The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1853-08-30
From the London Times August
Important View Of the Russo---Turkish Question
Serious Aspect of the Affair.


1t is evident from the tone assumed by the
government on Tuesday evening, in both hou-
ses of Parliament and more especially by Lord
Clarendon in the House of Lords, that as we
approach the final crisis of this Eastern nego-
tiation, the confidence Of Her MJesty's Minis
fers in its successfut termination does NOT IN
crease. On the contrary, the conduct Of the
Russian authorities in the Principalities can
only be regarded as fresh proof Of the indiff-
erence of the imperial government to the rights
established by treaty in those provinces; and
power which appropriates the revenues of a
foreign territory, professedly held as a tempo
rary deposit, and in time of peace, is obnoxious
to the change of spoliation. What can be ex-
pected of the forbearance or justice of State
which has advanced thus far. and with such
entire recklessness, on the old track of ag-
gression and rapine: Or what confidence can
be placed in the assurances of Russia, when
every fresh incident that comes to our knowl-
edge affords increased avidity with which she
fastens on her preyl II was question whether
honor and the public interests of Europe re-
quired that the decisive resistance of Russia
should be made when her armies crossed the
Pruth; or whether room should still be left
for further negotiation. The cabinets of Wes-
tern Europe decided-we think wisely-in ia
vor the latter and more temperate of these
courses. The result has been, that we have
obtained, to a much higher object than before,
the concurrence and assistance of the German
States, and that all the world has seen the err
nest and undenable anxiety of the British and
French cabinets to avoid hostilties thus wan
tonly provoked. But beyond this it is impos-
sible to go. for, in the present state of affairs
in the East. it is certain that if Turkey were
compelled to yield an abject submission to de-
mands made upon her, she would be convulsed
by internal agitation even more fatal to her ex-
istencc than the attack of a foreign enemy,
and Russia would cease to be the aggressor on
ly to become the protector of her victim Tho
nature of the case, and the state of public feel
ing in the East, determine, therefore, the ex-
tent to which concessions can be carried. Be-
yond certain point they would become more
dangerous than war itself; but, short of that
point, there is no great reason to suppose that
they will induce tue Emperor Nicholas to low
er his demands, and to withdraw his armies,
aud to lend himself in good faith to the pacific
termination of this dispute.
Some of our contemporaries, and most of
the continental journals, have been msled by
the Importance attached to the negotiations
going on at constantinople, and to the inteli-
gence brought from Turkey by the Caradoc
and the Choptsl In reality nothing has been
prised at It; but, as we stated on Tuesday, tho
true seat the negotiations is Vienna, where
Austria takes the leading part in the confer
ence. But here again our contemporaries are
misinformed, when they state that the ultima
tum ofthe conference was despatched on the
24th or 25th of July, to st. Petersburgh, and
that the Emperor's answer may be known here
on the 10th of August. The last proposals of
the conferenced were not despatched to Vienna
till Sunday, or perhaps oven Monday last, and
they were sent to Constantinople before they
would reach ST. Petersburgh. If "a direct an
swer is received from both Courts at Vienna
with the least possible delay, tho interval
would be about fortnight; but it, as is proba-
Bile, communication has to be made from
Constant inople to st. Petersburgh, the delay
may be even longer. In the meantime, the
demand of the British government for explana-
ton as to the extraordinary and oppressive
conduct of the Russians in the principalities,
will arrive at 81. Petersburgh almost as soon
as the proposition from Vienna. and will
convince the Emperor that the time is
past when the mask in which he has hitherto
shrouded his policy, can still be worn. We
have right to insist on knowing upon what
pretext those provinces, with which we have
most extensive commercial relations, are thus
virtually incorporated into the Russian EN-
piro.
The internal measures of the Russian Cabi-
net are all of a warlike character. On the goth
of July, an ukase was published raising a levy
of seven men per 1000 on the population Of
the eastern half of the Empire; which is sup
posed to amount to 23,O00,OOO. At the same
time the arrears of men (three per l,000) who
had been exequated on tho last levy, are call
ed up, so that in some districts the conscrip-
pressure has begun to be felt for money to sup
port these enormous military preparations, and
tho executive government applied to the Min
lister of Finance for permission 10 use portion
Of the gold reserve deposited in the fortresses
ofthe crown. But this gold is the basis ofthe
Russian paper currency. and the Minister OF
Finance raised strong objections, which were
for tho present overruled, to tho appropriation
of any part of this fund. The Emperor then
applied to the Sacred Synod for loan of six
ty million roubles. That holy body expressed
their readiness to obey at all risks the imperial
commands, but alledged that they were the de-
positories of the property of the church for
the most sacred purposes, and held their purse
strings closed with ecclesiastical tenacity.-
Thus far these facts undoubtedly indicate the
financial weakness Of the Russian Government;
but, on the other hand it must be remembered
that if war were declared, especially if it as
sumed the cry of religious supremacy, not only
would these efforts be made, but far greater
sacrifices would be obtained from the enthusi-
asm of the people. Nothing, meanwhile, is
neglected, which can influence tho ambition
and national pride of the Russians, and even
tho language of public documents, is passion
ate and arrogant in the cxtreme-at present,
however, we are told, without much effect up
on the people. who do not believe their church
to be in any danger at all.
But the more the Emperor Nicholas assumes
this tone in his own dominions, the more does
he lower and contracts his influence on foreign
States. All his attempts to impose his policy
on the Courts Of Vienna and Berlin have failed /;
and even i'm the minor Courts the Russian di-
plomatists have not been more successful, Of
these tho most important is Denmark, because
she commands tho entrance of the Baltic, and
undoubtedly owes debt ofgratitude to Russia,