The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-12-31
COLUMBIA.
Tuesday Morning, Dec. 81, 1857.
The European sit4ation.

Anu A4aEOReAh 6khQAetkOAs
The Phonis, of the 9th, contain
ed cable despatch to the effect that
the Russian Government had adj
dressed note to the Government oi
France, protesting against the shift
ing policy of the latter in regard to
the affairs of the East. A special
correspondent of the New York Her
aid writes from Constantinople a
letter, in which, from the standpoint
of an actual observer, the Eastern
question is admirably discussed; and
in which he very properly remarks
that the interest which naturally CEN
tres at the present moment in the
Roman question. has made no forget
full of the troubles which are now
agitating the East. The European
situation, in truth, can only be fully
understood by taking into account
Che Roman and the Eastern ques-
Sons. On these two questions hang,
.if not the law and the prophets, at
least the immediate future of Europe.
It is o curious circumstance, and
somewhat characteristic of the times,
that the two questions which are now
distracting the old world and threaten
ing it with revolution, are thorough
ly and essentially reGgionb.l The
Sublime Porte and the Holy. See are
both felt by many of the European
Governments to be relics of q dead
and buried past; but how to get
them out Of the way, the statesmen
are at their wits end to find out.
The two questions have no necessary
connection with each other; but it is
difficult at the present moment to see
bow the one is to be settled, without
seriously affecting the other, orhow
either is to be settled, without con-
7vulsing and revolutionizing Egfope.
Recent facts are entirely conffma-'
tory of these views. The French
intervention in Rome has already
begotten complications which it is
now more than probable may lead to
q Franco-Italian war. The latest
cable telegrams bring a significant
illustration of the actual drift OF
events, in the statement by the Paris
semi-offioial journal, La Pat,'ie, that,
the French Government has issued
orders for the departure of 10000
more troops for Civita Vecohia. In a
war with Italy, France might reap
some successes; she might also have
the sympathy and encouragement of
Austria and Spain; but she would
most certainly ALLEVIATE herself from
the rest of Europe. This, however,
is not the worst. The interference of
France in the affairs of Italy robs
her OF the right of objecting to the
interference of Russia in the affairs
Of Turkey. Whatever right France
}las, or thinks she has, to interfere in
the interests of the Papacy, Russia
can plead the same right to interfere
in the interests Of the Greek Chris
,tians. It is manifest, from the tele-
grams to which we have already
alluded, that Russia understands the
situation, and means to turn it to her
own advantage. The Cretan difficulty
is as far from being settled as ever.
Greece, with the consent and ap-
proval of Russia, is giving the in
surgents every encouragement in her
power. In the event of war breaking
out between France and Italy, the
demand for annexation to Greece on
the part Of the Cretans will become
louder and more imperious, and it is
not too much to say that If, in such
circumstances, Russia puts forth her
strength to have the desire of the
Cretans gratified, neither England
nor any other of the great powers
will unsheathe the sword to prevent
it. The difficulty will be for Russia
to limit her ambition to this point.