The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-01-14
THE SITUATION.

From the Pail Mall Gazette,
Before the world had recovered from its
first Rmazement at the Russian announcement
that the Treaty of Paris was to be violated,
the Times informed its readers that there
were two classes Of persons who carried their
alarms to the point of absurdity: one con-
sisted of those who were persuaded that there
was an understanding between Russia and
Prussia; the other of those who were con-
vinced that there was an understanding be-
tween Russia and the United States. In the
month that has since elapsed we have had
every sort of explanation of the conduct of
these three States; but, after all that has been
said and done, we are compelled to ask
whether there is any hypothesis to
connect the facts which is more plau-
sible than that which seemed ridi-
culous to the Times. The optimists who
denounce the alarmists appear to forget that
there is prt0rf presumption for the exist
ence of such an understanding. Count Bis
marck is the parent of contemporary diplo-
macy, and all his great diplomatic move
ments have been preceded by series of ne
gotiations, at once audacious and obscure
aimed at establishing understandings which
might be disaVowed if necessary, but which
might also bear fruit in action at the decisive
moment. Taking first the Black Sea ques-
tion: what evidence have we to weaken this
presumption? There is rumor that Count
Bismarck denied any such understanding to
MIR. Odo Russell; but all we really know is,
that MIR. Odo Russell began his negotiations
at Versailles with very bad cold, and after
he was well again his namesake with the doc
torial title only mentioned him to
state that he had heard nothing from
Count Bismarck. The only facts
really in point and really established are that
Prussia has proposed a conference on the
Treaty of Paris, and has declared herself free
from the obligations of the Treaty of Lon
dom The second fact gives its color to the
first. The important question with reference
to the conference was whether it would as
semble to discuss the future necessity for the
observance of treaties or the expedency of
relaxing by agreement the obligations of the
Treaty of Paris. England and Austria go
into conference to consider the last point;
Prussia and Russia to argue the first The
evidence, therefore, against an understanding
between thetwo olast-mentioned powers stands
precisely as Yellowstone has proposed and
the other has consented to meet the repre-
sentatives of other European States for the
purpose of contending that the power to
whom particular convention is onerous may
decline to be bound by it without the permis-
sion of any other State which may be party
to the convention. There may be many dis
putes as to the exact intent and significance
of the Black Sea and Luxembourg circulars;
but it is impossible to deny that this at least
is their common meaning.
We do not profess to have clear opinion
on the correctness of the statement tele-
graphed from Washington to the New York
Tribune, and repeated in one of our occa-
sional notes. 1t is alleged that Mr.. Fish, the
American Secretary of State, has been for
three months beset by the Russian Minister
with proposals for a joint demonstration
a0airQf this annnfrv Ruooia ua 4o
the treaty of Paris; the United States was TO
press simultaneously for q settlement of the
Alabama claims. If this account of the facts
be true, there ceases to be any question as to
the Russian intrigues which preceded
Prince GortsehAkoffs circular. The asser-
tion that the proceeding startled not only
England and France, but all the other allies
of Russia, Is at once overthrown. Mr.. Fish,
indeed, is stated to have claimed credit for his
resistance to the Russian suggestions but
We are compelled TO ask what more could the
Government which he represents have done
than it has done, supposing he had made no
resistance at all Let us reflect that, until
the Gortschakoff circular was on the point of
being issued, we heard nothing whatever of
the probability of disturbed relations
with the United States We were told
that the American public had listened with
great complacenoy to the conciliatory
claimants of compensation for the captures
of the Alabama were asking why in the world
they should not get the money which England
was ready to pay. But, almost contempora-
neously with the Russian diplomatic stroke,
q rumor of alliance between President Grant
and General Butler reached this country.
This was quickly succeeded by Buffers u
pudent speeches on the Canadian Fishery
grievance; then came President Grants mes
sage, amusingly complmented by the Times
on being less audacious than the proposals of
| General Bntler; and now the Amsriean
House Of Representatives has, by great ma
| jority, voted all the measures hostile to Eng.
land recommended bv President Grant, ex
cept those which would visibly cost money. q
! we think the evidence of understanding be.
! tween Russia and the United States incenelu.
| siVe, 1t is less because we believe the semi
official paragraph in the N. Y. Tribune than
because there was really no necessity fol
agreement. 1t has long been said that the
Emperor of Russia has bought American sym,
pathies with cheap civilities; but
the price was thrown away,
nasmuch as any demonstration against this
country would have adequately served as
purchase money The more closely the state
Of American feeling towards Great Britain is
observed, the less satisfactory do those ac-
counts OF II appear which explain il by acci-
dental and Temporary circumstances, such az
the escape of the Alabama or the eoldness of
British sympathy during the Confederate
war. The truth is that the sentiments of the
American people towards the British are like
| the sentiments of the Athenians toward
tvtafts They ara the l6gaey of Lha f,ast noi