Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-12-15

be lookedupon as an act of hostility. Where
an obligation is repudiated obviously win a
view TO immediate action, the power that il
threatened would be weak, indeed, lift scru-
plcd to take the warning and anticipated the
attack. But here there is no such prospect,
no Immediate danger-nay, If we are true to
ourselves, no danger at all. 1t must be long
before Russia can place navy on the Black
Sea that navy will certainly be weak, ILL
manned, and not very skillfully equipped
The Russian fleet of 1854 could not keep
the sea for day after the Allies passed The
Bosphorus, though the late Car had beer
long preparing it, took great pride in it, and
could boast that il contained some OF the
most powerful ships in the world. 1t need
hardly be said that Russia can put no ship or
the Black Sea against the will OF England
Having, therefore, the material power entire
ly in our hands, we may dispense with The
necessity of considering the Russia declara-
ton as hostile act. 1t may contemplate
hostility, or it may be a mere bit Of brag ut
tered by Prince Gortchakof TO maintain hi
failing influence; but, in either case, there
will always be the opportunity and means Of
meeting it. This determines our conduct
and enables us to act with the requisite
firmness while giving Russia ever,
opportunity to recede from the position
she has taken, and to seek redress foI
her alleged grievance in legitimte way
England then, refuses to recognize the right
of the Russian government to abrogate the
clause of the treaty respecting the Black Sea
and will enforce it, should the declaration OF
Russia be followed by any overt act; but, il
Russia is willing to let it be understood tina
her aggressive circular shall not be considered
as an assumption of a foregone conclusion
- 81, al; IN e. H.
rope permits the assembling of a conference
of the Powers, will be willing to consider the
representations of Russia as if nothing had
happened. 1t is impossible that the mosi
jealous partizan of Russia, if he retains any
sense of Justice, can ask more than this; on
the other hand, our ''candid friends" at home
with all their acuteness in espyng the faults
of our own policy and excusiDg our opponents
can hardly maintain that their country can be
content with less.
Having taken this position, with firm res
olution 10 maintain il, We may, 1t seems to us
leave it to the Gar to make the next move
At Versailles there is talk of a conference
and it is understood, we are told, that Russia
is willing to yield to friendly representations
proceeding from Count Bismarck. Well and
good. We also are quite ready for friendly
negotiations, as we have been from the begin
ming. But let it be clearly understood that
we are not eager for conference, and have
no intention of begging Russia as favor to
meet us that we may yield in legal form what
she has violently taken. Russia has chal-
enged the parties to the treaty in a document
more offensive than any that has been put forth
in the present century. mere insult is not
a sufficient cause of war, especially when we
know it to be vain-glorious and impotent.
But it forbids the Power which has suffered
it to approach the offender until !: is virtually
Withdrawn. Overtures for discussion OF this
question ought not to come from England but
from Russia, whether through Count Bis
marck's Intervention or otherwise. Enough
for us is the position we take up-that we do
not accept the remuneration of the treaty, and
shall act according to circumstances"