Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-07-08
THE RUsso-TURk1sH WAR.

THE RUssO-TURkIsH WAR.
The latest news from the seat of war is oil
great importance. 1t should be remembered
however, that the first accounts we receive come
to us through English channels and may there
fore be highly colored. When the affair O.
Odessa was first announced it was magni6ed
and enlarged to such degree that its resem
blance to the real transaction could scarcely be
perceived. 1t may be that the victory of Stills
tria was not so perfect and complete as it is
represented. But there can be no doubt thai
the Turks have gained a most important sue
cess at that point; and in all probability the
battle Of Silistria will exert a decisive and con
trolling influence over the fate of the war.
Thus far the Ottoman forces have received
but little active aid from England and France.
The presence of the allied fleets in the Black
sea has doubtless been of great service to them;
but they have maintained the contest on land
without assistance and with degree of skill
and courage which has surprised Europe and
America. 1t is stated that the Russians have
retired beyond the Pruth. If that be true, the
Turks have succeeded in driving the invader
beyond their borders; without any other assis-
lance than that they derived from the moral
force of the English and French alliance and
the blockade Of the Russian navy by English
and French fleets.
The hesitating policy of the western powers
and the tardy movements of their forces created
the belief that nothing decisive would be ac-
complished, but that the first decent pretext
would be eagerly seized on to patch up peace
which would be but hollow truce, leaving
Turkey, weakened by her great exertions and
sacrifices, at the mercy of her allies, or an easy
prey to Russia at some future day. The vic
tory of Silistfia may put new face on the
matter, although Lord Aberdeen announces
that peace may be nearer than many suppose il
to be. Had the English and French forces taken
a leading part in driving the Russians beyond
the Pruth, their influence would have beer
commanding in any future operations, and the
Porte would have been consulted, if consulted
at all, for the sake of appearance, in any ar
Engagements which might be made. But the
Turks have acted with great energy-bringing
forward resources which no one supposed them
to possess, and battling with degree of cour
age and success which has created universal
astonishment.
1t is most fortunate circumstance for th,
Ottoman empire that the battle Of Silistris
was fought before the arrival of the English
and French achievements sent on by Marsha
st. Armand. That fact must alter its position
most materially, and gain for it great dcgre,
Of consideration and influence in the prosecu
ton Of the war, and in framing the terms or
which peace shall be concluded From th,
earliest times the condition of that nation
which has been forced 10 call on foreign aid t.
maintain its independence, has been most de
plorable. The rare exceptions have been wher
common interests led to honorable alliances
and the power to be protected furnished i'm
portant aid in the conflict
The impression was generally entertained il
Europe that the battle Of Siistria would
change the plan Of operations, and that al
effort would soon be made TO capture Sebasto
pol, and make conquest Of the Crimea. j
the overthrow Of the Russians has not beer
greatly magni6ed, we think that this is tn
true policy; and in any event the allies shoult
overrun the Crimea wherever they can, and con
sent TO no peace which restores it to Russia
1t lies on the road to the east which the car
have struggled so long TO open through Circas
sia; and the interests Of England and Franc
both require that it should be secured to tn
Circassians, who have fought their battles 70
many years amidst the defles Of the Caucs
sian mountains. In a recent debate, Lor
Clarendon plainly indicated that the allie
powers would not be satisfied with a peac
which only restored Walachia and Moldayia {
and policy Of Russia was dangerous to tn
peace and well-beiug of Europe, and that 9Th
object and interest Of Europe must be to cu,ta
that po1cer andt check Mat policy"
The language is plain assertion that il
not the intention Of the English and Frenc
governments to negotiate peace, unless som,
thing more is done than TO restore matters
the condition they were in before the Russia
troops invaded the Danubian provinces. b,
then we are left in the dark as to what demand
will be made and insisted on to curtai IL
power of Russia and check her policy. I'll
free navigation Of the Danube, and indemni
for the expenses Of the war to be paid by IL
surrender Of portion Of the territory whic
Russia has wrested from her weaker neighbor
may be demanded as the price Of peace if II
allies should be triumphant in the end.
Austria has not as yet gone further than
demand the relinquishment Of the Danubia
provinces, and to promise to participate actiy
ly in the war unless her demand is acceded {
That government seems to be satisfied with Il
statutes quo ante Jeil,m and ia order to il
duse it 70 60 as far as it has gone, Franc