The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-11-30
Tas Eastern Questi0n-Tho Interests Of che
United States In tho East.

parchment OF treaty, has suddenly arisen ana
put the statesmen Of old Europe on the Qui
0ioe. Those who were instrumental In framing
the treaty In 1856 did not foresee that they
were only patching up the old difficulty and
open anew. And yet they might have forescen
it. For the last fourteen years Russia has
been smarting under the humiliating condi-
tons which were then imposed upon her, and
she now openly declares that she will tolerate
them no longer. She will not abate jot OF
her demands The second note addressed by
Prince Gortchakoff to the British Cabinet may
be considered moro concilatory in It's terms,
but is in substance only the reiteratien Of the
first. The statesmen Of England may cudgel
vexed question, but there are only two ways
in which it can be solved-by war or BY yield
ing to the demands OF Russia. In adopting the
latter course England will tacitly acknowledge
that the blood and treasure poured out during
the Crimean war were spent in vain.
The series Of cable kilograms which we
publish elsewhere reports the progress Of the
question in the Old World capitals during the
day and to very late hour Of the evening
yesterday. In England the general aspect
was moro pacific. There was an improved
feeling on Change, that delicate barometer Of
British sentiment and opinion. The London
newspapers treated the subject more or less
peintedly in their morning issues. A leading
city journal, which is supposed to speak under
official inspiration at critical moments in the
history Of Great Britain, asserted conspcu-
ously, in the name and behalf Of the English
people, that, ''desiring the maintenance OF
peace, we stand on the maintenance of peace
guarantees and the reputation altogether
of the claim to supersede the obliga-
tons of the treaty Of 1856" The principle
involved here, if it should be adopted by the
Cabinet in Downing street, would restore the
original cause Of difficulty and danger This
state Of affairs can scarcely occur, however,
if we are to believe another London paper,
which alleged that it had an official statement
to the effect that ''Russia has decided to with
draw her demand and submit her proposition
to the decision of the Conference" Here we
have ''the Conference" spoken Of as fixed
fact. If this important meeting should be
held we are to presume that peace will be
preserved, as Russia will either gain her object
or be forced to submit-for the present, at
least-to the solemn arbitration Of her national
peers, delivered in friendly council.
From the guarded statements Of the
Russian Minister in this country during
the interview with HERALD reporter
we understand that Russia seeks no
territorial ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, but will remain
firm in her rejection Of that clause Of the
treaty which keeps her war vessels from
entering the Black Sea; and she has five hun
dred thousand good reasons ready to back her
demands. In the face of these events it is
we'll for US to examine whether the interests
Of our country are involved in the East.
There are American statesmen who hold that
the United States are not concerned in
any of the political questions that have
say that the Monroe doctrine should
be our line of conduct The doctrine Of
complete non-interference was well suited to
the time at which it was proclaimed. The
United States were then second rate Power.
Out Of the late struggle we have arisen
great, regenerated nation, and now occupy
commanding position in the world. For all
practical purposes Of communication we have
been brought within few hours Of CONSTANT
nople, and are daily creating new interests for
ourselves in the East Our immense re-
sources, our industry and the late inventions
Of science have raised this country to posi-
ton Of grandeur.
There is an old maxim that says, "NobIesst
| o61sge," and it may be affirmed with equal
| Justice, Grandeur obliges. Those statesmen
who think that we have no political interests
| in the Old World are behind their age; for,
during the last few years the foreign element
has been steadily flowing to our shores and
its influence has made itself felt in the framing
of our foreign policy.
Another thought presses itself upon the
attention of our government. In case Of a
war between this country and England-and
such an emergency may arise if we take into
account the late utterances Of General Butler
Russia can render us effective assistance. She
can deal u deadly blow to the most cherished
interests of England by barring her passage t.
the East.
There is another consideration-a mora
one-which our administration will do wei
not to forget. OF all the European Power
Russia was the only one that evinced sin
cere sympathy for our cause during the lat
war. If the Cabinet Of st. Petersburg has
followed the seductive advice Of the Emperor
Napoleon, in order to bring about formida bl
coalition against this country, the South nigh
have been able to constitute herself into al
independent State 1t is notorious fact that
the Emperor Alexander repealed these insidi