The New York herald., 1870-11-16
Russia and tho Treaty Of Parts-sarcat
Opportunity for the United states.

uocS mean 10 make Some use OF tnc oppor-
tunity which the present war in Europe offers
her. II is true there is not much definite
data on which to work; but there is not, on
the other hand, any lack of rumor. Russia
denies that she il making any preparations
for war or that she has any immediate pur-
poses to serve. But. while Russia al sumes
this attitude, from some cause or other
Europe has taken fright; and Great Britain,
not to speak of Austria and Italy. has for
gotten the war between France and Germany
in contemplating the great Colossus of the
North and Of the East, in the Black Sea, in
the Dardanelles and in the Mediterranean.
Whether it be true that Russia has taken any
active steps to make an end Of the treaty Of
Paris, or whether 1t be true that M. Odo
Russell has gone to the Prussian head
quarters at Versailles to announce that
Great Britain and Austria and Italy have de-
cided that If Russia makes any such claim war
must be the result, we have no stronger owl
dence than that which comes across the cable
| This, at least, is not to be deuied--dangerou
rumors are in the air.
If 1t should turn out that Russia is deter
mined to make good use Of her opportunity
who will blame her! The treaty Of Paris, as
we said some time ago in these columns. was
forced upon her. She was beat down by a
powerful but as she thinks, iniquitous alli-
ance. Great Britain alone could not have
taken Sebastopol; France alone could not
have taken Sebastopol; but Great Britain and
France combined, not without the help Of Aus
tria and Sardinia, managed to destroy one
grand naval fortress and buy peace by in
ducing Russia to withdraw her war ships from
the Black Sea. Turkey was of course, placed
on the same footing. So, indeed, were all the
Powers The Black Sea did not cease to be
portion of the highway of commerce. The
treaty of Paris only said that the war ships of
all nations must henceforth be excluded. But
Russia asks herself the question to-day
why she should abide by treaty
forced upon her by an alliance
which no longer exists. The treaty of Paris
has been trampled upon by both Prussia and
France In this war. But if this were not the
fact Russia might still say the situation is so
changed that the treaty is no longer binding.
In this connection 1t deserves to be noted that
one Of the greatest Powers of the world was by
the treaty Of Paris wantonly insulted. The
United States of America, which had taken no
part In the struggle, were compelled to submit
to the terms Of treaty in the formation and
arrangement Of which they were never con-
suited. 1t was well enough to compel Russia
to keep her war ships in port; it was well |
enough to compel Turkey to keep her war
ships south of the Golden Horn; it was well |
little apparent sacrifice In order to magn ify |
the grandeur of their triumph but the closing |
Of the Black Sea against the war ships of the
young republic Of the West was regarded at
the time, as we have already shown, as
wsnton insult; and to-day the United States
feel, with Russia that those obnoxious clauses
| OF the treaty of Paris ought to be expunged.
If Russia insists upon the modification of this
treaty, if she is plueky eneugh--as we believe
she is-tO make war on the issue, who is to
oppose her? England, of course; Austria per- |
haps and mayhap Italy. But what does Rus
sia care for Austria? Austria has already far |
too much on hand. The empire already trem-
bles in the balance. 1t struggles for existence. |
The success of the German armies in France |
has alienated what has hitherto been reck- |
oned the most reliable section of her popula-
ton. The other sections Of the>empire hang
so loosely together and gravitate so weakly
around Hungary as possible centre Of the
| future that Austria is positively powerless for
! foreign war; Even if she could count on what
still nominally remains to her the finances of
the empire emphatically forbid any out
side undertakings. Austria may thus be
counted out. Aud what is the condition Of
Italy? Ultimately, no doubt more hopeful
but Immediately quite as desperate as that Of
Austria. Italy has the Pope on her hands,
and that is quite enough. As there is no
other European Power which can be thought
have to fight Russia If Russia undertook to
float her war ships through the Bes-
phorus. While France and Germany were
settling their own affairs at Versailles, in
Paris or at Berlin, Russia and Great Britain
would meet face to face in the Dardanelles,
at Constantinople OF in the Black Sea. In
such case Turkey would fight well and
Russia might find it difficult to resist the
naval strength of Great Britain and Turkey
combined, all the land forces being on the
side Of the allies. If we In these United
} States have suffered common wrong with
} Russia, as thousands upon thousands of our
} people think we have, why cannot we adjust
; the balance, help our generous friend and ally
and take our revenge? Is it not in our power
to say to Great Britain "Hold OFF,"
So far as Turkey is concerned, the time
seems to have come when she ought to retire
from Europe. Her presence in Europe is a
| norratual inau1t tO Western and Christian