, 1877-09-15
Russia and laarlScy.

seat OF war in the east exhibit any other
feeling than ore of Indifference. Proba.
bly, the wrs ern nations, with the excep-
tion of England, Austria aud Spain
sympathizc with Russia. Few nrc aware
of the magnitude OF undertaking that
Russia has On her hands. Turkey has
been regarded ms in state OF decay for
the last century. But her chief poverty
consists in her refusal To adopt western
civilization. She is powerful in numbers
and has myriad host OF Asintics at her
back. Her MASSES are serfs, but her
shrlnes and temples are rich in treasures.
BY raising the symbol Of the Prophet,
she can summons MS great bord as ever
followed the heels of Gcngis, Kahn and
1ammerlane. 1t looks now as thoug
RUSSIA unaided could not conquer Tur-
key. Cannot even drive the Turk across
the Bosphorous. Such strain rs is now
drawing upon the tinanciers and numer-
ical strength of Russia cannot be long
sustained. RUSSIA hoped to profit by
Turkish apathy, and force Constantinople
before fanaticism conld be aroused. In
this size has failed. The Turk WAS not
so sick or sound asleep rs she imagined.
Taking the initiative in tho first cam
paign she has been met ut nearly ever
stragetic point with u force which she
coul'l not Overwbelm. Quite early in
the campaign she was put on the deien-
sive.
The Russians forces have been pushed
across the Danube and through the passes
of the Balkans. Austria and Hungaria,
in anything but the attitude Of an ALI,
is on her right flank, Turkey, with the
moral support Of England in front, with
the hords OF Asia TO draw upon to an
indefnate extent. Russia is compelled
to transport her armies and supplies over.
land an enormous distance ut terrible
expense. She has to depend upon bor-
rowing for the siDews OF war. Millions
will come from Asia at the call of the
Porte, and England will expend
millions of sterling rather than Russia
should hold the key Of the Orient.
We knew the millions Of Asia have
not acquired the arts of Western civiliza.
tion. But her population is hOmogeni
Gus and her wealth enormous. The gates
of her cxclusiveness have been forced
and the current is free to flow both ways.
She is learning of her enemies, and among
other things, she is learning the art of
modern warfare; and though the lessou
may be acquired in the school of bitter
defeat, yet she will profit by it, she can
raise innumerablc armies, has the wealth
to equip them, will find the means to
discipline and men to handle them
Turkey is receiving her lesson now. No
matter how this conflict ends, even it
she is compelled to temporarily retire
from Europe, she has millions of men to
fall back upon, recupente, and renew
the struggle when even she has disciplin-
ed and taught the art of war to her
sfiies.
Even here in America, by receiving the
Chinese among us, teaching them western
civilization we may be preparing for our
country, some time in the future, power
We shall fail utterly to compete with or
withstand. Western soldiers and sailors
are teaching her the arts of war, and
thousands are among US learning com
merce and manufactures. Her power in
numbers is incaculable. For centuries,
the wealth of the west has been flowing
eastward in an endless golden stream
and none returning. Some day our civ
iliZatiOn will come in collision with this
COLOSSAL power. Her hords only lack
the essential Of discipline to become in
vincible by any power the western world
can concentrate and bring against them.
The repeated attacks OF the western
powers, though temporarily successful,
are slowly preparing this gigantic host
by discipline to become the arbitrators OF
the destiny OF the world.