Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-02-11
Eureigu Items.

We publish this morning several interesting arti lie
from the London Times, brought by the Arabia. Tn
views of that paper with respect to the iruminenc
OF rupture with Russia, confirmed by the fou
days later Intelligence brought by thu Pacific.
England and France, by sending their fleets to H..
Euxine, and cscortng Turkish soldiers and mum
tons of war, have in reality commenced the war
The Car may not be ready to reSpond--but he can
not without disg,aceful back-out fail to resent thu
insult. His answer to the note OF the Four Power
is represented as cvaSivc-and at the same time, a
leaving no hopes of peace. We may, therefore, con
slider a state Of war As n fixed fact.
The English and French papers make great dis
play of the high condition of their respective nave
Neither ever so numerous so powerful-or 81
well manned. Immense activity pervades all tn,
navy yards-.and all the ports are crowded with men
Of war-ready at a moments warning for active
operations.
The combined fleet in the Euxne consists of "a
vessels. The Russians have about the same number
but inferior in guns and equipment. 1t seems, that
the Russians have not withdrawn their vessels to Sc
bas,opo as ordered by the allied fleets but large
number cruising about in quest of adventures.
This circumstance has determined the English ADM.
raj to keep lis VIII fleet togeher-that he may run
risk Of defeat at the hands of the Russians This
would be inexpiablc disgrace. 1t seems to us,
that the combined fleet, in entering this OF
the year. that inhositablc and dangerous ocean run
greater risk from other sources than the guns
Of the Russians The ocean is trcac ferrous element
and that Of the Euxine has been proverbally so
for more than two thousand years. The loss of 10
picked vesscls--whether 10y tenpeSts Russians
tho it might not prove fatal the destruction of
the Athenan fleet in the harbor of Syracuse--would
give very grave aspect TO affairs in the beginning
Of this great conflict.
The course which Austria and Prussia will pursue
continues 10 DC the subject Of speculation Their
hearts doubt with the Russian Aut5crat, but
their fears may restrain them from giving him active
assistance. Some accounts say, they will observe
conditional neutrality but England and France will
scarcely permit them to occupy such POSITION
They will force them to take sides. France would
perhaps rather have Austria for an antagonist than
an ally. The rich plains OF Lombardy are very invi-
ting, and woull yield fine supplies for the Quarter
Masters Department.
NJ Gaillardet says that the news from Italy repre-.
senis that country rs IN high state of excitement
the bare rumor OF war; "if the Austrian Government
tc contnues) does not declare itself promptly and
openly against Russia, Lombady will rise against her
az one man. at the first report of cannon 1t would
rse still more quickly, possible if Austria were to
side with Russia; and it would be in this quart r.
that Austria would appear the French flag which
now floats over Rome. So there is no longer any
thought OF recalling the French forces from the Ro
magma; the contrary is contemplated to increase
our effective force there, TO be masters Of the
situation, that Is 10 protect Austria il she is our friend
and to attack her IT she becomes our enemy. No,
fermentation, It'll slid, regns in Greece but there
The feeling is against Turkey. which the Greeks wish
to assa on one side, while Russia, their coregon-
dire assaiis her on the other But the combined flee
would pu, that matter right j. short order"
What will be the effects of general war between
Western Europe and Russia, upon this CountryS 1
it be OF long continuancc-as it probably will be
it will give an immense impetus to our commerce and
produce high state of prosperity in the grain-grow
ing and hog-rasing districts of the Union The bel
ligerents would be compelled to look to us for large
portion of their breadstuTs and as the English anc
French NIvics rely mostly upon Russia for hemp
they wonlI he forced TO call upon US for that nava
indispensable. But while the V due of all the neces
Saties Of life and of would be cnhanced-cottoI
and tobacco would probably experience decline.-
! cotton, as appears by the Paciiics news, already
and IN anticipation, gives evidence of inevitable fate
We hear nothing of tobacco-but unless the armie
are supplied with rations of that luxurious indispen
sable We fear, it will share the fate of its more South
err' contemporary.
If these cws be correct, of which we can form
better Judgment bifore .planting-our farmer
Shod neglect toOacco this season, and their
tention to large crop Of corn 1t is too late to sun
ply any deficiency in tie wheat crop; but Virgin
can, ii she will, produce an iIDinongo quantity {
corn.