Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1853-08-22
Tn. schemes and Power OF Russia.

Ayienna correspondence of the London Times states
that the Russian Emperor is not combining his am b
tious schemes to Turkey. He has his eyes upon
China, and has had for many years. Formerly, he
sent the most worthless portion Of his clergy TO that
country Missionaries but for some time past, the
most active and energetic and Intellectual among them
have been selected for that field Of operations. I'M
der the cloak Of religion, they are ndefatgabe po-
ltical emissares- specially charged to look after
the temporal interests of thermaster The rebellion
now existing has Caused him to give more attention
than ever TO this portion of his wdeextended neigh
borhood Fresh supplies of Missionaries have been
despatched the Celestias and bodies of troops are
pushed in the same direction to take care that Rus
sian interests shall not suffer whatever contingencies
may arise.
TIE same writer says that exaggerated and
very erroneous idea prevails Of the real strength OF
the Russian Empire. Ever since its establishment
by Peter the Great, il has never known day OF
peace Every day of its existence has been day of
war with some nation other And yet its soldiers
have never achieved any great successes. With the
regular forces Of Europe and with equal numbers
they have never won victory. And during the last
20 years they have sustained many bloody defeats at
the hanls of the badly armed and worse disciplined
mountaineers Of the Caucasus. When Russia came
to the assistance of Austria in lS50-the moral effect
OF her cooperation did far than her arms The
erroneous idea Of her strength isderyed from the inn
portant part she bore in the overthrow of Napoleon
The writer thinks, in any conflict with the Western
Powers combined against her her vast nferiority
will be speedily demonstrated.
1his is all very true-but the writer overlooks the
strength of her position. She has aSSsable rear
or TANKS She presents nothing but front-and that
extends from the Baltic to Bherng's; Straits. For
nine months in the year. that front is well nigh inac-
cessible, on account of the cold She may be feeble
for offensive operations defence. she is
advantageously situated than any other power. Sup
pose for instance she refuses to withdraw from the
Danube provinces-and war results, and where
is she TO be assaied Tn. time fol operations in the
Black sea and the Baltic is already pa sed-and the
naval superiority of the allies would avail them moth
ing. 1t would require nearly l. months for them
gather sufficient land force to dsodge herfrom the
Prncpllities-and without the active assistance Of
Austria that would be impossible at any time. In
the meanwhile she may subduc the whole OF Europe
Turkey At any rate, she is shielded from attack Of
any kind before next summcr-sui in the meantime
enjoys the advantage fpushing and consolidating her
conquest without firing gun When the Cars armies
do meet the regulars Of England end France in open
fed-they may and in all probability will, berouted
and vast numbers be slaughtercd-but what are
hundred thousand Seris to him Alter defeat, the
heart Of his empire would be as free as ever from Sc
Tious attack. In process Of time, he might be
dered incapable Of renewed agsreSsions but that
would cost Engand and France a mint of money
and would their capitalists and shop-keepers be vii
ling TO pay it ?
But while Russia has her hand upon Turkey, and
has eye upon China, she is not Indifferent 20 the
countries just around her capitol y very significant
movement has lately been brought to the notice Of
the public She has ordered 10000 men TO be coli
lectedin Finland and has prohibited the expectation
Of grain from that country and authorized its impor
tation free Of duty This j. regarded as a demonstra
lion upon Denmark -where she has many active
partisans-and upon the Sound. Tle possession Of
this last would make her mistress Of the Baltic, and
eectually guard against all attack in that quarter
Such comprehensive schemes may be too great 10
be consunmated by any one power-ani the effort
10 achieve them may cutai general failure