The true Democrat., 1854-05-09
Prom the N o. Picayun The Navies in the Baltic.

LVerythlng that has relation to the strife that IS now engaging the principal powers of Europe IS matter of intense interest to the people of every part of the world-to those whose situation, near the theatre of action, makes the quarrel almost a personal one to them all, and to us, who, standing in the far distance, are yet looking on with an anxiety nearly commensurate with theirs For who can tell to what degree we may be eventually interested in the struggle and its results?
 But if it were only as amatter of curiosity as alesson in history-as theme for contempa- tion and refection-such transactions as those which are now agitating Europe would posses an interest for us more absorbing that any other events of our time. The combinations are so peculiar, the concurrence of some parties and the antagonisms of some others so novel and so strange as to arrest the attention and impress the minds of all. The spectacle of such an alliance as that between England and France. against the old ally of the former, the invete- rate foe of the latter; the presence of their fleets in the Baltic; these are events to make the reader and rememberer of history pause and ask himself,
 I G Can such things be,
 And overcome us like a summers cloud, ' Without our special wonder!'
 Speculation as to the result will most natur- ally spring from the contemplation of this con- bination of events. When we consider the strength and efficiency of the two fleets so care fully appointed in every particular, so admira- ply oflicered and manned, so provided with the means and powers of destruction, and embark ing upon their enterprise with such resolved determination to accomplish it. and when, again, on the other hand we look at the form- dable force with which they are sure to be met by the power they go to attack possessing, as he assuredly does, some great advantages in com- parlsOn With them-the advantages of position, of an equal if not superior number of ships, and of the protection afforded by his land de- fences-it is impossible that the liveliest inter- est in the result should not be felt by every locker on. Who can predict what that result will be?
 These reflections are incident to our reading ln the Boston Post, some "reminiscences of the occasions which, in former years, have induced the presence of a British fleet ill the Baltic sea, which is now to be the theatre of one of the greatest naval contests that history will have re- corded on her ample page The fleet now un- der the command of Admiral Napier is the fifth that Great Britain has sent there. The first was that of Admiral Norris, in 1719, in the reign of Peter the Great Russia was then at war with Sweden. Britain rendered her medi- aton between the two powers, and the result was the peace Of Nystat, in 1721. The second was Ill l|26, when large squadron, under Sir Charles Frazer, entered the Baltic charged with a friendly message from his government to Ca- therlne, to remOnstrate with her for fitting out a very suspicious looking armament, that look ed like an intended demonstration of alliance with Spain against England She taken all aback at this peremptory summons, though expressed ill terms of the most sugared courte- sy declared that her intentions were by no means such as her ally had suggested they might be, and said she should send her fleet out of the Baltic if she chose and when she chose She did not choose, however, but on the con- trary issued declaration in favor of British commerce, provsioned the British fleet that had come to "remonstrate" with her, expres- sed desire for peace, and came to perfectly good understanding with the remonstrant power.
 The third visit of British fleet to the Bal tic arose out of the memorable "armed neutra- llty," ot which Russia was the father, but that England chose to consider hostile act, and re- sisted it, in severel cases and demanded that the powers with which she was in alliance should secede from 1t. Denmark refused to do this, and the rest is familiar history There was fight under Nelson the Danish fleet was de- stroyed at Copenhagen; there was an armistce:
 
 was restoration of peace between the two na- tions.
 The fourth occasion was similar to the last. England and Russia were in firm alliance In 1907, Britain took the ground that Napoleon intended to induce Denmark to close the Sound against her commerce. and to use the Danish marine to invade her. She sent fleet into the Baltic, and, and after contest, compelled the Danish fleet to surrender to Lord Cathcart and Admiral Gambler. Russia was indignant de- claring that this was done in the Baltic in an enclosed sea, whoes tranquility was guaranteed by reciprocal agreements. Of cource, the re- Sult was war. The British fleet blockaded the Russians in the Baltic, and another Russian fleet In the Tagues yielded to the British In loI2, peace was restored between the two pow CTS, and has continued from that time to this.
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