Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1870-11-30
WILL ENGLAND WAR WITH Rus
STAT

STAT
I There is, we fancy, no reason to
doubt that the English people are very
much excited on account Of the de-
/ claratiOn Of Russia in regard TO the
treaty of 1856. Dispatches received
/ by a prominent New York journal
represent the popular indignation as
/ having risen to fever heat, and as
elamoring for war, rather than quietly
submit to the abrogation Of the most
/ important stipulation Of the treaty.
1t so happens, however, that the re-
ports from abroad, for some time, i'm
I parted by that Journal, have usually
l proved either wholly groundless, or
| grossly exaggerated, and hence, one
had better take its warlike dispatch
with several grains Of allowance. At
the same time, we fully believe that
] those are utterly mistaken who think
[ that England would not 90 to war
with first class power, even under
apparently desperate circumstances.
/ The English people are not degener-
ate; on the contrary, they are as
I brave, as resOlute, as devoted TO the
highest interests Of their trade and
I empire, and as sensitive on the point
Of honor, as their fathers were. While,
J doubtless, they prefer an inferior enc
my as likely to be more easily con-
trolled and less expensive, we may
Z depend upon il, when the occasion
shall arise, the British government
will not long hesitate, even in great
peril, TO take the course which ma
tional honor and interest seem TO die
tate. The Cabinet, whether Wash
ington, st. Petersburg or Berlin,
which regulates its policy towards
England on any other view, will make
an objectionable snd stupid mistake
With reference TO the Russian ques-
ton, however, we think it unlikely
that war win be inaugurated. In the
first place, England may never again
engage in hostilities, on the eompara-
lively light and impOlitic grounds
which, in the past, have so often
seemed sufficient. Her reserve in
the matter Of Denmark, q few years
ago, may serve as an illustration OF
the mitigation Of her sensitiveness
regarding foreign policy. But the
most satisfactory warrant Of the diff
ference is found in the pFedOminanee
Of the modern spirit, the combined
result of religion, culture and devo-
ton to the pursuits Of peaceful in
dustry. In the second place, it is be-
ieved that England and Russia, some
time ago, arrived at q common under
standing in regard to their respective
dOminiOns in the East. Anxiety con-
cerning their Indian possessions has
always been the reason Of the intense
interest with which English states
men have watched Russian interfer-
enee and aggression at Constantine
pie. Every muscovite movement in
that quarter seemed to threaten and
endanger British sway in HindOstan,
aud when the mutiny Of 1857 broke
out, among both English and natives,
the cry was raised, 1.-The Russians
have done it.n Persons suspected to
De Russian spies were arrested and
confined, here and there, all over the
land. But it soon appeared that the
Russians were quite innocent in the
matter, while other causes Of the in
surrectiOn were discovered Still,
even up to the present time, India
abOunds in RussOphObists, some Of
them filing high places Of honor and
profit. But English politicians at
home are said to have become less
anxious on the subject. While the
Russians are vigorously carrying on
their work OF conquest and explora-
tiOn in Central Asia, have subjugated
BOkhara and siezed SamGreand, it is
believed in England that they do not
intend or desire TO pass the Himalayas.
Could they occupy HindOstan, it
would only weaken their hold upon
the vast regions which they now pos
sess, For military reasons they viii
hardly ever attempt to possess and
govern the countries divided by the
snowy ranges, with their few and diff
ficult passes. The English are, there
fore, in no danger Of being disturbed
in their East Indian possession by the
Russians. At least Russia is notlike-
ly to seek to disturb them. On the
contrary, there Is reason 70 believe
that, If the Sultan were weakened in
Asia by the aggression Of the Gar,
the English hold upon India would
be strengthened. One Of their chief
dangers there arises from the impa-
tient and rebelliOus spirit Of the Mo
hammedans, who are constantly en-
gagged in intrigues for their expulsion.
Now, the Mohammedans in their
ignorance, expect aid in all such eff
forts from the Sultan, whom they sup
pose to be a much mightier monarch
than he really is, and whom they also
suppose to be ever ready to take up
arms for the propagation OF the faith I
of Islam, and for the overthrow Of in |
fidels. Were his Asiatie dOminiOns I
occupied by Russia, a Christian power, I
these foolish Mussulman hopes would /
be destroyed, and one source OF peril /
y Il
domination in India. This view is
believed to be common among Eng
lish politicians, and while 1t prevails,
England viii not go to war to arrest (
Russian progress in Asia. Other rea-
sons, however, may provoke a con- !
fiiet.-PittSbIV0 Commercial