The New York herald., 1870-12-10
ENGLAND'S ALARM.
The Eastern War Excitement In
Great Britain.


tny-Ths Army and Power Of
Defenoe-Popular Opinion of
the Gladstone Premiership.
LONDON, Nov. rs, 1870.
Long before this you win have learned that tho
great Franco-Prussian war no longer the predomi.
nant the one absorbing topic in England, or indeed
on the European Continent, II we except the two
countries actively engaged; and even they, you
may rest assured, are far from ignoring the new
question which within day or two has arisen to
divert mems minds from war which they were
firing OF and anxlOusy wishing might end
To one Of tho belligercnts, to France, this new,
absorbing complicatiOn-it Is needless TO say refer
to the Russian manifesto anent the treaties OF 1866
comes the one great hopeful feature OF the pres
ent campaign 1t Is not saying too much that
Frencnmen generally, and French statesmen and
members OF the French government particularly,
welcome Gortchakon's note with even greater
warmth than they have bestowed ON their first mill
tary success against the Germans.
AT HOME.
II Is not this feature, however, which intend an
alyzing. My thoughts, like those of every English
man, are turned TO England's state and readiness
for offence and defence; to the probable attitude OF
the English Ministry, to the alliances England may
hope for and expect and to the adversares she may
fnd arrayed against her. On some Of these Ques-
tions you will be better informed when you receive
this letter than can be while writing 1t; but the
subject Of Englands army and navy, with regard to
the probable steps fer increasing the former and
preparing the latter for sea- believe can give In
formation that will be new, even when 1t reaches
you, as there are matters which, important though
they be, are not often dealt with BY telegraph.
AS have said. the one subject which has occu-
uio mi thn m nj luciov
OF all Others since last Wednesday, has been the
Russian note and the possibility Of renewal OF
the conflict mperfectly ended fourteen years ago.
The snake was "scotched," not killed, and that
party which, In 1856, in England, expressed its dis
satisfaction ut the terms granted to Russia, and
loudly declared that the war was too hastily con-
cluded and the peace patched up enc, make good
use Of the proverb Just quoted and triumph In the
realization of their prophecy. Again. repeat, 1t is
the topic OF the hour. Versailles, Orleans, Paris,
Bazaine, Won der Tam and Gambetta no longer
monopolize every corner or our papers, every line
OF our news posters. From Vienna, Berlin Florence,
Constantlnople to London, and from each Of those
cities to each OF the Others messages OF explana-
tion, Of confirmation. Of addition and OF denial,
flash all day, all night long; but no longer
about France and Frenchmen, Prussia or Bis
the hour. In this statement there I Is no exag o.
geratlon. Until four days, even three days ago,
.'the war; occupied the most prominent position
in every part OF our newspapers as 1t did
everywhere the attention Of the public. Now
the telegraphlo lo.,a summary i Is headed Treaty
every journal Is devoted TO that subject However
all this s but repetition OF what have already
said-tnat Russia and her new claims have monopo-
Zed the position hitherto accorded TO the great war;
PUBLIC OPINION.
The English press, almost without an exception.
Is In favor OF steady refusal to listen to the Rus
sian demands, and prefers war to the knife to the
loss Of prestige. England would undoubtedly suffer
certainly while couched In its present form. All
papers do not agree as to their grounds for opposing
ana o Want 1nem 40 o
shown Dy Russian statesmen In repudlating a treaty
not half generation old, and especially at che mo-
London Times Will do much mischief, fear One
is written by Mr.. Anthony Froude, the historian the
mable and Intellectual men. People away from Lon
don might by these letters be inclined to think Eng
srous OF settling the question quietly and amicably
in the peace-at-any- price style TINS am sure rs
| not the case. Could responslble Englishmen over
| the whole kingdom be polled on this question am
satisfied that an overpowerlng majority would be
IN favor OF resisting Russia to the bitter end and by
extraordinary unanImity which prevails on this
subject Is very striking. There are very few
tcpehsr
| quite to swamp the minority and drown It's 1eeoe
cry beyond hope OF hearing parliamentary govern.
union leagues, have 80 inclined men for discussion
aud opposition that as say, few are the questions
which in England-I mean Great Brtan--do not find
pretty fair number Of exponents both Sides OF
course there majoritles and minOrlties; there
never VIII be an exact divisions but on al and every
subject every proposal bill or resolution there Is
enough to make itself heard. On this question |
time 1t has been on the tapts 1t is doubly extraor
dnary; ana Messrs. Froude and Mills letters are
mschievOus and not founded on facts when stating
that large number Of Englishmen desire calm,
dspasslonate discussion OF the Russian proposals.
On the contrary, no one will hear OF discussion Of
have been had Russia stated she found the
provisions Of the treaty too irksome to bear under
the altered circumstances Of the present day. Had
she addressing the other sgnatories OF the treaty.
asked for its revision, this would assuredly have
CANNOT ABIDE by its and intends to set
parts OF 1t aside, assuredly no one can discuss the
| question with her.
In this particular 1t sngularly differs from the many
sided opinions prevalent before the breaking Of
| the Crimean war. MEMS minds may change but
| up TO the present there is great unanimtty
NATIONAL ALLIES AND THE NATIONS FOES.
must now turn to other phases OF the great topic.
Naturally oil anxious to learn what Prussa's or
rather Bismarck's intentions may be-. Is there, as
some MAINTAIN, secret understanding between
Russia and Prussiaf II so, the moment chosen is
very nauspcious for the latter who already has her
hands full; or, on the contrary has Russia chosen
this moment when her neghbor and perhaps rival
Il too busy to protest and resist2 70 8 tile this
| very momentous question Mr. Oddo Russell, late
| Minister to Rome has been sent to Versailles 10
But this matter, important as It Is still cannot be
| called the uppermost thought in Englishmens
| ninds. Certainly to be pittcd against Russia, a
| Power five times as strong as she was when, some
| few years ago, backed by France, tho great Euro
pean Power, England found herself almost matched,
| Ii q serious thing
/ LOOKING TO AMERICA.
To be obliged to fight with such allies as we can
getthe Russia OF to-day plus Prussia and her VIC
torious army-sounds rather appalling; but there Is
still. looming in the back ground, doubt which ap
| pears still more threatening Men remember the
| entente that has existed between Russia and Anne
rica for the past ten or more years, and now ask
themselves what will be the attitude of the great
men at Washington fancy 1t is generally feared
| that even II at the very outbreak OF hos
tilities America does not demand prompt
immediate and favorable settlement OF thu
Alabama and other questions, and thus
II this do not happen, 1t is feared that such cloud
| prlYateers will be formed In American ports as en-