Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-10-06

The RUSSIAN NAVY AT JAPAN.-The presence
of considerable Russian fleet among the ma
tives of the japanese islands had created quite
sensation in that quarter of the world. 1t ap-
pears to have been understood at Amsterdam
that the Russian government had resolved to
resist the attempt OF the Americans against
Japan; and that this feet was intended for that
purpose. And we are further informed that
:" the Dutch government is said to be pleased
at this determination of the cabinet Of St. Pc
tersburg, as the Americans also threaten the
Dutch Archipelago"
Now, it is quite possible that the Dutch gov
ernment, which, for long time past, has had
the monopoly of the Japanese trade, NAV feel
some Jealousy touching the designs OF the United
States-it is quite possible that the Dutch
cabinet may entertain the fear that the mission
of Commodore Perry to Japan is to annex that
empire to this country, and that he is also in.
strueted to appropriate some of the best islands
OF the Dutch Archipelago on his return home,
according tothe principles of manifest destiny"
with all the modern improvements" But the
emperor Nicholas has other objects to compass
besides watching the movements of Commodore
Perry. The vast Russian empire in Asia is
without seaport. It's great rivers emptying
into the Arctic Ocean are useless, from being
locked up at their estuaries in perpetual ice.
The Gar wants one outlet into the Pacific
for his Asiatic territories; and the river Seq
halim, emptying into the sea of Ochotsk, and
open at its mouth all the year round, offers the
very place for Pacific seaport which he de.
sires True, it belongs to China but all that
is required to secure it is a proclamation from
the deck of a ship-ofwar to that effect, and
the erection of small fertilization command
ing the mouth of the river. The present revo-
luton in China offers strong temptation for
this seizure, and for the extension of the Rus
sian doctrine Of annexation indefinitely to the
southwark. Such, perhaps, is the ultimate de-
sign of this Russian feet in the waters of Japan
At all events, Commodore Perry has shown
that it is extremely absurd on the Pnrt Of tho
Russian squadron to attempt to keep up with
his movements.
But the policy of Russia is to stretch her
arms to the sea in every possible way. At
present though all powerful on the continent,
she is comparatively weak upon the ocean, from
of the pertinacity of her claims upon Turkey.
The Gear desires the command Of the eastern
straits Of the Mediterranean from the immense
commercial and naval advantages which such
occupation would bestow. Nor is Denmark,
with her seaports in the west, perfectly safe
against the great plan of Nicholas, which is
simply, by the appropriation Of the territories
Of her neighbors on all sides, to render the
strength Of Russia as great upon the water as
upon the land. This policy is indispensable TO
the fulflment Of the programme Of Peter the
Great, which contemplates the absolute power
of peace or war over the whole continent Of
Europe.
We think, therefore, that instead of the Rus.
slams watching the movements of Commodore
Perry, he had better watch theirs, in reference
to the integrity of the Chinese empire.
~. 2. Herald.