, 1877-05-12
LOCAL AGENT Is.
The European War.

The independent thinker, who has no
personal interest or prejudice at stake IN
the coming contest between the Turk
and the Russian, must he struck by the
apparent inconsistency that marks the
attitude of other European nations.
Austria, next to Turkey is the most
deeply interested. She can but view
with dread the hosts of the North press
ing down along her eastern frontier.
Germany, strong, united, independent,
self-reliant, need fear nothing. She will
neither lose or gain by the result. The
only interest she can have in the ques
tion must be one Of religion. Germany
has been struggling for long time to
bring about a complete divorce of Church
and State. True, the old element of dis
cord is at the bottom of the quarrel.
1t is the old battle OF Christianity and
MohammedaDism the Cross and the
Crescent. But the cry OF religious per-
secution raised by the Turkish provinces
of the north does not appear to disturb
German phlegm. At least she will not
take hand in the fight, unless events as
sumo different aspect.
France appears equally apsthetic. Her
avowcd policy is one of peace. Spain is
too busy at home, setting her shattered
household in order. 1t is bard to tell
whether the Khedive is anxious or
pleased; whether he will throw of his
'sultanic allegiance when the horrors of
the conflict shakes the old Ottoman EN-
pire, or hurling his dusky hor,ies into
the melee perish with them. One would
expect the Vatican TO bless the Russians
and curse the Turk, as he blessed the
arms of France and mathematical those
of her antagonist during the last Franco.
Prussian war. But the old man does no
such thing. His lieutenants of the In
fallible Church are investing the treas
ures buried beneath her affairs in Turk
ish bonds. He is 80 blind that he fails
to see that Christians in Turkey are per-
secuted at all. He Is even angry at their
despairing cries. Should the Russians
triumph the Greek, and not the Catholic
Church will be the gamer. Russia is
more tolerant of opinion than the Turk.
Were it Catholic Austria, or ever faithful
Spain, that was about to dare the scime-
tar, the whole power Of Rome would be
on the side of either of those powers. As
it is. she would rather the ruin Of the
Turk should continue if she can not
flourish on its ashes. England, Chris
tian England, with its church establioh-
ment and its royalty, is in full syRpsthy
with the half civilized Mussulman. She
knows it would bring peace, prosperity,
and higher civilization to millions of
protessed Christians if the Turk was
driven from Europe. She knows Russia
is advancing, while at best Turkey is
hundreds of years behind the age and at
q stand still.
Britannia holds the key of the Mediter-
anean and domineers over southern
Europe and northern Africa. But now
that the Northern Bear is threatening to
pick the lock and enter the sea by the
door menaCing her Bast India cong uest,
all her sympathy Tor oppressed Christian
ity is thrown overheard, and she secret
ly props up the waning courage OF this
far famed sick man. True she has given
the world 90 understand that she will not
intervene. This deceives no one. Il IS
OF as much value and as near the truth
81 the well trained domestic; mot Al;
home" 10 the fashionable caller Russia