: The
first, which we think well-founded, is,
that a coalition has taken place be-
tween France, Austria, and Russia,
to drive the Turks out of Europe |:
And the second, that a coalition is a.
bout to take place between Great Bri-
tain, Sweden, Russia, and the Porte,
against Austria and France. The
changes inthe politics of Europe have,
indeed, been continually Hnctuating
ever since Bonaparte's accession to the
French throne !; but the veri6cation
of this latter rumor would certainly be
an .absurdity, the like whereof was ne.
yer before exempli6ed, not even in
the Quixotic reign Of Paul the mad.
Before Russia can unite with the
Turks, the emperor Alexander, (who
appears tobe sensible many must re.
liaquish every maxim of policy adopt
ed and enforced by Catharine the
Great; maXims under the influence of
which Russia has been more aggran-
died than under the crude and eccen-
tric course of all The Muscovite rulers
who preceded 'Catharine. Her policy
was to keep good terms, as far as
possible, with her Christian neigh
bors, and to push hcr.conquests on the
side of Turkey. 1t is believed that
share OF the spoils of European Tur-
key were the promised price on the
part OF Bonaparte which purchased
the cooperation of Alexander in the
late Austrian war. Besides, it is not
credible, after the perdition Of Prus.
STA, that the Russian monarch would
acquiesee In a war made by the French
upon Austria, and then undertake, In
conjunction with the motley bands of
undisciplined Mussclmen, to over.
throw the power of France and Aus.
tria united. The introduction of Swe-
den into the coalition, casts an air of
,ridicule over the rumor for, what
military force can Sweden contribute
to war against the French and Aus
trians! Sweden, broke down by her
late wars, distracted by the intrigues
OF the crown, the discontents of her
mobiles, and with a geographical posi-
ton which alone has been the cause of
her salvation, will, we imagine, be
glad to find In re2osc balm for the
wounds she has received from the
Russians in Finland and from the
French in Pomerania, whilst she was
under the whimsical control of her
deposed and wandering sovereign
AS to Turkey, what motive could in
duce her to unite with Russia? Poll
cy would dictate to the divan. If
choice between Russia and France
must be made, to select France for
her ally because she is the more re-
mote, and If successful not so likely to
encroach ION the Turkish provinces.
The weakness of Russia is, essentially,
the strength Of Turkey. We are
speaking, however, without reference
to Austria; whose contiguity to the
possessions of the Porte, would ena-
bic her, it aided by the armies of Ma
poleon, to pierce into the very heart
of European Turkey with the great
est ease.--On the other hand, the pro-
ject of driving the Turks out of Eau
rope is corroborated by the political
interests of France, Austria, and Rus
STA; and tits an undertaking which will
combine in its favor all the zeal Of the
Christians, stimulated to the highest
pitch of enthusiasm by the prospect of
rich plumber from the inhdeI Mos
lens. The expulsion of the Turks
from Europe will in all probability, be
the cause of a speedy dissolution of
their political power for, take Con-
stanIinople from them, and what city
will remain to them through which to
give tone and new vigor 10 an enfee-
bled polity! The rumor of coaliti-
on between Great Britain, Russia,
the Turks, and Sweden, however, lead
us to a fresh conjectui c, which is this /:
that the English arc about TO abandon
Spain and Portugal, and hence the ne.
cessity of amusing John Boil with
new hopes of a coalition in the North
of Europe. The sending of more
troops TO Portugal does not at all
weaken this surmisc, for more troops