Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1854-07-08
The Intentions of Russia

Every Information we can collect SAYS the Lon.
don Economist, both from parties who know the
country, and parties who are in constant commu
nlcatlon with Russian celebrities, lead US to con-
clude with positive conviction that the Emperor
mas resolved Oh the source of purely defensive op-
eratlons; that he Is preparing for long obstinate
unyledlng struggle; and that he intends TO take
refuge IN his inaccessbity, and to DEFY the West
ern Powers to compel him to make peace His
adherenis say, "You may burn cur ships. YOU
may destroy our harbors; you may even at the
vast cost of life, take Sebastopo and Cronstsdt !:
you may drive US back across the Danube, and
even across the Pruth, though in order 10 effect ali
this you must put forth your strength in very diff
ferent manner from anything which you have vet
done: but when you have done all this YOU cannot
force us to negotiate. We shall retire within our
frontiers, where you dare not follow us we shall
thus compel you to keep up your armies and na-
vIes, at vast expense, along our shores and boun-
dares; for the moment you retire, we shall again
advance, and we shall thus weary you out by an in
termInable war away from your homes and amid
nhosptaole seas and pestilential marshes We
snail mus nave two immense antages over you !;
we shall be at home-yOu will be abroad YOU will
be playing your game of chess with knights, and
we with pawns, for in economic value one Eng
ilShman or Frenchman IS equal to ten Russians /;
we can replace our men-yOu cannot replace
yours and state of war which will be costly
and annoying in the last degree to you, the
ordinary habits and comforts of our semi-barbarous
population. In the mean time the English will
grow tired OF the war; the merchants will become
discontented with commercial interruptions the
people viii grumble at additional taxation and the
two new allies, unaccustomed to act together, will
disagree among themselves coldness and quarrels
will ensue, and the game will be ultimately won
by Russia" This is the policy England has to
fear on the part of Russia. Il Is subtle and well
judged, and there is only one way of meeting it.
England must not only meet her promptly and ef-
fectually, but she must weaken her so decidedly
that she will no Ion rpr be formidable that, when
once defeated and driven back INTO her deserts, it
will no longer BE- necessary to keep up an army on
her frontier in order TO prevent her reissuing to
recover what >he has lost. 1t is necessary TO
strengthen her contemInous neighbours, as well as
weaken her, so that they may henceforth be ena-
bled to hold her in check without the aid (by land
of the distant Western Powers. Georgia must be
rescued and replaced, and Circassa maintained as
an independent barrier, to keep Russia forever on
this side of the Caucasus. The Crimea must be
taken also, and Sebastopol stOrmed at any cost,
and the navy sheltered there captured destroyed.
Bessarabia longs for the day Of her emancipation,
and would probably rise on the first thorough disaster
that happened to the Russian arms, if assured the
faithful and permanent support of the allies. The
Danubian Principalites must be freed from the
curse of Russian occupation and of Russian pro-
tectorate forever. Finland must be restored to
Sweden, and the Isles of Aiand must be held eth
er BY Sweden or England.