The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-07-20

The Cirsis Of the Eastern DidSculty.
The reply of the Emperor Of Russia to the
demands of the Austrian and Prussian Cabinets
confirms the view we took yesterday of the
present aspect of the Eastern question BY the
evacuation Of Wallachia the Gear seeks to divest
the question of these extraneous elements OF
difficulty arising from the intervention of Ger
man interests, as regards the free navigation OF
the Danube, and to limit it to the direct issues
which have brought him into collision with the
Western Powers. In this concession whether
voluntary or forced we will not stop to in
quire-he only consults the dictates of common
prudence. If 1t be so important to the coali-
ton to secure the conditional support of the
German Powers it becomes the more necessar
ry for him to neutralize the motives that i'm
pei those governments to afford the Western
alliance limited cooperation. Fit be true,
as asserted, that the reverses which his armies
have experienced under this retrograde move
ment, is matter Of strategic necessity, he shows
tact in seeking to impart to 1t such coloring
az will serve to confirm the waveriug sympa-
thies Of his German neighbors. The real truth
the evacuation Of the southern Principal ty is
part of concerted plan, long since agreed
upon between the Russian and German Cabi-
nets, and which was made an indispensable con-
dition of the subsequent friendly action Of the
latter. We have now arrived at the culmi-
mating point of the difficulty which is to deter
mine what the intentions of the German Pow
orrr w how CO. <I~a:-
diplomatic professions towards both interests
may be relied upon by either.
There is nothing in the reply Of the Gear 10
the bypocritical German ultimatum which In
dcates any disposition upon his part to finch
from the contest. What he offers now he has
offered before, as, indeed, he was bound by con-
sistency with his own demands to do. In fact,
his new proposition divests his former conces-
sions Of any value that might have been at
tached to them. BY resorving what he terms a
strong military position in Moldavia, he seeks
to obtain an advantage that he did not before
possess, and carries out the invariable policy of
Russia since the time Of Catherine--of only
compromising each fresh aggression for some
positive benefit, either in the shape of terrific
rial acquisitions, or of political prerogatives
that may serve as the basis Of fresh encroach-
ments. 1t was the proud boast Of the Czarina
that Russia had never engaged in any war
which had been unattended with some compen-
sating benefit
In reviewing its history for the last century
and half, it will be found that in but few in
stances has this remark been falsiGed. Step by
step, and with steady and unwavering perse-
verance, has the policy which it embodies been
carried out: and its fruits are now to be seen
in the vast territorial Importance and great
political predominance to which this but lately
barbarous, and still but partially civilized en-
pre has attained. North, east west and SOUTH
Russia has been gradually extending her terri
tories and her sway, until Europe, terrified ut
the growing magnitude Of her power, now seeks
to impose limits to her expansion. The des-
TIMES of nations are, however, placed in other
hands than those Of the short-sighted politicians
who behold in the great changes that are gradu-
ally developing themselves in the social and
political relations Of the world but fresh oppor-
mites for the advancement of their own selfish
interests, and the more general enslavement of
mankind.