Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1853-03-25
Wars and Rumors of wars.


Wars and rumors of wars always form SO exciting
an item of intelligence that need not wonder II
Washington City correspondents and other news
mongers. are quite apt at predicting the "lne'l'a
ble occurrence of hostlties with somebody or some
thing very soon, if not much sooner One OF the
corresnondents Of the Baltimore Sun declares war
with England certain to happen within the year. on
account of difficulties in Central America, arising
ont Of British Colonization there in contraventon OF
the declared policy of this country. For our own
mart we do not regard war with England at al
probable There too many causes which Will
interfere to prevent it,-among the hrst ana most
powerful of which the interests OF the two coun-
tries. The United States has too much al stake to
risk II on short preparations so has Great Britain
and besides the probabilities of European war are
much stronger and will seriously and powerfully in
auence the course of England, which cannot afford
to 60 to war with us, when threatened with most
critical struggle in its own hemsphere-a struggle
which NAV resolve itself into strife for existence.
The European question of the age is the fate of
the Turkish Empire The Northern Powers having
rarttioned of Poland now long perform the same
operation upon Turkey: and, indeed, Russia and
Austria have only been prevented from carrying
VI
the nations of Western Europe, who are jealous of
the overshadowing preponderanee which SO great
an accession Of territory would give-especally to
Russia, which, by the acquisition of the Turkish
possessions on the Mediterranean, would become,
what she has long been seeking to be, a maritime
power.
And further than this, the intcrposition ofTurkey
between Russia and the East Indies, is considered
essential by the English to the safety of their posses
sions there upon which Russia is supposed to be
casting covctoas eye and, of course, British policy
is doubly anxious for the maintenance of system
which, while it maintains the & balance of power,
inerposes shield to her own possessions.
Recently the hereditary ruler-half Priest and
half Prince-of small district of sem-savages, sub
ieci TO the Sultan undertook to throw off the Turk
ish yoke, no doubt insgated thereto by Russia and
Austria. These people, known Montenegrns
number about one hundred thousand, and claim tc
be christians of the Greek Church. of which the En-
peror of Russia procaims himself head. They are
pretty we'll known as robbers-had refused to pa.
their tribute and committed depredatons upon thu
other peaceable Inhabitants Of the Empire. Accor
dinghy, Turkish force was sent against them, anc
they were soon very emphatcaIly logged by tht
Sultans troops. under some of the best officers IL
Europe, who had distinguished themselves in TIL
Hungarian struggle and subsequently,, when forced
to fly into Turkey, adopted Mahometsm. Turke!
offers extremely liberal terms to these conquered
rebels, but Austria and Russia, presuming to inter
fere, because the rebels were Christians, attempt L
dictate humiliatng terms TO the Turkish authorize
to demand, upon frivolous pretences, the surren
der Of portions of Turkish Territory and the aban
dOnment of many of the rights ofsovereignty in 9th
er portions. To these arrogant demands the Sub
lime has returned dignifed negative, and it is I'm
derstood that this has been under the sanction an
guarantee of England and France. The Nortber
Powers must, therefore, recede, there will b
what somebody improperly but expressively terme
'one h-ll of fght.'
Any European war may be all conjecture per
haps it is, but it is certain that it hangs heavily
the Eastern hemisphere; and it is equally certain
that while things remain they are, England Wi
not lightly engage in a with the United State
alarmiSts to the contrary notwithstanding.
There some people who are fond of predictir
the necessary result of the assumption ar
maintenance of proper and dignifed attitude
the part of the United States. This is all folly.
is the best plan to avoid it.