Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-01-11
signs of General War.

We give, in another column, the leading article
from the London Times Of the Esd ecem The
tone of that paper hitherto so cautious as almost to
be regarded the organ Of Russia-denote the adop-
ton OF more warlike councils by the British Cabinet.
II seems to consider a general war as not merely
&. probaile-but rather encourages the idea that n rul-
ture has already taken place-the Emperor Nicholas
foresceing such an event TO he inevitable, has no,
wa,ueu Tor the tardy movements Of England ana
Fran ce.
In the commercial article of the Times of the sam,
date, IL is stated that the apprehension on Change wa
that war had already commenced. We make an ex
tract from the article:
although a very strong feeling prevails that war may
perhsps, be considered TO have commenced, the English
FUNDS to-day have shown almost undiminished ~stesdiness
Consols, which left off yesterday at "a l-2 ex div, were
first quoted this morning at 81 l2 TO 8 IS, and, aner hav
ing declined an eighth on the announcement that the
French and English Governments have ordered their feet:
into the Black Sea, in case they should not previously
have sailed thither, they remained without further alten'
zion up to the close of business, the final price being 81
ss TO 1-2. The number Of transactions during the day
was limited, and the market generally was inactive. From
the Paris Bourse the closing quotations again exhibited a
recsding tendency. The next announcement LOOKED for
by the spectators ia that Of the retirement of the Russian
Ambassadors from London and Paris. Bank Stock LETT
OFF at 2l9 TO geo; Reduced, 81 SIS to rs Three and-a'
Quarter per Cents, 90 -; Long Annuiies, s - TO S.s;.
India Bonds, par to IS. premium; and E~Scheqner bills, Is
60 6s. premium"
In the New York papers, we see 1t stated, that
private letters by the Canada announce that England
and France have declared war against Russia. This
may spring from the general apprehension alluded to
by the Times, or it may be based npon later informa.
ton than any contained in the newspapers. The
next steamer, now due, will probably remove oil
doubt.
1t will be seen that the Times inclines to the opin'
ion that the Turks have been worsted in all the late
operations in Asia, and it anticipates more serious dis
asters in the same quarter. The affair AT SinoF'
has produced a great excitement throughout the Rus
sian empire, and will iniame the fanatical passions o
that people to a higher pitch than ever. To efiec
this has been the obvious policy of the Car from the
beginning. His object has always been the conques
Of Constantinope; and if he can persuade his peopl
that their religion is at stake, he will thereby secur
n powerful element towards success. England anC
france, long amused by the diplomatic acts of hi
Czarship, begin at last to see his real designs. The,
will have TO fight him, il they>would prevent his con,
quest Of Constantinople. We cannot foresee villa
would be ali the effects of that conquest. But it
an object worthy of all Russia's ambition. 1t woul
certainly make her the foremost power in Europe
not in the world. Her preseh. position, il she is un
assailable on the side oil the Daitic and st. Petersburg
Of which we know nothing. is, in a dDr"".-- point @
any haooh. By land, Sie IS quit
'mPregnable-being protected for the greater part o
the year by a climate which is intolerable to nat i've
OF a warmer cline. The acquisition of Constantine
pie would make her as great for otsnsire rs she
now for defensive operations. 1t would close tn
Enxine to the world and make it n Russian Lake
1t would speedily enable her to become n frst.rat
maritime ~power-perhaps give her the ascendancy il
all the Levant-subiect all Asia Minor, Syria an,
Egypt, with the countries East of the Caucasus. as IA
rs India, and e~ndanger, il not subyeit the English do
minion in that quarter.
When such objects are at stake, and when sncI
powers are engaged on either side, we may anticipate
widespread and long-continued wars. When tn
ball is once fairly opencd-no man can predict when
will be closed.