The Nevada journal., 1854-04-21
The Eastern War.

war, DearS no slTlnilISly new aspect Trepar'
ations are steadily and even rapidly going on
throughout Europe. Diplomacy, however, ia
constantly busy withhcr attempts, ostensible or
real, to parry off the blow which threatens so
seriously the peace of the world. Austria,
however, has sigui6ed her intention of acting
with the western powers, against her overgrown
and debating neighbor, and Prussia it is thought
will soon follow the example
Some have prophesied that Russia, with her
acknowledged tact in diplomacy, would even
tually succeed, in part at least, in the accom-
plishment of her ends, so as to withdraw her
forces in honor, from the Turkish dominions.-
Others are of opinion that her diplomatic de-
lays are only intended to lull to sleep the united
powers that she may have the opportunity to
win one signal victory before active hostilities
are commenced by the Western powers, and
thus, making virtue Of necessity, patron
izingly seem to acquiesce in their demands,
while her prosperity is at its height giving her
q pretext to demand in the settlement, at least
part of her former requirements. Russia, has
long been accustomed thus to gain her ends, by
Titles. Her entrl achments having been gradual.
until she has gained footing, and then by a
display of her unwieldy proportions, awe her
neighbors into silence, rather than venture in
what seems to be so unequal combat. Her
cncroachments date back to the time of Peter
the Great, in 1859. When he ascended the
throne, he found himself at the head of vast
inland territory, but sparse population of
eemi-barbarians, who were far inferior in num-
bers and intelligence to the neighboring pow
ers, whose territory cut him of from all outlets,
save the Frozen Ocean and the Caspian Sea-
Peter the Great was seized with an Unsuitable,
but rather laudable ambition, and wished to
make Russia O great nation. But to accom-
plish this, outlets lnnst be obtained for the
development of the resources at his command.
For this purpose he planned and developed the
system of territorial aggrandisement so to-
naciousy adhered to by his successors-often
by open war, bat more frequently by means of
intrigue. BY the treaty Of Neustadt in l72l,
Russia obtained access to the Gulf of Finland.
Poland has been absorbed at four successive
mouthfuls in 1772, '93, '95 and 1915. To gain
the command of the gulf of Bothnia, she took
FINLAND from Sweden in 1909, which she has
steadfastly refused to surrender even at the risk
Of general war With Europe. In 1774 she
gained q footing on the coast of the Black Sea,
and in 1888, Crimea and the Sea Of Azof; in
1892, she gained the port Of Odessa from Tur-
key and in 1912 the remaining slice of terri
tory down to the river Pruth and Danube. In
the year 1929 she obtained the mouths Of the
Danube, together with territory and important
fortresses on the Asiatic shore of the Black
Sea. Moreover, she obtained, aud for SINE
time held possession Of the Provinces of Wal
lachia, and when demonstrated with by the
European powers, exacted in the stipulations
that the Turkish troops should he withdrawn,
and the forms of government set up by Russia
should not be disturbed, and exacted the right
to establish quarantine on the Danube, which
she did, greatly to the future annoyance of the
commercial world, and by which she virtually
gained all she had sought, these provinces now
rendering to the Turkish government only
sort Of feudal subserviency.
But Russia was not yet satisfied She yet
longed for the possession Of Constantinople.-
This by conquest, she knew would not be suf-
fered by the nations Of the world, and she must
do the rest as a friend. She had now grown
strong, and her ponderous proportions gave
her easy access to the ears of her weaker neigh
bors, as they had rather court her favors thar
ircur her displeasure. Conquest and diplomacy
had done all they could; protection was to do
the rest. The difficulty between Turkey and
the Pacha of Egypt opened the way for this
Turkey engaged to assist Russia in all wars, by
which means she was compelled to quarrel with
al her friends while Russia agreed to protect
Turkey against all enemies. France and Eng
land interfered with this, and demanded modi-
fcation Of the arrangement, by which Nicholas
did not gain as complete control Of the Princ:-
palties as be dssired, though he had gained
another step in his march to power.
In all this, let it be remembered the process |
By which Russia has affected most of her numer-
ous conquests, has been to take them under her
protection, then ferlnent dissensions, and lastly
annex them to her territory to put an end to
their troubles. Thus Russia had laid the sur
rounding nations under obligations so vast that
she implicitly believed none Of them would
offer any resistance to her designs, and knowing
that England and France should they interfere
must act in unison, which it was firmly believed |
never could be done-he looked upon the pres
eot as the proper time to strike the fatal blow
sgainst the Turkish sovereignty. He sent
Prince Menzchikotf, with the utmost pomp and
military display, to demand of the Turkish gov
ernment the privilege of Russian protectorate
over all the Christian or Greek subjects Of the
Porte, amounting, it is supposed to about ten
ynit of hot ,H ho;r