Middletown transcript., 1871-07-01
alew ,s,ul,, Of n. score. treaty between

disss sssults Of the secret treaty between
Prussia aud Russia. But present events,
both ip Europe aud Asia, look as IL Eng
land WIS to be hit with shaft from the
somc bow. Russia has no cause to love
England. Per6dious Albion broke faith
with Nicholas; Joined France and aided
in reducing Sevastopol. The fact IL not
forgotten BY Alexander. II still remains
on record nj ST. Petersburg. That the So
cret treaty should reach England through
her outside possessions is therefore not i'm.
probable. Events now ,rauspiring show
that Prussia aud Russia are acting in con-
cert in opposition to English power and
interests. Prince Bismarck recently ad-
dressed an official note to Count Bern
storf, the German Minister in England,
informing him that the Imperial German
Government desired to require Hcligo-
land. and empowering him to make propo-
sitions to the British Government for the
purchase Of the island. Earl Granville
replied in the same manner, snying that
England will not part with lleligoland.
and that the English Government could
entertain no proposition looking TO the
cession Of that island. Upon this Bis
marck again addressed the British Gov
crnmcnt through Count Bcrns,orG. declar-
ing that the acquisition Of lleligoland was
necessary for the protection Of the German
coast, reciting. as nm instance. the fncili-
tics for coaling aud immunity from attack
from the French feet enjoyed ut lleligo-
land. by which il was enabled 10 blockade
Hamburg and paralyzc the commerce OF
the German coast. lie look ID upon He'll
goland on occount Of its close proximity us
German territory. and its possession by
any foreign power as n standing menace
to Germany England still refuses to en-
tertain the proposition. and at this point
the matter rests. Ilclgoland was acquir.
ed by England in The early part Of the
present century, during the Napoleonic
wars. when Germany did not possess a
single man-of-war. and consequently il,
great scnports were constantly at the mer.
cy Of any naval power which might attack
her. In consequence Of this state Of af.
fairs. neither the government nor the peo
pie Of Germany protested at that time n.
gainst the annexation Of Ilo!igoland "a
England. although the island had alway.
been looked upon as part Of Germany
and its population had always been Ger
man. though its language differs from any
dialcc, spoken in Germany. Now how
ever, Germany looks forward to nava
as well as military superiority in Europe
and hence she cannot afford to have ;h,i
mportan, island in possession Of rival
1t was urged By the most inhucn,i,
Prussian Journals that the safe anchorage
which the island affords to even yer,
large fleet would render It easy for an,
naval power. nt peace with England cf
icc,i,ely, tn blockade the mouths Of th,
two great rivers. Elbe and Wcscr, and Il
paralyzc the commerce Of the two mos
important German senpor,s. Hamburg
an Bremen. From behind these facts
Germany is advancing upou England, aud
in fact. demanding the transfer Of the is
land in dispute from the later to the for
mcr country Bismark informs the En-
elsh esgcrnmeat that English occupation
nf lIclignianl ;s a standing menace t.
Germany. This equivalent To demaut
for its transfer England thus far vii
not listen to the impudcnt proposal Of Bis
mark, n she nress's in this position
what then? Will Germany drop tn
matter. and give up the hunt? That i
not likely The game is too valuable -
Besides. there are events occurring j,
Asia, which make it c";tain tha, Rnssa i
preparing to strike the English possession
on that Continent. when Bismark runs VI
the har flag in Europe aud scizcs the is
land in dispute. Not long ago. Yakoo
X han. leader in the interests Of th
: Gar, mustered strong party Of follow
ers. and captured the town Of Tcrat. n
important strategic point in West Afgha
nistan. This put the Russian power near
er to the confines of British llindostan. =
: l'nt the cononering hrathcn did no, paus
at Hcrnt. lie pushed on, and at the las
adviccs was mcnancing Candahnr in Cen
, trail Afghnnisian still nearer to the Brit
e ish possessions. Brom this latter city
force could be thrown over the bounlarie
in a comparatively short time. In thi
, manner Russia IS threatening England
the Fast. while Germany demands th
transfer of territory IN the West. IL tf
b battle Of Dorking DOES come. II will,
, all probability. find Great Britain bc'wee
two fires. Germany will be operating
!. ono direction and Russia in another =
: Troops will be needed to defend mdi,
: and a, tho same time every man will
ri0uired Mt hcmc. The secret trcal
!; crushed France. II may cripple Enl
!. land.
d The Washington CORE. podent Of Il