Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-04-26
The War IN Europe.

The War In Europe,
The recent declarations Of England and France
in reference to the rights Of neutrals. though not
admitting fully the principle for which the Uni
ted States have contendod, are regarded as afford
Ing sumo degree of assurance that we will not be
drawn into the vortex Of the European war. The
language in which the British Government an
nounces its intentions is very guarded, and pro
fssses 10 meet the present emergency only. with
ont pretending to settle the question for all flFns
10 come. II merely states that the government
claims the right Of seizing the enemy's property
on board neutral vessels. but DIES not abandon the
night 10 search for articles contraband Ofwar.
difference Of opinion may arise as TO what articles
arc contraband, and here collision between the
United States and Great Britain is not impossi-
bic. These are defined to be. not only ammun'-
ton, artillery Sc, but also timber. cordage ana
siuilar articles. No allusion is made to the right
Of impressmeut, and thus England formally adj
heres TO all the unjustifabe pretensions which
caused our war with her in 1912.
But the circumstances in which Great Britain
in placed at this time afford sHer guarantee that
our rights will be- respected by her, than any
mere paper declaration. She has no motive what
ever for counting contest with the United States,
hut all her interests are opposed to 1t. The En-
peror Of Russia will doubtless furnish occupation
for all her spare forces. and war with this coun-
try. cutting off her supplies Of raw cotton. would
4. and NOT n
blv turn loose upon her a formidable army OF her
own people. All things considered, therefore,
wa have little reason to apprehend that the posi-
lion Of neutrality, which the people of this coun-
try generally, if not universally, desire to main
tain, will be disturbed.
The debate which took place in the British
Parliament upon the address to the Queen, IN re-
ply TO The declaration Of war, is highly interest
ing. The address was adopted unanimously In
10th Houses, which shows that Parliament Is re-
solved to prosecute the war vigorously to sue
cessful termination but the Prime Minister, Lord
Aberdeen, was accused by some members of hav-
ing brought about the present state OF affairs by
hi, uast course towards Russia, and none OF the
sueakers seemed to have very definite idea OF
what they expected to accomplish by the war
Lord Clarendon said, it was not merely the pro-
lection Of Turkey against the aggressions OF Rus
sa that was involved in the Eastern question, but
{. was the battle of civilization against barbaFsm,
and the maintenance of the independence Of Eu-
rope Lord John Russell said, they considered
that the safety of Europe depended upon the
maintenance Of an equilibrium Of which the In
,sgri.y Of Turkey formed part, and it would De
impossible to hope to maintain that integrity and
Independence if Russia were allowed, unchecked
and uninterrupted, to impose her own terms upon
Turkey. The Earl of Derby took occasion to say
that the war would not be an affair of trifiing du
ration, and the country would feel greatly mort
fed to find after two or three campaigns that they
had made little progress towards the accomplish
ment Of an object which they had been led to be-
lisve would be instantaneous Of execution.
A citizen of the United States. now in Paris
writing to friend in Washington. gives very
denlorable account of the condition Of Turkey, and
prsdiets that her allies will feel very much en-
bsrrassed before the war is over. He is evident
" an admirer Of the Gar, but his views are In
tersstiug. Speaking of Turkey, he says:
"Shs is dying" as the Emperor Nicholas tru-
~ said, and cannot survive much longer. The
very treaty made with France and England grant
inc many privileges to the Greeks, if no other
cause existed, would be enough to cause her dis
solution. The long encampment of the Mosem,
in Europe is to be broken up. and II Russia does
not now succeed five years will gradually accom-
plish it. If peace took place, the dlsoandlng oil
Two or three hundred thousand troops (mere A
-sbs) would cause universal wretchedness. They
will be scattered ard have to return without pay,
nearly naked; will plumber the Christians, and
cause general instructions The latter number
eleven millions Of people Of different religion to
their Moslem masters, who are only three mil
lions. Be assured that Nicholas has not made
this leap without looking before him, and secrets
of State will soon be divulged which will astonlsh
Europe.
The writer thinks the Russians will beat the
Turks as easily as we did the Maxicans. and that
the English and French will quarrel with each
other during the war or after its close. What
ever reason he may have for the latter opinion,
the former is not justified by the result of any Of
tire battles already fought But the Emperor Of
Russia has vast rssources-his army is estimated
at nearly 100000 men and above five hundred
c.nnon-and the final result, so far as Turkey at
least is concerned. is extremely doubtful.