The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1867-04-11
Erom the Dslroi, Post

s. e. From the Dslroi, Post
Ruosian AsAerica--Our New Enpise.
fhe @essioa by Rus.ia of her Moth Aneriean pos
s1osiae 70 the united hates has exp,aAed . homb-
shell onisr Engstsh ana French diploaacy, ard ws
Say sncue1Pset 70 heaP protests from kagland And
France against our acceptance of the territory Al
this moment France is complaining OF The unity OF
iaerests bssween Prussia aud Russia, and half sus
pcious of the existence of secret treaty between
these two great Powers. II is stated that Napoeo,
favoriag leagueof the smaller Pos with France
agains. Prussia. The Netherlanss, Switzerland, and
Spain spoken OF likely to enter such alliance
each Of them being overshadowed by the military
power Bismarck has established in central Europe.
The Eastern question is again trea,enng to disturb
the balance of power in Europe; aud, this,
other questions, the interests of Prussia and
Russia believed to be in unison- Prussia has a.,
ready leaned strongly Russia by her refusal
unite with France or any other Power in protest
against she Russian extnguishment of Poland. Aus
tina Is enfeebled bT her late struggle and however
much she hate Prussia, her material interests at;
tract her to the Russian and Prussian policy because
if the Eastern question is reopeued she may obtain
territorial extension eastward in the Turkish
provinces that viii naturally gravitate toward her If
Russia seize the provinces bordering the Black
Sea, she afford to guaranty Austria the terrific
~ lying next to that empire. Moreover, Prussia and
Austria alike German and, in struggle by any
other Power or Powers TO overthrow dismember
any German State, all the Germans likely unite
together Italy is firmly bound to Prussia present:
and, Of partition of Turkey Italy, too, can
find material reward by joining the alliance between
Prussia, Russia, and Austria. But England in this
question must side with France, she did in the
Crimean struggle.
Such being the European situation, Russis by ced
ing her American possessions to the United States,
has stripped hersef of her vulnerable territory,
shipofwar takes in her exposed sails and spars be-
fore going into action As this territory lies between
the larger part OF the proposed British Canadian Con-
federation and the Pacific ocean, its possession by the
United States-which, if this cession is accepted,
will hold the coast both north and south Of the British
Pacific coasts strong and unexpected check TO
the scheme of British Empire this continent. 1t
is menace also because the natural desire of the
United States will be to unite its territory, which is
now divided by a portion of the British dennions
thrust between the Northern boundary of
possessions and the southern limit of acqui-
| stion. OF course should not always remain con-
tent to be separated from part of territory and
people by foreign jurisdiction. Then, by this
sion, if cousummated, the friendship between Russia
and the United States is made still stronger, and the
sympa and political of the great Repuo
lie united Russia, strengthen her posi-
ton in of another alliance between France and
England against her on the Eastern question. The
safety of the British territory lying between the Uni
ted States and our acquisition, which should
undoubtedly seize in of hostilities, would lend
any protest of against British interference with
Russia or Prussia and add weight and influence.
The territory which Russia proposes to cede to the
United States, will be b. referring to the map
lies the Pacific ocean, north OF latitude $40 10
up to which the United States claimed, aud
tain politicians laid down our policy as "ffty-four
forty, fght'-and west of longitude 14lo west. 1t
comprises coast line of about twenty five hundred
miles widein its length strip, four hundred
miles long, bordering the between British America
and the coast, reaching down toward the United
States. The entire cession is bounded three sides
by the includes great number of islands.
The area of the territory very nearly four hundred
thousand square miles, more than enough to make
seven States As large Michigan. Its population is
composed of eleven thousand whites, partly Russian
and Siberian, and fifty thousand Indians. 1t
tains lofty mountain ranges, several volcanic peaks
coast full of good harbors and is at present chiefly
valued because Of its great fur trade Its principal
town-New Archangel-employs about sixty vessels
in the fur trade. Its fisheries extensive and valu-
able. Its lumber will some day become valuable.
The country is mostly cold and sterile, lying far
north, but there fertile valleys in the south The
valuable northern pine attains agreat height the
low hills, and the fur is abundant. Its rivers and
rths navigable for distance into the interior
by large vessels. 1t is supposed to contain mines of
value; but the mountains have been explored
geologcally.
1t is likely that the country be of little to
the United States for long time except for its fish
cries. its fur trade, and perhaps its spar timber But
in American hands it may develop into impor-
lance than has been ascrbed to it.. At present
its chief value would be political in giving the
terry of the Pacific coast clear up to the Acrtc
and insuring the power and position to check the
ambition of England upon this continent.