Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1853-11-15
T,. r,,,.., ,,,r,., pus.,, and Turkey.

We mr., AT last informed that hosiilitcs have com
menced between the berigersnts in the East. VIVA
reliance is to be placed upon that information Is ye
unknown The commencement Of the war - wha
we have had good to expect for some time past
but so many conflicting statements have been receiv
cd on the subject and such variety Of constructions
put upon the indications to the issue OF peace ~
war; that all reports of the Turkish question arc neecs
sariy received with misgivings The news OF the
next steamcr-and the next perhaps will have to e'
received before the question is settled whether the
reported hostilties are mere skrmshcs, the rceu
lar opening of the campaign. Speculation has been
prctt, much exhausted as Ia when the war will be
GIN and for our part have been dist cned to ven
| ture any opinion in the matter; though We have al
WAYS entertained the belief that ar was inevitable.
There grounds that see for doub;in, the
accounts rs given OF codtlicts between the Russian
and Turkish forces But, what are these conflicts
to lead may admit of diversity OF opinion. Viii
thew be followed up by "a Of determination upon
Turkey by the Gar and inv olive the Western Powers,
or will the aid of diplomacy vet effect amcablc al
istmcntY We are of the opinion that all the virtue
of diplomacy has been expended, and that the Tins
has come for trying what virtue there is in gum
powder. Ii diplomacy could have effected any thing,
il should have been done long ago. 1t certainly has
had fair trial, and proved failure. The conflict
NAV be confined for some time to the Russians and
Turks The Gerry efficient allies of the latter will
tainy hold oil from the fight rs long possible They
will Toe quite likely TO give Turkey the chance to try
her prowcss with the strength OF Russia the utmost
extent, before they become involved in the fight af
ter the standback policy they have hitherto mani
tested In the event Of the Turks being unable to
cope with their formidable competitors, they may
then come To the and fulfil their obligations TO
afford protection. The struggle may be protracted
one Leorc their services from such considerations,
Afforded The relative effective strength of the two
parties does not appear yet to differ materially.
1t is true Il at Russia boasts of nearly million OF
soldiers But we'll informed writers doubt whether
she can be able to sustain hundred thousand men
beyond her frontier. She is now estimated 10 have
from 1870, 900 to 100000 in the Principalities,
which, according that calculation is near her full
available force. The estimate disposed to con-
slider falls considerably short OF the mark. But, then
we are told that Turkey has already 10000 volun-
tccrs enlisted; and that her people have spontaneous
" Offered about SlG,O00,O00 to begin with. The
Russians fight only paid soldiers for the conquest
of an odiuus and tyranical government; while the
Turks struggle with zeal and desperation in defence
of their country The contest may therefore be con-
tinued for some length Of time only between Turkey
and Russia but in the event of the former being
come we cannot doubt that the Western Powers will
then interfere, AMI afford her that aid which they
should have promptly rendered at first