The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-11-30
Englands Weak Spots-The Chances Of
Enrnf1nn, War.

The st. Petersburg press advocates the issuing
OF letters OF marque in the .eyentsol war be-
tween England and Russia 1t is more than PROB
able that in such war Russia would disregard
the Declaration OF Paris in 1856 which abolished
privateering. She did moi hesitate when if suited
her purpose to brush aside the provisions OF the
treaty Of 1856, relative to the navigation OF the
Black Sea. nor do we believe she would feel her
self bound 10 respect English commerce by a
strict adherence TO the Declaration OF Paris should
the two nations be brought into conflict.
The issuing of letters OF marcue would be Il
most powerful aggressive weapon in the hands of
Russia The spoliation of British marine COM
merce. whose richly laden ships and steamers
swarm on every sea, would present the grandest
p1ize ever offered to the rrivatoer. What damage
fine Alabama and her consort did the American
commerce during our civil war would be insig-
nificant when compared with the rayages OF Rus
sian privateers against English commerce. The
ocean carrying trade now substantially monopo
liked by Great Britain, would then fail into Amer
can hands. Not only our lost carrying trade
would revert to US, but as was the case with Eng
land during our rebellion. that neutral nation
having the greatest commercial marine would alb
sorb the larger part of the ocean carrying trade
Of the belgerents.
The immense. warlike preparations which Rus
sje has steadily continued, and the concentration
Of large armies at points close upon the Turkish
frontiers during the progress Of the so called di-
plomatic negotiations, have not taken place sole
~ "in the interests of humanity." Lord Beacons-
field sees and proclams the danger, but will Eng
land take up arms TO avert it Russia's liked
purpose evidently is 10 make advances upon Tur-
key. From the magnitude and character OF her
warllke prepare ions, and the recent disposition
81 ho II would that abe believes
the moment is likely soon to arrive when she can,
with very great chances Of success, boldly make
The attempt to carry out her traditional policy OF
suhjugatsng Turkey, and controlling the Bospho-
Lord Beaconsfeld says England is not Il coun-
Try (which will have to inquire whether she shall
enter into second or third campaign" But Eng
land is q country which year III and year out &C.
ponds for certain portion Of her daily bread on
other countries. IN average Great Britain
has for the last three years imported from Rus.
STA, Turkey, and Roumania about II coo bush
els of wheat and .5Ce, 600 bushels OF indian corn
valued at S2l,o0o.03o. In case OF war, what witt
the blockading of ports and the necessity on the
part Of the beligerents of retaining 1od supplies
at home, both for the people and the army, Eng
land will have t. look elsewhere to make good
the deficiency OF 100000 bushels CT grain. Pr
ces Of breadstuffs Will be materially advanced
We would in the event of a European war, such
as is likely to ocenr if peace Is broken, most un
doubtedly be called upon to carry from Arneri
can to British ports, in American bottoms or un
der the American flag. fully threeqnarters il no,
more OF the foreign brea ds.uffs bought Tor the
United Kingdom. But England would likewise
and at the same time, lose both Russia and Tnr
key as consumers of English cotton fabrics
very important loss-Turkey alone taking yearly
$20,0e0000 OF these fabrics. Yet England must
fight. or she is gone.-N. 7. Sua.