The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1877-06-15
THE EUROPEAN CRISIS.

THE EUROPEAN CRISIS.
An Interview with George III. Boxer,
Minister 10 Russia.
Hen. George II. Boxer, United States
minister to the court of Russia, kindly
accorded an interview to a representa-
tive of the Philadelphia Press, the sub
ject discussed being the present state of
Europe. The long residence of Mr..
Boxer abroad, his intimate familiarity
with the leading statesmen of the old
world, his acquaintance with the causes
which result in the diplomatic moves on
the European chess board and his recent
presence in the theater so soon to be the
scene of the most Fortentous events, all
combine to render his views deeply in
teresting at the present time. That
Europe is on the verge of a struggle, the
most terrific in history, is, in brief, the
conclusion to which one is forced after
hearing critical surveyor the situation.
in reponse to the writer's request for
his opinion as to the probable duration
of the war as it at present exists, Mr..
Boxer said: I" / do not think it will last
long. Russia will carry everything be-
fore her, providing Turkey does not find
a distinguished officer in the Turkish
service as to that. He says that the
Turkish forces are in no condition to re-
sist the advance of an army directed in
accordance with the scientific principles
of modern warfare, and that if unassisted
by any other nation Turkey will find the
Russian army in ConstantinOple within
six weeks"
The officer to whom Mr.. Boxer re.
| ferred, whose name is not given for
obvious reasons, has world wide repu-
tation. and his views on the subject are
those of an authority whose reliability
cannot be gainsaid. Mr.. Boxers Opin-
| ions, given in the conversation which
followed, Justify the following remarks
on the present struggle: The aim of
Russia was primarily the amelioration of
the condition of the Christians under the
rule of the sublime porte. This was the
object of the war at the beginning what
will be the ultimate end remains for the
future to disclose. But as to Russia ac-
complishing her ambition of becoming
permanent mistress of COnstantinOple,
| that is another question. 10 this neither
! Austria nor Germany would ubmlt, for
the reason that It practically closes the
free navigation of the Danube to the
outer world. Without the freedom OF
the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles the
commerce of the Danube is closed ex-
cept to the Black sea. 1t is, however,
not improbable that a mutual under
standing has been arrived at between
Russia and Germany, and this surmlse Is
| confirmed by certain events which trans
pired before the Russian declaration of
war. The German chancellor has never
| fha nf
| The wonderful recuperatiOn of the
French nation after the peace of Versail-
| les. tie rapid reorganization of the army
and the certainty that the struggle would
be renewed at some future day-all
these have been taken into consideration
at Berlin. Germany to-day is one vast
camp; it is stronger than ever before,
and better fitted for war but this has
] been accomplished at the cost of pros
perity. While France is growing Tich
Germany is becoming poor by reason OF
/ the vast armies, the expense of which Is
draining the wealth of the nation to its
dregs. This sort of thing cannot go on
| forever, and the German chancellor sees
this as plainly as anybody else. The
army is there for an object, and that OBJ
iect is to so thoroughly crush France
that all ideas of revenge by " lie grand
natien will be completely out of the
question for generation or two. Ger
many could not carry out this plan had
Russia been at peace, for the Emperor
Alexander, when, the subject was
broached to him, would not hear of it.
And it is a fact that but for his firmness
and decision the Germans would have
declared war long ago. Hence, in order
to efectually dispose of Russia, Ger
many was obliged to wait until that
power became involved with Turkey, and
to effect this the German ambassador
spared no pains i'll urging upon the Rus
slams the fact that Germany would not
interfere with any programme the czar
would undertake to carry out. But so
thoroughly was the reason for this un-
derstood at the Russian court, that when
on one occasion the German ambassador
was speaking to the emperor onvthe SUBJ
iect, his emperial majesty turned his
back and refused to hear any moIe. But
another most important factor-two 9th
ers, indeed-must be taken into cOnsid-
Grafton.
The readers of the Press have been
made familiar with the excitement and
alarm which prevailed in England. 1t is
urped by the liberals that the conserva-
trv to repeat is experience under Palm
erston. ssto drift TO war" The latter
phrase, which is so familiar to everybody
who is at all acquainted with English
politics, exactly expresses Eng glands dam
| ger. 1t is well known to all newspaper
readers that Englands aversion to Russia
arises from the real or fancied dangers to
which Muscovite success Turkey would
EXPOSE British India. But tits not known,
except to those in possession of diplo-
matte secrets, that on a former occasion,
when Russia contemplated an attack on
| Turkey, the government of the cZar, in
order to quiet the apprehensions of the
British cabinet, suggested that if Eng
land felt any doubts as to Russia's sin
cerity in declaring that she had no sin
lister designs in India, the British could
take possession of Egypt, thereby secur-
ing to themselves the much coveted alb
solute control of the Suez canal. 1t
need scarcely be said that if this arrange
ment has not been carried into effect it
has not been forgotten by British states
| men. and that they will not be slow to
act upon it should occasion seem to jus
! tify ytbem. Now that Russia does threaten
British communication with India, and
| thus. as the English believe, imperil their
interests, England cannot long remain an
| impassive spectator. 1t is, no doubt,
this uncertainty as to the action of the
latter power which prevents Germany
acting at once against France. For, in
order to preserve the balance of power in
Europe, England and Austria could not
consistently stand by and see France
crushed by her mighty foe without strik-
ing a blow in her defense. And this
action would not be eentirely disinterested,
for neither of them would be sure,
France once hopelessly beaten, which Of
them would next feel the iron heel of
the tremendous military power of this
most despotic ruler of Europe. 1t is
| impossible to tell what turn events may
take in the next few days. If, happily,
the war can be confined to Russia and
Turkey, the danger will be over, for the
] nresent But once let Germany give the