The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-11-29
Tho Russian QuestiOn-ThO Prospective
London Conference.

European centres encourages the hope that
the situation of Europe and the world is not to
be complicated by another gigantic war. The
fever communicated by electricity, under the
hills and over the sea, to the whole civilized
world by the circular Of Gortchakof and the
response of Granville, begins to subsids. For
some days the prospect has been terrific. Two
o. the greatest Powers Of the modern world
Powers which in their might and majesty make
imperial France and ancient Rome diminutive,
| the one the most unassailable on land and the
other omuipotent at sea-were on the point
of deadly collision. 1t was apparent to all
intelligent minds that the one Power would 20
tempted to make full use of her naval arma-
| ment and reassert her supremacy as mistress
OF the ocean. 1t was equally apparent to all
intelligent minds that the other Power would
put forth her strength, and for another time
| give proof to the world that on land she was
absolutely unassailable the invading foe, no
matter how strong, only counting destruction.
The world looked OH, not only because it felt
interested in the two great possible COM
batants, but because 1t felt concerned about
itself. Our people alone could afford to be
Indifferent. But If the people Of the United
States were no more than mere curious spec
tators it was only because thousands Of miles
of ocean cut them or from the ancient world
and because Old World troubles were New
World gains.
The kilograms, dated to late hour last
night report that the British Cabinet had
protracted session, the debate extending over
seven hours, at the close of which Earl Gran
vile journeyed to Windsor for special
audience with the Queen. The exact result
of the ministerial deliberation Was not known,
but it was accepted generally in London as
being of a pacific character and tending to-
wards the assemblage Of congress. Public
confidence was being restored. Russia is
said to have been in pacific tone. Prus-
sian dispatches support the idea Of peace
and a Great Powers conference. Count
Bismarck reaiirms the statement of
Prussian neutrality. The Turkish Cabinet
remained calm and unexcited, the Sultan
having evidently determined to be guided,
almost completely, by England and Austria.
Such, as it appears from our dispatches, was
the aspect of the European situation yester-
day, but no one can say what a day or an hour
may bring forth.
1t is well for all parties and for all nations
that reason is likely to prevail without the
assistance of the horrible appliances and
results of war. II was not without reason that
the sentiment of the American people was on
ho do of nd hat ho aol-o
note awakened responsive and approving
echoes ia the breast Of every genuine Ameri-
can. During our four years agony Russia
was our generous friend. Her sympathy was
never concealed and the expression Of it was
never cold or belied by actual fact. Russia,
besides, Is young nation-young, at least, in
regard to her position and her prospects In
this she resembles, although the principle
of her government is entirely different, the
great and growing republic of the New World.
| 1t was not unnatural that the two young
| peoples, each OF til lem battling with the stu
pldities Of the past, should love each other
and wish each other well. This, however,
There was one Power included in the European
family of nations which had done wrong to
both Russia and the United States. That
Power was Great Britain. Our grudge
against Great Britain is historic. 1t forms
the basis of our national history. The unfor-
tunate thing for Great Britain is that the
historic grudge has been aggravated by more
/; recent msdoings Russia, as we know, had
had equally painful experience of the selfish
ness of British policy. Forgetful Of its strug
gle with Russia against common foe, Great
Britain ungratelully in 1876 lent its power
full help to undo the work of 1914 and 1915
by establishing Bonaparte on the throne of
France. In such circumstances, having a
| proper regard to common consistency, the
American people gave their sympathy
to generous and consistent friend.
War between Russia and Great Britain
would not have failed to be gain
to us; but we are not sorry that
minimum of good is likely to be obtained
without the maximum Of loss which war would
most certainly have entailed. The conference
which is now all but certain to be held in
London on this Eastern question, on as early q
day as is possible, must be gain to Russia,
and for this one reason it Is not to us an
arrangement unacceptable.
Taking it for granted that a conference is to
be held-no matter where-to reconsider GER
tain articles Of the Treaty Of Paris, the result,
it is nndeniable, must be triumph to Russia,
and, in certain sense, a humiliation to Great
Britain. If conference is definitely agreed
upon it may be regarded as foregone conclu-
sion that the British government is not
opposed to the resembling of the obnoxious
clauses Of the Paris Treaty. We do not
see how it could be otherwise. No
man capable Of judging in the premises