The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-06-29

From the London Times. June Is.

strongly felt by our neighbors, the French, than
by ourselves, and accordingly we were prepared
for the violent alterations OF hope and apprehen
sion on the Eastern question which are conveyed
to us from day TO day by the telegraph from Paris
But, IN reality, we have already shown that it ia
extremely improbable that any important occur
renee should take place, or any material change
be announced IN the present course of events un-
til we have had time to learn the result of the mes
sage conveyed by the last Russian courier 10 Con.
stantnople; and, az the period assigned to his
COMMISSION Will not expire till about the 10TH ii is
Impossible we should know the consequences Of
his communication much before the end of the
present month. la the mea ntime, as the Russian
government has distinctly intimated to all Europe
that 1t ls resolved TO adhere to its demands, and
that in the event of failure it will seek for redress
by the occupation of the Principalities ii is absurd
to suppose that any other of proceeding will
be simultaneously pursued, and that negotiations
can be opened with any effect elsewhere than at
Constantnople and st. Petersburgh. From the
latter pta each successive statement strengthens
the belief that Prince Menschikof correctly repre-
scented the intentions and instructions of bis gov
eminent, that he has been fully approved and that
there ls now intention of reverting into a less
dangerous path. With these facts before US which
seem to be the only facts that this instant be
known with precision, we see nothing to explain
or justify the favorable turn which has been given
TO public opinion in Paris, except that as the
danger of war had been somewhat exaggerated on
one day, 1t was rather too easily dispeled on the
next, the truth being that the state of affairs re-
maine wholly unchanged.
We therefore attribute these attempts to obtain
credence for more favorable intelligence to the
strong desire OF certain parties, and probably of
the French government, to counteract the heavy
TALL on the Bourse at Paris, at any rate to carry
on with additional chances the enormous specuIs-
tons which these events have occasioned The
agents OF the Russian government, too, have Of
course contributed, by their language and assur.
ances, to lessen the apprehensions and to suspend
the preparations Of the States opposed TO the de-
signs of the Emperor Nicholas, and probably the
mission of Count Panin to Paris has no other
Ii was already well known in this country, and
we ourselves had publicly stated, that in the same
despatch In which the Emperor of Russia commu-
nicated to the other courts of Europe his intention
OF sending back the proposal of Prince Mensch-
koh by common courier, and of occupying the
prlnclpaltles IN the event of further refusal, ne
disclalmed any further intention OF overthrowine
the Ottoman empire, or even OF making war upon
it, But after the occurrences of the last few weeks
we cannot regard such declaration as anv thing
more than one OF those articles of diplomatic Ian,
guage In which 1t Is customary to give mild and
qualified expression TO very unwelcome facts. The
occupation of the Danubian principaties may not
amount to positive and necessary casus bella Ye
hdUe oppressed an opinion that 1t is polite, under the
present aspect Of oairs, not to regard IL SUCH but
TO concentrate the offensive forces e Turkey behind
the Danube.
Whatever may be the preparations of the Rus
sian army the passage of that great river is both
IN military and political sense, a difficult and
critical operation and before it is accomplished
we have little doubt that further negotiations will
take place. But the occupation of the principali-
ties is measure which would prove indecisive
precisely because it is, comparatively speaking
sale and easy. The unfortunate inhabitants of
those provinces have repeatedly endured the hard
ship of being overrun by Russian armies and
scarcely two years have elapsed since the Russian
troops were withdrawn, after having exhausted
the country, and then exacted military contri-
button of 600 900 for their maintenance But the
occupation would have no positive effect on the
obligations or the interests OF Turkey, and though
it may give the Emperor of Russia territorial
qualification to hold these provinces for a certain
period, it would not bring him step nearer to
the concession which he instructed Prince Mems
chikof to demand. If the court ofRussia intends,
as 1t has announced, to persist in endeavoring to
impose on Turkey the terms which il has put for
ward with reference 10 the Eastern Church, it is
evident that, even after the occupation of the prn
cipaliues has taken place, the same imperious
summons will be repeated, and that the next step
Will lead to more serious rupture, unless some
expedlent or compromise be assented to in the
meantime We do not affirm that such a COM
promise ls impossible; we hope and believe such a
compromise will be made but il Ia evidently a
mistake TO assert that mediation has been &C
cepted at the very time when an alltm0tlGn has
been presented, 10 which the Russians, of course
profess TO expect that the Porte will submit.
On these grounds, although the door lie certainly
not closed against negotiation in any~i form con-
sstent with the independence of the Christian
subjects of Turkey from Russian domination, the
Western powers are quietly, but prudently, pre-
pairing to support their line of policy against any
contingency that may arise. Already our naval
intelligence has recorded that squadron of line
of-battie ships, fitted with screw propeers, is
being formed at Spithead, and may soon be ex-
pected to proceed to the Downs to Yarmouth
Roads We may add that this squadro will pro-
baby be reinforced within few days by the re-
turn of Admiral Cory from his cruise; for the
dispatches sent out by the Banshee in search of
that officer were not, generally believed
that ne should join Admiral Dundas; but, the
contrary, TO order his immediate return to Eng
land. The strength of the English and French
fleets IN the Mediterranean lie already more than
equal to any service they could be required 10 per-
form; but If, unfortunately, maritime operations
should be required, it s OF course necessary that
the British admiralty should be in condition 10
watch the Russian feet in the Baltic, which is not
inferior IN force 10 The feet in the Black Sea- and
we ought also IN case of need be prepared to close
that outlet of the Russian empire,
These precautions not more than sufficient
TO provide against the emergency which has been
produced by the attitude assumed by Russia; and
until we learn that the abnet of st. Petersbursh
has desisted from the inadrnissbe part of its de-
mands, we shall see no reason TO relax the vigi.
lance with which it is necessary watch its pro-
ceedings. Russian Ministers and emissaries have
been despatched In all directions TO give iavora-
bic version OF their at the different courts of
Europe, to throw the blame of Prince Menschikof,e
proceedings on Lord Stratord de Radcliffe and 10
SOW division between the British government and
It's allies abroad But as the effect they are seek
HS w ptouoSO 10 iOt accompanied by any DraCQ-
cal modification OF the preteutions of Russia, we
have yet to learn what the altered state of pub
lie opinion is founded; and the intelligence we
shall eventually receive from ConstantinopIe can
alone warrant any certain conclusion. In the
meantime, Russia has succeeded TO a certain ex-
tent In famiarizng the public mind of Europe
with the occupation of the Danubian principali-
ties, because the consequences Of that measure TO
Austria and Turkey would be rather indirect than
immediate. But even that step is one OF extreme
Importance; and though it may not be made an
immediate ground of war, it is event which
will long continue unfavorably to affect the pacific
relations Of several States in Europe.
WATER THROUGH LEAD PIpEs.--We are fire.
quenty told of the deleeroug effect upon the avs.
tenn of water which passes through a lead pine.
but only occasionally are made sensible of the
extent of the danger. Several days ago gentle
man living several miles out of the city caught
couple OF trout and placed them in a trough, the
water OF which was supplied through lead pipe,
intending to keep them there. In lees than three
hours they were both dead. Suspicious of the
reason OF this sudden death, be determined to
make another trial. and he placed in the trough
another trout. The same result follow ed in less
tlme and he considers ii settled fact that trout,
native OF the pure sparkling stream, cannot live
IN lead-lmpregnated water. If such water is poi
sonous enough to kill fishes, cannot be without