The Santa Fe weekly gazette. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.T. [i.e. N.M.]) 1851-1854, 1854-03-18

II fopen war breaks out IN Europe between
Russia and England, that which has been
done slowly, inSidiouSly, and by indirec.
ton in Asia, will be prosecuted boldly,
with the strong hand and England may
expect the native sovereigns beyond the
border to be reused up by all The arts OF
Russian diplomacy and by Russian pro-
misses and bribes, to invade the British
dominions and every aggrieved poten-
tate or tribe within the whole Indian Pc
tninsula will be encouraged and aided to
harasS the company, its servants and
troops.
Hence, a state ofdeclared war between
these two Governments will impose the
immediate cost upon England Of sending
out strong aImaments by land and sea,
for the security ofits possessions in India,
and to be prepared to meet all strength
and all the articles which Russia can
employ for comprising the overthrow of
the British rule in these regions. The
far off danger has doubtless more inhu-
ence in causing the long hesitation ofthe
British Cabinet in redeeming their pied
ges of giving material support to the
cause Of the Sultan, than any conSidera-
tion connected with the probable results
in Europe. The frontier Of Asiatc Rus
sia comes down to the neighborhood of
British India, in contiguity with disaf-
fected tribes, or tribes liable to be made
so, with which England must contend at
a vast distance at an enormous cost, and
at great disadvantage. Hence, the secu-
rity Of the British Indian dominions be.
comes an anxious part ofthe inquiry how
Russian aggression and ambition in Eu.
rope is to be checked by the interference
ofthe Western powers. The Cabinet ap-
pears to have taken this view, but the op-
position insist that this is a forcible rea-
son for promptand vigorous interposition.
They say Mat the struggle for mastery in
India must come sooner or latter; that
Russiar relaxes no effort to extend dhcrpOw-
er and influence in that direction, and
will surely make the attempt as soon as
he shall have secured the avenues for ap-
proach, and consolidated her means to
the end. Now then is the best opportu-
nifty for making q successful resistance,
and destroying her influence here, when
the christian powers Of Western Eorope
are in alliance with the Sultan, the chief
Mahommcdan powcrofAsia, and thesym-
pathy Of all the Mahommedan tribes, may
be counted upon in opposition to the op-
prcssor ofthe Turks. There never could
be a better opportunity for bringing on
the contest in Asia for turning back the
encrcachments of Russia. So argue the
warpaltyin England, and the moStpacifc
fCreseeing the ultimate probability ofwar
in spite of all efforts to adjust the quarrel
by diplomacy, acknowledge the danger
and discuss the means ofmeeting it.
In the meantime, they have little war
on hand which may serve to show them
how costly great warmay be. The war
with Burmah, which was thought to be
so snugly settled by the annexation ofthe
Burmese province of Peru to the British
Empire and the exaction of certain in
IDENTITIES, is revived with feelings ofnew
evaporation. The king himself, having
in view the penalties he has already sut-
fered for opposing the arbitrary will Of
some British subordinates. affects to de-
sire peace, and makes no open avowal Of
his sympathy with his subjects, who have
instituted a guerrilla warfare against the
British. One chieftan is at the head of
600 men, and another Of 4,500 men,
and other parties are in arms with large
force to drive ont the British. English
accounts describe them as mere highway
robbers, but they are regularly arranged
into troops under native leaders, who are
hereditary chiefs, and among their most
active supporters is the Kings brother,
who is heir to the throne. After a two
years war, which has cost Great Britain
millions ofpounds sterling, the whole toll
and cost is to begin again, for the British
have no suitable force or permanent foot
hold in the country, and the rebels have
threatened to devastate the whole pro-
vince rather than permit its permanent
occupation.
If this Empire were within reach Of
Russian help, how suddenly would these
insurgents find arms and money and
troops, if needed, to carry on this war.
fare; and along the British frontier to.
wards which Russia is advancing, there
are tribes and nations that only want pro-
vocation and opportunity, and had such
ccuntenance, to give the British occup.
ants infinite trouble, and demand Of Great
Britain immense exertions and enormous
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