Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1840-10-21
Peace or War. How Stands the Game:

want is an exchange of intelligence.
Peace OF War. How Stands the Game:
One of the principal subjects Of inquiry, next to
the coming presidential election, is the probability
of var or peace in Europe, growing out Of the bonn
bardment of Beyrout. And, in fact this que ten
partakes of much higher character than any of our
local elections because result would alter the
entire character of our commercial and domestic
relations.
In all former between the great powers of
Earope, it has been the policy of this country to
keep much aloef possible and TO consider itself
nation totally separate and distinct in its interests
and feelings from any Of the powers Of the old world
Since then however the passage Of the Atlantic has
been reduced to mere ferry this week in
America, and the next week in France or England
We are mixed up completely by ties Of blood and
friendship, and commerce, and finance, and trade,
and science and literature, and speedy transit with
Europe until at last we have become part and par
eel, it were, Of the great congress Of European
nations T; have the same hopes, fears, and inte-
rests and what affects them, cannot any longer
be indiferentte.
The future aspect of affairs in Europe, therefore,
the highest interest to the people this country
in connection with this subject we have received
and France, and various pamphlets and periodicals
renting to the subject among others, the As,atic
Journal, the conductors OF which fully sp.
prised Of and thoroughly conversant with, the
state Of affairs in the East than those Of any other
journal in England We give important and interest
ing extracts from all these in another column, to-
gether with a map OF the probable seat Of war in
Egypt, and the position Of the contending fleets at
Alexandria, the head quarters Of Mehemet Ali, the
most remarkable of modern times.
The war question involves two very important
points the result in China, and that in Egypt. For
the present the China question may be very easily
disposed Of. The announcement Of the capture of
the forts the Bocca Tigris is unq uestonsbly pre-
mature there could not by any possibility have
been arrival at Bombay the I'D Of July, via
Calcutta, after the advance Of the British fleet had
reached Macao. The following remarks from the
"Asiatic Journal are conclusive this point -
.'There has been no ntellig ence from India or Chi
IA tins mORth OF much importance. Daring the past
month the public have had announcement OF in
formation having reached Bombay the latter end OF
July, that the British expedition had demolished
the forts at the Bocca Tigrs. The date of fhts IN
formation is sufficient to discrtdif IL.
We have given from the Singapore papers, (which
must know full details Of the sailing Of the expe-
dition from that, its place Of rendezvous and the
time when the expedition will have reached its des
tinasion cannot be calculated on with precision; but
II certainly could not arrive in time 10 enable let
Ter to reach Calcutta (of the date spoken off, Civ.
ing any account OF the operations the arrival at
the BOgue. Up 20 the end of May we have full ad-
vices from Macao, and no preparations for defence
haA been made there; although Lin began 10 talk OF
putting Canton IN a state Of defence, IL the English
should attack or take the Begue. No man acquaInt-
I'd with the state Of the Chinese forts and deence
-asd Of their navy, can suppose that they Offer
any efectual resistance TO the forces sent AGAINST
them. lfthe English attack, they will take Canton
and perhaps try TO take Pekis. But news of
a -. - -. a.
July"
With the Beyrout question. however. the case is
different. Authentic accounts 81 the commence
mert Of violent hossilites have reached us; but a,
the date of the departure OF the Acadia from En-
gland, there had not been time for France TO make
any demonstration in relation 90 the conduct of the
British Mediterranean feet. All the letters and
stafemeuts from England say that there will be
war; that Mehemet Ali will be kunbIed. and reds
eed to literal compliance with the exaetons Of the
four powers. without the expenditure ~ any very
great quantity of life, limb, blood. or runpowder
On the other hand all the French letter. and Jour
ssis breath holly and feroely ef war; and to Judge
from their tone, war is inevitable.
We must consider, however, that England doe.
~ot want war; although he has made every pos.
sisis demonstration Of her deteronaii-n to with
vieor ard promptitude. has struck the first blow;
yet that she has done for the purpose Of settling
III disPuies without a war. With France, the case
indifferent; ard she Ia. the turning weight Of the
scale Ia her hands; and the question Of war or
peace depends es,irely on her immediate move
.ests
There is, and there viii be, great anxiety 10 learn
bow France will think, feel and act, on this ques-
ticr. She 10 perfectly able to 90 into lsnx and
bloody war; her navy never was more powerful,
- she has about fifty the finest steamers that
ever 6osied Atsvery port 10 France, preparation.
ssr var going on in the most active manner.
A. Torrent, ~ large OF war were ready for sea;
and all the accounts IN all our French journals and
letters show that the activity which for some tine
past hs. been displayed in the arsenals and dock
yavds 81 France -. in no degree relaxed. Advices
from Cherhourg state that the Friedland three
decker, carrying one hundred and twenty guns, is
beisg fitted up with great rapidty, and that her cap
tsis has been appointed. Commanders have also
been appointed to the newly built frigstes the Csyp
and the Refine Blanche. ministerial dispatch
had beer received directing the central fort Of the
dixie &C Cherbourg, which defends the entrance of
tire harbour. to he mounted with twelve eighty
powders and twelve ofthirfy-sir.
AZ Tculon, great activity was observable in the
harbor. the roads Presentins formidable appear
ance. Amongst she ships AT snchor we're two Of