The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-12-27
Tho Earopenn situation.

In the HERALD Of yesterday we printed sig
niHcant cable despatch to the effect that the
Russian government had addressed note to
the government of France protesting against
the shifting policy Of the latter in regard to
the affairs Of the East. In the same issue we
printed from the pen of our special correspond
ent at Constantinople letter in which, from
the standpoint Of an actual observer, the
Eastern question is admirably discussed.
In his letter our correspondent very pro-
perly remarks that the interest which naturally
centres at the present moment in the Roman
question has made us forgetfal of the troubles
which are now agitatng the East The Euro
peaa situation, In truth, can only be fully
understood by taking Into account the Roman
and the Eastern questions. On these two
questions hang, II not tho law and
tbs prophets, Mt least the immediate
future Of Europe. II il = curious circumstance,
and somewhat characteristic OF the times,
that the two questions which are now distract
ing the Old World and threatening 1t with
revolution are thoroughly and essentially re-
ligious. Popcry and Mohammedanism have
both become practically obsolete. Europe
and the world are well nigh sick Of both; but
the good sense and kindly feelings Of gone
rous and an enlightened generation are sadly
puzzled to know what to do with either. The
Sublime Porte and the Holy See are both felt
10 be ridiculous relics of dead and buried
past; but what TO do with the relics or how
to get them out Of the way The statesmen Of
Europe are at their wits end to find out. The
two questions have no necessary connection
with each other; but Il is difficult at the present
moment to see how the one is to be settled
without seriously affecting the other, or how
either is TO be settled without convulsing and
revolutionizing Europe.
| Recent facts are entirely conirmatory of
these views. The French Intervention In
Rome has already bcgotten complications
| which il is now more than probable may
lead TO = Franco-ltalinn war. Our latest
cable kilograms bring significant illustration
Of the actual drift OF events in the statement
Ivy the Paris semi-oficial journal, la Pdtrie,
yesterday morning, that the French govern
mont has issued orders for the departure Of
twenty thousand more troops for Civita
veccha. In war with Italy France
hight reap some successes she might
also have the sympathy and encourage
ncnt Of Austria and Spain; but she would
most certainly ALLEVIATE herself from the
rest Of Europe. This. however, Is not the
affairs Of Italy robs her Of the right Of object
ing 70 tho interference Of Russia in the affairs
Of Turkey. Whatever right France has, OF
thinks she has, to interfere in the interests Of
the Pspacy, Russia can plead the same right 10
interfere in the interests Of the Greek Christians
II lie manifest from the kilograms to which we
have already alluded that Russia understands
the situation and means to turn II to her own
advantage. The Crctan difficulty Is as far from
being settled as ever. Greece, with the con.
sent and approval 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 Cretan'
will become louder and moro imperi
Gus. and il Is not too much to say tina
IT. In such circumstances, Russia puts sortl
her strength to have the desire OF the Cretan
gratified, neither England nor any other o
tho great Powers will unsheaths The sword y
prevent It The difficulty will no for Russia
limit her ambition to this point If she exceed
this and s,irs up the Christian subjects OF tn
Porte 10 risc Ia general rebellion, or attempts
to move on Constantinople. general Europes
war Is not improbable. Meanwhile the w
questions stand out distinctly before rs. an
their mutual relations are becoming mere an
more visible. II Napoleon means 70 exerci'
any influence on the affairs Of the East he ca
not get shis Papsl business TOO quickly on b