New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-11-19
wu.r noes ENGLAND M.aNp

We have already discussed the real meaning
of Prince Gortschakoffs note but the ques-
ton of peace or war depends rather upon the
Significance of Lord Granvile's reply than
upon the Interpretation of the Russian circu-
lar. Historical precedent ought to make us
extremely cautious in predicting from the
language of English diplomacy what the
course of Great Britain will be under any
given circumstances. When the Gar Nicholas
attempted to seize the effects of the Sick Man
of Turkey, there WAS every reason TO believe
that England would oppose only verbal re-
monstrances. There had been nothing warike
in tho previous discussions an AnglO-French
alliance was supposed to be almost impossible.
the temper of the English people was appa-
rently pacific in the extreme; and the Min
istry was one which carried a peace policy
almost to the point of faDatcism. The Pre-
mier, Lord Aberdeen, had horror of war
amounting nearly to monomania; the Chan
cellor of the Exchequer Mr.. Gladstone, was
looked upon az man who would never con-
sent to bOstilitics except upon the direst
necessity Yet the British Cabinet drifted
into The Crimean war, not indeed without
sufficient reason, but without exhausting peace
able means of obtaining what it required, and
the nation reused itself to a splendid passion
of martial ardor which took the whole world
by surprise There was no particular reason
why Englishmen should either hate the Rus
SLAMS, or love the Turks, or fancy French
alliance; nevertheless they went into the
Russian war with splendid enthusiasm.
If England was bound alike by treaties and
I.C.. i,,i. of
the Turkish Empire she was no less bound to
prevent at Il later period the ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Of Denmark. At the beginning Of the Schlcs-
wig IIolstein war she threatened loudly to re-
sent any hostile action of Germany against
the Danes she encouraged the latter to rely
upon her assistance; and after Austria and
Prussia had taken the field in 1864 Earl Russell
announced. in clustering diplomatic letter,
that England would regard the invasion OF
Juland us equivalent to declaration OF hos
tilities. No attention was paid to this threat /;
the invasion went on; Denmark was hui
inflated; and England did not lift her finger.
The absurd and dishonorable position in
| which the British Government placed itself by
its conduct in this affair gave severe blow
| to English influence on the continent, and de-
prives Earl Granville's dispatch OF much OF
its weight. The probabilities of England's
action it is seen must be judged from the
popular temper of the moment and not from
| the profcsscd policy of the Cabinet. AS yet
there is no indication that the people are dis
| posed to war on the contrary. there has been
for some time feeling that England is not
ready for battle while the sudden ruin of the
French armies has filed Erglishmen with a
wise fear of making war with insufficient
preparation. If Prince Gortschakofi's expected
reonder to Granville should be couched IN
what the London papers call an "insolcnt
tone, the pluck and warm temper OF John Bull
| will probably I've reused to the fighting point (;
but as Russia has no reason to desire quarrel
| if she can get what she wants by peaceful
means, this is hardly to be anticipated.