Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-08-23
The Coming European War-Will We be-
como Involved in iti

como Involved in it
The adyices brought by the two last
arrivals from across the Atlantic are con-
coded to indicate speedy state of war.
This change is the result of two causes.
First: Russia has practically assumed
sovereignty over the Principalities, not
long since entered by her troops, under
the pretence of mere occupation. The
Cars officers have forbid, and are pre-
venting the payment of the dues of the
people there to the Turkish Government,
and are recruiting their army by forced
consumption of the young men of these
Principalities. Indeed, they are conduct
ing themselves as though they were in
territory which had acknowledged no
other sovereign than that of Russia, for
the last century. They are further pre-
pairing to invest various Turkish fortified
places within striking distance, avowing
that determination, in order to induce
their surrender without passage at
arms. So much for the acts and attitude
ofNicholas Next: Louis Napoleon, con-
trary to what was expected from him
(here) not more than fortnight ago,
proves to be ready to take up the gauntlet
which Russia has thus thrown down to
western Europe. 1t was thought, up to
few days past, that neither France nor
England would dare openly to oppose the
Cars intentions. But Louis Napoleon
has notified him, that unless he the Car
abandoned his aggressive movements in
five days after receiving the message,
France will consider his refusal declara-
ton of war against the Sultan and his al
lies England and France, and will as
consequence, Immediately commence hos
tilities BY land and sea. This bold move
of the French Emperor leaves England no
alternative, it is thought. but to draw the
sword more especially as her laboring
masses are eager for a war with Russia
on this question. Her aristocracy and
leading commercial men brought about
the condition of supineness with reference
to their duty under Britain's treaty obi
cations to Turkey, which, up to this time,
marked the position of the English Gov
eminent upon this Russo-Turkey affair.
We find in English, French and other
continental correspondence, grave specu-
lations upon the probable course of the
Government of the United States in this
coming European general war, wherein it
seems to be taken for granted that we are
about to join the allies! This impression
is the result of Commander Ingraham's
conduct in the Kosta affair. We need
not tell our readers that but for the very
general ignorance in Europe relative to
the character and foreign policy of the
United States, no such silly idea would
exist there, where the direct or indirect
interference Of the strong governments in
almost all passing wars is regarded as
matter of course. We may add that our
failure to take part now and then in war
affairs Of Europe. is very generally be-
Eeved, there, to have been caused only by
the fact that we have been too weak up to
this time, to fight in defense of the prin-
ciples of our Government and institutions
as involved in their contests.
Now, while it is very clear to us that
the Government Of the United States in
the hands now welding it, will seek with
Jealous care to keep this country unin-
volved in the coming trouble, it seems to
US that, ere it ends, we may be compelled,
in defence of our rights on the Continent,
to break with some of the cOntending
powers. Our commercial relations with
all parts of Europe are at least hun
dred fold more extensive and complex at
this moment, that when the last serious
contest was raging among nations in that
quarter. They are now claiming, all of
them, new rights and powers in dealing
with their individual subjects and those of
other governments who may happen to
offend them, which the United States can
not possibly recognize, if they venture to
apply them to hers, who may be abroad
during this coming contest. Though
nothing has so far occurred to cause our
Government to feel a very direct interest
in the trouble there, We cannot shut our
ewes to the imminent danger that we may
be drawn into it, unless our Congress