The New York herald., 1870-11-16
Americas Rights In che Black Sea-Now
90 Enforce Them.

Americas Rights in che Black Sea-Usw
90 Enforce Them.
The formal Reputation by Russia of the
humiliating obligations imposed by the treaty
of 1885, which not only limited her naval force
in the Black Sea to petty squadron, but
barred the approaches to the sea itself to her
men-of-war, is a new source of danger to the
| peace of Europe. Russia will now insist upon
| the exercise of right that has been held in
allegiance since the Crimean war, and we shall
doubtless soon hear of the presence of her
Mediterranean squadron off Consiantinople,
pushing its way into the waters Of the Black
Sea. Such an apparition would surely be
regarded as a clear casus be1H by the signing
Powers to that famous treaty which guaran-
teed its enforcement. But who will
take up the gauntlet? Prussia is
in no condition to interpose force to
Russia's action, as the small German
feet is shut up In Kiel and Wilhelmshaven,
tile French squadrons. Austria is disinclined
to imper her naval laurels gained at Lissa,
and Italy has no wish to undertake war
against the mighty Power of the North. 1t is
quite certain that France has her hands full
already, and will not despatch single ship to
protect the Sultan. England alone may aid
Turkey by her powerful navy, providing,
always, that 1t is not held in check by the
presence of complications with the United
States arising out of the unsettled Alabama
oIa;,no That fhia oantipoauou io od
may be seen in the renewed efforts
of The British government to resume
the discussion of the Alabama ques-
ton. Until that is settled the United
States always have good and sufficient
ground for war against England. We do not
anticipate an early declaration of hostilities
but we believe that General Grant is taking
the right steps in placing our navy on a
strong footing. The country will heartily
endorse him in his policy of reinforcing our
European squadron. II is eminently ft and
proper that our naval force shall be strong
enough in European waters not only to afford
protection to American interests in Europe,
but to lend moral support to any movement
having for It's object the final vindication of
the right Of all nations to the free navigation
Of the high seas. The United States have pro-
tested against the stringent regulations of the
treaty Of 1856, excluding our men-of-war
from the navigation of the Dardanelles and the
waters of the Black Sea. It's policy has never
changed Tribute was refused to the Algerine
beys in the early days of our national exis-
tence, and our little navy, after many severe
combats, vindicated the justness of our posi-
tion. We declined to pay Sound dues claimed
by Denmark, and the system was abolished.
We now assert our right to pass into the Black
Sea, and the claim must be allowed. The
present is an auspicious time to settle the
a war footing. Already we have in European
waters squadron consisting Of the frigate
Franklin, 80 guns; the sloops-of-war Brook
lyn, 20 guns; Richmond, L.; Juniata, 8;
II; Shenandoah, Ii, and the gun
boat Saco, guns, making total Of seven
ships, carrying lO8 guns. The frigate Guer-
riere, 81 guns, is under orders to that squad
ron. In three months the following ships
could be sent into the Mediterranean Tho
oorvettes Albany, Is guns; California, 81;
10; Hartford (sloop- -of-war),
IS; Iowa, %; Iroquois, 6; frigates Mime
sofa, 46, and Wabash, .46; corvettes
10; Nevada, 90; Omaha,
l2; Nipsic, 3; Narraganset, s, Paw
nee, IS; Powhatan, frigate, IT; Ten
nessee, %; Ticsnderoga, 10; Wachusett, 6;
Worcester, l6, and Wyoming, guns; besides
four powerful iron-clads, the double-turreted
monitors Amphitrite, Miantonomoh and Terror,
each carrying four ffteen-inch guns, and the
Dictator two ffteen-inch guns. We have in
the North Atlantic squadron, now at sea, the
Congress, 16; Nantasket, Z; Severn, 15; Tus-
carora, 10; Swatara, z; Yantic, 3, carrying in
all So guns, not including the Dictator and
Terror, IRON clads. Thus 1t will be seen that
Admiral Porter could collect in the Mediter-
rauean before spring a feet Of thirty-two sail,
supported by four iron-clads, and carrying 45l
guns of heavy calibre, and leaving powerful
squadron of wooden ships and iron-clads for
the protection Of our coast.
Such a force, under a resolute commander
like Porter, would vindicate our rights in ths
East far better than thousand diplomatic
notes or Congressional resolutions. Let Porter
fly his broad pennant in the van Of splendid
fleet, and the gates Of the Dardanelles will
open and remain open to our flag, while the
moral effect Of the display will deter England
from engaging Extensively against Russia's
efforts to free herself from the humiliating
and unjust obligations Of the treaty Of 1856.
PRIN cE FREDERICK CHARLES ARMY.-From
London and Tours the dispatches agree in
reporting that the German army commanded