The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-11-22
THE WAR PANIC IN EUROPE.


not of necessity mean war in which al
Europe would be engaged. One would
think from the tone of the journalistic
writer's in London that declaration ol
war between those two powers would be
Immediately followed by the attack on,
and Russian possession of, CONSTANT.
nople. But the season is late for any
warlike operations in the Balkan pen.
insula winter will soon begin in those
bleak mountains. It is doubtful il
either Servia or Turkey can move thei,
armies with much freedom after the first
of November. Then, we all know that
the arming and mobilizing of the forces
of an extensive country cannot be &C.
complshed in a day. To transport 8
hundred Thousand men by railroads,
with all their equipments, for thousands
of miles, demands time. But, suppos.
ing that Russia is well organized, and
can move armies as Prussia moved them
against France, and that by the first oi
January, next year, she concentrates q
hundred and fifty thousand men on the
Danube, We are then only at the open.
ing of q long and slow campaign.
Turkey haa fought this same battle
before. She is by no means contempti-
BILE antagonist. She has held her OWL
before this in the countries of the
Danube for months against all the
power Of the car. The Turks fight
well in defense. They have many
strong places which they can hold, and
difficult lines of defense. There would
be no possible chance Of any sudden
march on Constantinople. In fact, the
war could hardly open before spring.
This will relieve Europe from the sud
den. embarrassment Of struggle in
which Constantinople must be protected.
It is true that, according to the an
cient notions of British policy and the
believed necessity of keeping the way
to India open, Great Britain could not
permit the Turkish capital to be oceu-
pied by the Russians. But that ulti-
mate danger is as yet remote. If war
does break out, England can wait be-
fore being involved in the protection OF
Oonstantinople. A feet and few corps
OF men can be sent there in the spring
as easily as now. A war in defense of
Turkey would be now in the last de-
gree unpopular in Great Britain. It is
true that the recent movement of Russia
is a godsend to the Tory leaders. They
can summon Parliament now with un-
perturbed mind. There is no ikeli-
hood of any change OF ministry at
present. Earl Derby will no doubt act
as if the government might be called
upon to protect "the gates of the East. "
This alone will increase the exchange
panic. But even British feet in the
Bosphorus does not, of course, mean
an alliance, offensive and defensive, be-
tween Great Britain and Turkey. It
may merely mean a warning to the czar.
The rumors of an approaching ALI
ance between Russia and Italy seem in
the highest degree futile. The Liberals
OF Italy, it is true, have the strongest
feelings against the oppression Of the
Turke upon the Christians, while the
followers of the Pope, with their usual
fatuity, support the Mohammedan,
though some Of the sufferers are Roman
Catholics. The government OF Italy de-
sires to annex southern Austria or Tyrol.
But to obtain these provinces by VIC.
lence would cost terrific and expensive
struggle, and Italy is poor. It does not
seem creditable that she would incur
such tremendous risks with such doubt
full results. France every one regards
as neutral, and as certain to remain neu-
tral. The French press is plainly oppos'
ed to Russia and in sympathy with Tur-
key. Germany is, in all probability, in
secret alliance with Russia. The family
relations of the two emperors, the polit-
ical necessity upon Bismarck to secure
an ally on the flank of the empire, in
case Of another French war, and the ab-
solute want of interest OF Germany in
whatever happens on the Danube, to-
gether with certain public indications,
all make this more than probable. Still,
this alliance may mean nothing perilous
to the peace of Europe. 1t may merely
pledge the German empire not to inter-
fere in tho projects of Russian ambition.
The point upon which the whole posi-
tion of affairs turns, is the probable
COuTbo VI husbIld. 40 WO uoFO previously
said, we do not believe that the Aus
trian emperor will be drawn into this
new alliance, at least to the extent of
war. The press of Vienna Of all parties,
echoes the cry " No war / no occupa-
tionl" Such policy would be opposed
to all the traditions of the empire. It
would be dangerous both within and
without. It would recall to Austrian
statesmen that joint occupation of Hol-
stein, which ended in Sadowa. It might
merely be taking the Russian ohestnuts
from their own fire. 1t would be an
alliance and occupancy very expensive
and very perilous. Still, on the other
hand, it must be said that Russia, Ger
many and Italy may be able to bring an
extraordinary pressure to bear upon
Austria. They may threaten her Italian,
German and Sclavonic provinces.
Count Andrassy may think it safer to
occupy European Turkey than to incur
single handed the hostility of those
three powers. .--New York Times.