The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-05-12
WAR SPECULATIONs.

The eagerness with when Russia rusneu
into the present war with Turkey, certainly
against the advice If not earnest rcmonstrance
of Europe, with the certainty that under such
circumstances the Car would in no case be
allowed to wrest from Turkey either Con.
stan,inople or any territory at all commensur-
ate with the expense involved in the war,
leaves room for much curious if not anxious
speculation as to whut Alexander is really
driving at
From "hlgh source" in London comes
this speculation;
1t is believed that Russia does not purpose
to push the war on the Danube; that she is
deterrlng to the susceptibilites of Austria
and Germany, and will not make an attempt
on Consiantinople from the north. The Eu-
ropean movement is diversion, the real point
of attack being Asiatic Turkey. 1t is this
which alarms England alone OF all the powers
of Europe, for DlsraelI and Derby see that
the possession of Armenia and the Holy Land
by Russia would place the Suez canal at the
mercy of the Muscovites. Hence the prepa-
ration of the contingent $4,000 men to occupy
Egypt and the despatch of stores TO Malta
and Corfu The diplomacy Of Russia has
been mastery from the start. The most Of
the lighting being done IN Asia relieves her
of embarrassment from other Cabinets in Eu.
rope, with the exception Of England, whose
interests in India and Egypt are directly men
aced
Another English speculation as to the out
come of the war runs IN this way:
If the Russian armies cross the Danube
they will establish themselves In Bulgaria,
and, instead of crossing the Balken range or
advancing upon Constanlinople, they Will en-
deavor to effect junction with the Montene.
grin forces. Thus the Turks will be entirely
cut off from Bosnia In ASIA Russian army
will cooperate with Persia. Peace will then be
proposed upon the basis of Bulgaria being
annexed to Roumania, in consideration OF
which Moldavia will be coded to Russia.
The Prince of Montenegro will receive con-
siderable accession of territory, and Bosnia
will be offered to Austria. In Asia the Per.
SLAMS will obtain a rectlfcatlon Of frontier at
the expense of Turkey. England will be in
formed that, If she chooses to replace Turkey
as the suzerain OF Egypt, the Continental pow
ers will make no opposition.
But representation that receives more
attention than any other just now is that
"hiSh S'iiSo thiOuSH % 'N''Si iiOhA A'Siii')
and if not written by, is said at least to reflect
the ideas Of Won Moltke, the present German
premier. Following is the extract:
The good people Of Paris and their fugle-
men at Versailles, cannot get it out Of their
heads that We In Germany are always think.
ine of them, simply because they are always
thinking OF US. Az q matter of fact, in the
present question, 1t is Russia which most pre-
occupies us. We understand perfectly well
that Russia is our next and most formidable
enemy and We also understand perfectly well
how to dlsarm and paralyze her. The pres
ent Emperor of Russia is a sentimental SIM
peton, without selfpolse and without moral
courage He has been driven into this war
with Turkey by the pressure of Russian feel
ing. We in Germany have permitted him
TO engage in il, but we are not such children
as to permit him to emerge from it either with
honor or with acCretions of strength. If he
is terrified by the attitude of England and of
Austria INTO making peace, he will probably
end very suddenly perhaps by suicide, per-
haps in the usual way in which Russian pub
lie opinion vindicates itself against incOmpe-
tent emperors. Ifhe persists in max ing war,
he will be Inundated and Russia with him,
by certain defeat, as nothing can be more
clear than that it is in our interest To allow
Austria, at the critical moment, to fall upon
his armies and obliierate all rccollections of
the Austro. Russian allanceo of lS40-50 Peace
or defeat equally will mean the accession TO
the Russian throne, under a cloud Of popular
discomfort and under crushing weight OF
financial burdens, of prince who is known
to be our special enemy, the CZarewich. This
is equivalent to a complete notification of
Russia, tor generation TO come, in the affairs
OF Europe; and what can ever hold out any
hope to France of the recovery of Lorraine
and Alsace except an alliance with Russia?
There is certainly something unexplained
IN the slow movement OF Russia toward the
Danube and her apparent lack of eagerness
to push operations in that quarter, and the
thoughtful reader may find something to aid