Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1870-11-23
The Situation i'm EurODe.

The storm whose rumblings we had lust
begun to hear last week, has broken upon
Europe froH the northeast with such fury
as almost to overthrow thrones, and to have
shaken the British government to its founda-
tions. Just now its fury is somewhat allaved
although the prophets are as yet in doubt
whether the calm is but the presage of a
more furious tempest, or is the commence.
ment of a series of events which will pre-
vent the occurrence of future storms from
the same direction. For time it seemed NJ
if all Europe must be plunged in terrible
war, but as we go to press the prospects for
peace are bright.
In 1856, after the Crimean war, Russia
being in an exhausted condition, was com
-nclasd to sign the treaty of Passs. which con
tanned condition that the Black Sea should
not be occupied by her fleets. Russia hav-
ing grown strong and her strongest for being
at the mercy of Prussia, Prince Gortzchakof,
the Russian premier, has written a note to
foreign powers, declaring that bis country
thinks this provision of the treaty unjust.
and that other provisions having been dis
regarded by other nations, Russia does not
intend to abide by it.
The reply of Earl Granville was most
indignant protest and plainly meant war, in
case Russia should insist The cable has
repeatedly informed US that Great Britain,
France. Austria, Italy, Spain, Turkey and
Belgium would unite to punish the great
nation of the north for it's impudence, while
vrould dafard bar oagto-,
But if Russia really desires only what
she claims, there seems an easy way out of
the difficulty without war. The naval power
of England is so great, and that of Russia
so small, that it would be impossible for the
latter to effect her object in case there should
be war. Russia has no navy yards or docks
on the Euxine, and the time required to
establish them would be sufficient reason
for no attempt being made to occupy the sea
by the means of ship building, and of course
with the Dardanelles in the possession of
Turkey, no Russian ships could enter from
tue Mediterranean. Now if Russia really is
attempting merely to to secure the posses
sion of the Black Sea, it will be olly neces-
sary for her to insist upon her declaration,
without attempting to carry it out, until the
present excitement is allayed, then foreign
governments would thus be obliged to tacitly
submit, or declare war. The latter thew
will not probably attempt, for an offensive
war against Russia would present more
formidable task than either Austria or Eng
land desires to undertake. Moreover there
is provision in the treaty of 1856, that no
war shall be declared for a violation of its
provisions, until a Congress of the sgnatory
powers is first called to settle the grievance.
So we shall probably have convention of
the great powers of the world this winter,
and it is said that both Russia and Prussia
desire the United States represented at the
Congress.
Should this Congress be convened, it seems
not unlikely that the Franco Prussian war
will receive a share of it's attention, and it
ID probable that the condition of Rome may
also be considered. Meantime the war in
France goes on without much change,
though as we write the cable informs us
that Trochu is planning for a grand at
tack upon the besieging army, and that the
RTedtccb DdItAC VI tuS NdE Is
Poor Spain has at last King. His title
is Amadeus the First. lie is the second son
of King Victor Emanuel, and is better known
by his title of Duke D'Aosta. a little
while ago, Victor Emanuel was the ruler of
little corner of Italy now his kingdom is
the whole peninsula, with the traditional
mistress of the world as its center, and his
family occupy majority of the thrones of
Europe. How long the new monarch will
be able to hold his scepter, it is too soon to
predict; but the intelligence of Spain is re-
publican to degree which must make his
friends tremble for him. 1t is to be hoped
that he will rule with much moderation, and
such desire to elevate the people that when
the republic does come. it may not find a
people no better prepared for it than were
the French in '78.