The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-04-10
The Critical State OF Affairs I'm EurOpc-Thc
Attitude OF Russia-Thc Possibility OF a
European War.

From the London Times, March III
We advert with reluctance to subject which
threatens not only TO add a serious cause OF dis
sension to the numerous controversies and dis
putes now affecting and dstracting Europe, but
which has already occasioned some GOODNESS be-
tween the British government, and that cabinet Of
the North with which IT Is at this time our espe-
cia interest to MAINTAIN amcable relations. But
the manifest alarm of the Turkish government, and
its active preparations for defence-the attitude Of
the British Ambassador at Constantinoplc-the
language attributed to the last communications of
the British cabrnet-and above all, the tone re-
Gently assumed by the Emperor of Russia himself
are facts calculated to give far more importance TO
the present state of the Eastern question than has
Of late been attached to it. must be acknowledged
that at no period siace the rcroiutton of february
has the aspect of Europe been less pacific In Italy,
the outbreak of hostilities is daily expected; in
Denmark the armistcc expires next week, with no
immediate indication that the prellminarles of
peace will be signed within that period; at Frank
fort the scheme of a. German empire has been re-
vived by Weker, IN the form most hostile to
Austria. in Hungary the war is carried. on with
doubtful success and not without the assistance OF
q dangerous and costly ally; at Gacta conferences
are about to open between the Catholic powers,
of arms. All Europe is filled with wars and rumors
of wars, save that, by marvellous exception,
which still gives us hopes of peace, the French
nation have learned by their. recent .misfortunes,
the necessity of adhering to that pacific and con-
servativc policy winch the government of LOUIS
Napoleon practses in concert with this country.
We had hoped, and we have not yet ceased to
hope, that the Emperor of Russia, clearly discern
ing the causes of the manifold disorders of these
times, would steadily reserve the influence of his
government, and the of his empire, to up
hold and assist by lawful means, the restoration of
those principles Of authority and right which have
been openly violated, and that, without display
ing any arbitrary intention of interfering in the in
tcrnal affairs of other countries he would hold him
self in readiness to combine with other stable GO
vernments, whereverjustce and the peace of Europe
might require such protection. That temperate
and dignifed policy which the Russian cabinet
has hitherto pursued, would naturally insure to it
fair and useful influence in the affairs of the Bal
tic, in the alliances of Germany, and even, less
directly, in the arrangements Of Southern Europe;
but such policy is wholly at variance with the
prosecution of selfish and ambitious schemes in
The East If we are to hold that the Emperor Of
Russla is capable Of taking advantage OF the pre-
sent distracted state Of Europe to turn his own
arms against the Ottoman empire, he has direct
interest in aggravating the confusion which has
paralyzcd the world He must be perfectly aware
that democratic governments, Just emerging from
revolutions still struggling with social anarchy,
are wholly unable to oppose any serious resistance
to the military execution Of projects, which at any
other period would have called forth the opposition
of every Statesman and every army IN Europe.
But he must also be aware, that such an underta-
king would cs.rarge his' government from every