The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-12-30
Tho Eastcrn DIGESTION Hastcnipg 60
Solution.

The Eastorn Qsestion Hastcning 60 n
The Eastern question again looms up por-
tentously in the political horizon Of Europe
1t assumes an aspect more threatening than at
any time since the diplomatists thought they
had laid it forever away after the close of the
Crimean war. Instead of sleeping, it agitates
more and more the minds of statesmen and
causes increasing irritation and inquetude in
the royal cabinets Of Europe, which in turn
entail tho expense and trouble of maintaining
vast standing armies on o war footing, ready
to be sent out to battle at moments notice.
Indications Of every kind point 70 but one ter
minati0n of all the discussions, ordinations
recriminations and secret workings evolved by
this vexed question The sword must cut the
knot which the most subtle and skilful diplo-
matists have in vain attempted to unite.
Russia must find an outlet to the sea. 1t is mani
fest destiny that q nation so grand and grow
ing, 50 boldly and rapidly treading the upward
path Of general advancement and universal
improvement, should not long remain isolated
and cut of from the world. She must have
room and chance to develop her latent powers
The worlds market must be open to her where
she may send her produce and bring back
needfal articles in exchange. She has out
grown her limits and it is in the nature of
things that shs should demand room for q
proper expansion. For seven months in the
year her ports are closed to her fleets by
arctic rigor on her western confines, while the
Sultan, backed by Christian Powers, forbids
their entrance by the east Her geographical
position, her internal needs and her just weight
IN foreign affairs, unite in firmly demanding
that all the barriers erected against her out
growth by the fears or malevolsnoe Of foreign
Powers should be at once and forever swept
away. The Russian policy thus partakes Of
the nature Of manifest destiny itself, and is so
regarded by the Muscovites, and not simply as
temporary line Of conduct
The most impiacable and bitter enemy to
the traditional policy of Russia has been
France. Napoleon combined England and
Italy. with Turkey and France against the
Gar, and was most active in the Crimean war.
And since the termination of that contest so
painful and in degree humiliating to
Russia, the latter has never ceased to detest
and hate him. England, too, is disliked, but it
is too we'll understood that she Is in the future
to be neutral Power for the Russians to feel
deeply inimical to her. Although the active
efforts Of French influence have not been with
out effect on Q small but powerful element in
the Russian court, the vast majority of the
court and people are hostile to France and to
French policy. The moral support that tho
Gar lent Prussia prevented Napoleon from
intervening in favor Of Austria in the
late war, and subsequently deferred him
from pushing his claims to territory
on the Rhine. Indeed, we may safely assume
that Russian influence has been effectively
employed in all the negotiations that
have occurred for years rs against
France. Napoleon's bold and insolent effort
to combine the great Powers against Russia in
the Polish affair will not soon be forgotten
by her. 1t was successfully repealed at the
time, but the offence rsnkles yet in Muscovite
bosoms, and has greatly strengthened the gov
eminent in it's resolve to find solution of the
Eastern question and an end to French control
on the Continent
The last move Of Napoleon in securing the
support Of Austria in debating terms of set
tlement of the Eastern question has aroused
Russia and must precipitatc affairs. Already
the Mosco,o Gazette and the InuaIide Russo,
recognized organs of the nobility and the
army, contain articles warning France that her
course imperils the peace of Europe, and il is
stated that the Gar has expressed his dissatis-
faction to Napoleon with his shifting policy in
affairs Of the East. II the French Emperor
does not withdraw his offensive claims, as he did
in the Luxembourg negotiation, he is likely to
justify his position by the sword. Russia can
not rctracc her steps. Her vast preparations
for war, the ceaseless activity in her arsenafs,
aud her successful efforts to obtain money, all
go TO show that she expects a collision and Is
making ready for it The spring of 1868 is
likely 10 he an eventful one, and we may see
before the LIST or June war that shall involve
all the great Powers on the Continent With
and Prussia will unite against whatever power
full combination Napoleon's skill may be able
to form, and decide forever The Eastern ques-
ton and that of German unihcation against
France and Austria. In the contest the
Christian communities on the Danube, in Ser
viz, Moldavia, Montenegro and the old Grecian
peninsula, already ripe for revolt, will play an
important part Meanwhile, Is q Power
friendly to Russia, we may discuss Alabama
claims with England, and thus relieve her az
well rs ourselves from the necessity OF joining
in the fray.