The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-12-12
The News frDna Europe Prospect OF an
AnfI-Ltnssyan Alliance.

AEti-ktnsssan Alliance.
Whatever foundation there may have beea
for the rumor that The British cabinet had de-
cced upon war against Russia, the news
brought by the Arctic tends strongly to con-
firm the impression it was calculated to pro-
duce. We are informed, on authority which
seems hey ond dispute, that treaty has been
signed by which France and England gnarau-
tee to protect Turkey against the Car. Aus
tria and Prussia are invited TO join the ma
rltime Powers; and powerful leader from
the Times. which will be found else
where, places the case before them SO squarely,
that they can hardly adhere to a neutral
policy. The exact terms of the treaty have not
TRANSFERRED but enough is known OF its tenure
to show that fulhment OF its provisions will
be Inconsistent with the pacific attitude hither-
to maintained by the Western powers. Its exc
cuton is thus a matter of serious Importance
1t can hardly be doubted that the first conse
quence of a notification to the Gear, of such an
alliance between England, France and Turkey,
would he a declaration Of war by Russia
against the protectors Of its promised victim.
Nor can we hesitate in deciding what course
the British cabinet and the French Emperor
would pursue in such contingency. A gene
raj European war would be the inevitable re-
suit.
In connection with these important diploma
tic movements, the confirmation of our previous
intelligence respecting the state of affairs on
the Danute and in the East must be regarded
as interesting. The Turks had retreatsd across
the Danube not in consequence of any advan-
tage gained by the enemy, but because their
position at Oltenitza was untenable. The ma
noeuvre appears to have been executed with
skill ard success, and without loss, either OF
men or of heart. Ismail Pacha's detachment
still occupies Kalefat, opposite Widin. The
Russians command the roads between these
points and Bucharest; and it was expected that
the next battle would take place in the vicini-
ty of Krajova near the western extremity Of
the Russian line. On the whole, fortune seems
hitherto to have favored the Turks. Their po
sition is said by military men to be the best of
the two; and we hear nothing that would lead
US to believe that the zeal and courage with
which the campaign was commenced has begun
to flag. From Asia, likewise, we learn that the
report of the Turkish successes near Batoum
was strictly correct; the Russians having been
repeatedly rcpulsed in their attempts to
recapture their fort. Omer Pacha had
received letters of congratulation from Con-
stantinople; and the Sultan, who politely de-
clined the last overtures towards negotiation
made by the English and French ambassadors
had presented him with superb charger. The
net result of this will OF course, be to embitter
the struggle. Russia cannot recede under the
stigma Of defeat, and success is not likely to
have rendered Turkey more plant to the Cars
demands. 1t may be that the winter will be
spent in comparative inaction by all parties
The cold weather on the Danube is usually Sc
we're; and though campaigns have been pro-
longed into the winter months by Napoleon,
such course involves responsibility which
few generals would be anxious to assume II,
on the other hand, Gotschakoff should decide
on attempting the passage Of the Danube, the
events Of the next few weeks might decide the
campaign so far as Turkey is concerned. and
leave the final issue to the arbitrament of the
Western Powers.
sagc and other Doc uments,
We find in the Washington Union the follow
ing paragraph, written with view of excul-
pating the President, his Secretary, and his
Cabinet from the-charge of participating in the
recent robbery Of the public documents =
1t is hardly necessary for us to say that the nsinu
atons OF New York city newspapers, that the Times
and Tribune obtained advance comics of the Prey.
a h;s
private secretary, or some member of his Cabinet is
utterly aod entirely false. 1t is neither necessary for
US to suggest that such insnuatioDs as shameless
and depicsbe in the eyes of truthful and honorable
men, as thsy are mendacious The insinuation made
AGAINST those having charge of the message in the
Union Office is equally false and untounded. The
newspapers in New York which published the mes.
sage in advance Of the delivery by the postmaster
must have obtained their copies either by stealth or
bribery, or some other indirection.
This appears to be explicit and straight for
ward. In the face of it, few will adhere to the
belief-which the bare facts suggested that
some one in authority at Washington was privy
to the felony. We, at all events cannot do
otherwise than place prim0 .facie reliance on
the emphatic denial of the Presidents organ.
1t now remains for the four journalistic
Times and Tribune, of New York, the .Ne,c
exculpate themselves from the charge so clear
ly fastened upon them by the Union, Of having
obtained the documents by stealth, bribery,
or other inltrection." These terms are vague,
and liable to misconception let us translate
them into plain English, by the blunt term
robbery. The four journals above-men-
toned owe it to themselves to the charac-
ter they have claimed, and to their
standing in the press, to clear themselves
Of so offensive an imputation. Hitherto. they
have claimed a position Of peculiar eminence,
on the strength of their unusual morality, inte-
gritty, and scrupulous adherence to principle.
1t has been common for them to allude to their
rivals as unscrupulous, unprincipled and reck-
less and from the indignant tone in which
they have been accustomed to illuminate these