The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-03
"Between tho Devil and the Deep
Sea-"

depends on her whether the war spreads
and kindles all Europe in general con-
fagration. If England remains neutral no
other Power, with the possible exception OF
Austria. will take part in the struggle. and
the war will be confined to the two immediate
parties, Russia and Turkey. But if Eng
land takes sides all Europe will be kindled
into q fame. We doubt whether any
possible diplomatic skill and fnesse can
keep England out Of the contest. But II
she goes into it as asupporter Of the Turks
as she will if she takes part IL
it at Al-this war may sound the
knell of British commercial supremacy.
Inasmuch as ali lost by Great Britain
will be gained by the United States the
attitude Of England in this war is ques-
ton Of great interest to US. If she makes
herself the ally Of the Porte Brother Jona-
than will fall heir to the COM handing COM
meIcial position which has 80 long been
held by John Bull There has never been
European conflict in which the United
States had SO deep an interest
England is placed between two Ares. II
she stands by her traditional policy; if she
continues to oppose the progress of Russia
toward Constantinople; if, in the event Of
great Russian successes in the early stages
Of this war, she should think it expedient
to enlist in the contest as o supporter Of
Turkey, as a means of protecting her inter-
ests in the East. she will put the whole fu-
ture of the British Empire in jeopardy. The
ltrl< ,oI &c ~ pv,< ,ck Ia
may not see this; the rude populace Of
other countries may not see 1t but every
man competent to form Judgment Of ten
denotes must see that the continued COM
mercial supremacy of Great Britain is staked
on the part she may see At to take
in the present war. 1t is expected on
good grounds that she will side with
Turkey against Russia If the success
Of the Russian armies in the early
stages Of this war should indicate posi-
bility that Russia may make . victorious
advance toward Constantinople. If the
fortune Of war in the early stages of the
contest should encourage Russia to hope
that she may plant her victorious
banners on the Bosphorus, nothing
is more certain than that England
will come into the field as the sup
porter of the Turk. But few English
men as yet see how much the United States
would forfeit by England taking such
position. If England becomes an ally Of
the Turk with view to protect her route to
India she may pay Q great deal more than
all India is worth.
England is the one country Of the world
whose prosperity depends on its trade. It
is dependent on other countries for its food
dependent on other countries for the raw
material of its industries it is the
most artificial and unnatural Of all
modern communities. Other countries
are self-subsistent England subsists
on its intercourse with other nations.
Any change which should transfer the seat
of manufacturing industry to any other
nation would reduce Great Britain to
subordinate rank among the great States of
the world.
If England should side with the Turk in
the present struggle great deal can be
said in her justification. The holders of
natural that England should wish to pro-
tect them. If the Turkish Empire should
be extinguished its bonds would be worth
less and Englishmen would suffer. Moreover.
if Russia should gain possession Of Constan-
tinople England would be alarmed respect
ing it's interests in the East, and this is the
chief reason why she will become party to
the present quarrel if Russia should gain
decided military successes in the early
stages Of the war. England will attempt to
keep her road open to India, and the i'm
portance which she attaches to this
the commercial supremacy which lies
at the foundation Of her greatness
The English government is between the
devil and the deep sea" by its necessity Of
deciding between commerce and prestige.
If it becomes party to the war in the inter-
mercial supremacy which is the corner stone
of British prosperity.
If England should side with the Turks
her shipping will pass into the hands Of
neutral nations. Her merchant ships will
| be liable to capture by Russian cruisers, and
as the Russian ships OF war will have
little other employment they will attempt
to make prizes Of British merchant
men. The consequence will be that,
| to avoid capture, British ships will
| be transferred to other flags, as ours we're
| during the civil war; In the civil war less
than half dozen Confederate cruisers drove
| our commerce from the ocean. The Rus
sian navy, which will have but little other
employment. will make it impossible for
British ships to keep the sea British ship
ping will be transferred to other flags as
American shipping was during the civil war.
change in our navigation laws, which