The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-10-23
Christian and Turk.

-
view of the growing probability OF war
and as we understand better the DISPOSE
lions of the great Powers OF Europe. AS
the light gets more clear there is proba-
bility that il there is war it will only be
war between Turkey and Russia: Russia,
OF course, as the ally Of the Turkish Euro
pean provinces. 1t is asserted-With the
! probabilities to back the assertion-that
Germany, and Austria, and Russia are join
ed in their policy so far, and OF course it Is
hardly probable that England will oppose
such an alliance. An opinion strengthened
BY the fact that France, situated rs she Is,
after her bloody and fatal war with Ger
many "a war in which she had not the help
or even the sympathy Of England), Will
have no stomach for the repetition OF the
alliance of the Crimean war, which cost so
much French money and life. II Russia is
left to fight it out unopposed by any Eu-
ropean army, the result cannot be doubtful.
We shall soon sec more fully into Euro
pean diplomacy upon this grand question.
We cannot anticipate events through de-
auctions from reasonable premises where
matters are decided by the tortuous policy OF
diplomacy BIASED by the ambition, and self
ishness, and passion, if you will, Of national
rulers. England's ministry decide to make
no motion at present; but England's dock
yards and arsenals are actively employed in
preparation. We may, or may not, con-
strue this to mean only prudent measure
for national defence in case it might be
needed.
England, whose dominions eucircle the
globe, has displayed jealousy of Russia
which would better be entertained by Ger
many and Austria. This jealousy has
seemed to us always excessive. The old
classic idea that Byzantium," now Con-
stantinople, is the way to India, has pos
sessed the English mind with the force Of
mania. II ever true it is so modified
by circumstances that it is not now entitled
to consideration. The way to India is now
through the Suez canal. Who has that
England. Who holds the gate to the Medi-
terranean! England. She is fortified at
UuC Diitdl vi IlClSulIS oh lhS
north side of the mouth of the great sea,
and may challenge and detain anybody she
chooses. Didit never occur to Germany or to
Austria, as well as Russia, that this was about
enough for England? Geographically in
dignity no more than wart, as it were, on
the west shore OF Europe, she has not hest
tated to keep Europe in peril OF general war
out OF a feeling of jealousy that Russia
might have q new way to "get out" And
to keep her from "getting out" England,
who commands both the western and east
ern exits of the Mediterranean, has been
bolstering up the Turkish Emperor in his
European realms in spite OF the troubles
which are necessarily engendered there
through religious, political, and social diff
ferences that cannot possibly be composed.
Thus the &c Eastern question" has been and
will continue cancer upon Christian
Europe until the Turk is driven out. 4
But we are, probably, soon to have an
end Of a matter that has long been dis.
grace to Europe. 1t is possible that its So
luton may hatch new difficulties for new
chapter of diplomacy. The best solution
would be the establishment Of Slayonic
empire out Of the Turkish provinces. The
land OF Ancient Thrace and Macedon might
become the seat Of u grand empire, an
honor to Europe II this be not done we
might fear the renewal Of the policy Of par
titioning territory among the dominant
Powers would open new troubles-a policy
that provoked ,,the execration OF the civil
lied world in the case Of Poland. t.,