Washington sentinel., 1854-02-02

abnormal not to allow war to succeed peace, OF
rather, TO call the subject by its real name, that
the aggression on the Turkish territory should
not produce its natural consequences. This
change in the situation has necessitated new
movement OF our fleet; and at the instance Of
the sultan, the French flag has appeared in the
Bosphorus simultaneously with the British. "
However, sir, we had not renounced the hope
OF an arrangement; and, together with Austria
and Prussia, as already previously with Eng
land, we pursued once more pacific end.
New propositions, for the success of which we
shall not cease to employ our efforts, have been
addressed to the Porte by the representatives
OF the four powers.
None Of the treaties concluded with Russia
interdicted to our men-ofwar the navigation OF
the Black sen. The treaty of the 18th of July,
I84l, in closing in time of peace the passage
Of the Dardaneles and the Bosphorus, reserved
TO the sultan the right to open them in time of
war; and, from the day when the sultan gave
us free permission to enter the straits, the Eux-
inc became equally open to us. The same
motives which had kept us for a long time at
the bay of Besika stopped our fleets in the road
of Beicos.
The French government was most anxious
to manifest its friendly sentiments toward Rus
sia, and to reject before the world the respon-
sibility upon aggrayation in the actual state of
things, which, despite all considerations, could
not be modified. The French government
thought, moreover, after the contents of the re-
cent dispatches of General Castelbajac, that
the Russian cabinet, satisfied with the posses
sion of what she considered as pledge, would
not have taken any offensive part in the strug
gle which she has so unhappily commenced
with Turkey.
1t seemed to us sufficient that the presence
of our flags in the waters of Constantinople
ought to have attested our firm resolution to
protect that capital against sudden danger
and we did not wish that its premature appear
ance in the quarters nearer the Russian terri
tories should pass for provocation. The
state of war rendered, no doubt possible a col
lision between the belligerents, both by soa
and land; but we had a right to think that our
reserve would be initiated by Russia, and that
her admirals would avoid with equal care the
occasion for a rencontre, in abstaining from
proceeding to aggressive measures, when, had
we supposed the Russian cabinet to be ami
mated by different sentiments, our feet would
certainly have exercised more active vigi-
lance
The event Of Sinope, sir, has realized all our
apprehensions and this deplorable fact mod
fes equally the attitude which we ought to have
taken. The agreement which has recently ex-
listed at Vienna, between France, Austria, Eng
land, and Prussia, has established the European
character, as regards the difference between
Russia and Turkey. The four courts have
solemnly acknowledged that the territorial in
tegrity Of the Ottoman empire was one of the
conditions Of their balancing policy. The occu-
patton Of Moldavia and Wallachia constitutes
the first attempt against that integrity and
there can be no doubt that the chances of war
might still more endanger it. Count Nessel-
rode represented, a few months back, as a
necessary compensation Of what he has since
called our maritime occupation" the invasion
of the Danubian principalities.
On our part, sir, we believe that it has be-
come Indispensable for US to measure ourselves
the extent Of the compensation to which we are
entitled by right, as the powers interested in
the existence of Turkey and the military posi-
tons already taken by the Russian army. We
must have pledge which assures us OF the :
establishment of peace in the east, on condi-
tions which do not change the distribution of
the respective forces of the great States OF Eu-
rope. The French and English governments
have consequently decided that their fleets
should enter the Black sea, and combine their
movements in such manner as to prevent the
territory or the Ottoman flag from being ex-
posed to new attack by the Russian navy.
The Vice Admirals Hamelin and Dnndas
have Just received orders to communicate this
to all those whom it concerns, and we hope that
this loyal step will prevent conflicts which We
should see but with deep regret. The French
government, repeat, has but one object, that
of contributing to bring about honorable con-
ditions and reconciliation between the two
belligerent parties; and, as circumstances oblige
us to arm ourselves against terrible casualties,
we still hope confidently that the Russian cab
met which has given such numerous proofs Of
wisdom, will not expose Europe to useless
wars-to trials of war from which the sov-
ereigns have saved her for so many years.
DROUYN DE LHUYS.