The star of Pascagoula. [volume] (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1873-1878, 1877-06-08
THE CRISIS.
An Interview with GEORGE d. Coker,
Minister to Russia.

/ HttOTUeu All lHltINltW " a itliNothba
tive Of the Philadelphia Press, the sub.
iect 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 50 soon to be the
scene of the most Tortentous 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 a 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: do not think 1t will last
long. Russia will carry everything be.
fore her, providing Turkey does not find
an ally or allies. ! have the opinion of
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 willhnd 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 a world wide repu'
tation. and his views on the subject are
those of an authority whose reliability
cannot be gainsaid. Mr.. Boxers o,pln-
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. Ie this neither
Austria nor Germany would submit, lor
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-
cent 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 V
given up the idea of crushing France.
The wonderful recuperation OF the
French nation after the peace OF Nersall-
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 rlcA
Germany is becoming poor by reason OF
the vast armies, the expense of which is
draining the wealth of the nation to its
dreps. This sort of thing cannot go on
Sareyer and the German chancellor. sees
this AS plainly as ANYBODY else. Tire
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 a 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 trmness
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 in 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 on the sub
iect, his emperial majesty turned his
back and refused to hear any more. 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
urged by the liberals that the conserva-
tive government are permitting the eoun-
try to repeat IFS experience n am
erston. ''to drift to war;" The latter
phrase, which is so familiar to everybody
who is at all acquainted with English
notifies, exactly expresses Englands dan
ger. 1t is well known to all newspaper
readers that Englands aversion to Russia
arises from the real or fancied dangers TO
which Muscovite ccessinTurkey would
expose British India. But itisnot known,
except to those in possession OF dlplo-
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 II 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
soiute control of the Suez canal. 1t
need scarcely be said that if this arrange
ment has not been carried into effect 1t
has not been forgotten by British states
men, and that they will not be slow to
act upon it should occasion seem to JUS
tifytbem. Now that Russia does threaten
British communication with India, and
Tins. 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
Eu-ono ENGLAND and Austria cOuld MT