The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-05-12
ENGLAND AND THE WAR

At the first overt act of war in the
East, matters looked as though none OF
The Powers OF Western Europe would
become involved in the great struggle
between the Car and the, Sultan; but tha t
rhe two great Autocrats of the Orient
would be permitted to eat each other up
10 mutual satisfaction. Most of the
great Powers had proclaimed neutral
ity. Even England had done this, but
with certain ambiguous reservations
that lett her largo margin for con-
struction or misconstruotion, as might
b"st comport with "British interests"
But when England perceived the
heavy columns Of the Car moving
down through the Caucasus upon the
Pains of Armenia, saw those columns
,luipped with batteries OF enor-
)nous siege guns, learned that
Inc great fortress OF Kars was besieged
II not taken, and the important strong
aold of fErzeroum, the capital OF Armenia,
threatened by Russian generals COM
handing host OF armed men, then
England understood how India could be
:eached by the Gear without stopping
1t Constantinople. And then it was
Ihat her reservation as to "British inter.
ssts" began to override her proclama-
lion OF neutrality. The debate, even
now going on in the British Parliament,
On the Gladstone resolutions begins to
disclose panicky condition Of the
British mind touching the safety OF her
India possessions; and the warlike dis
position of John Bull is unquestionably
rising to fever heat. Whether it Will
reach the degree Of ardor that shall
drive England into the war, can not as
ret be certainly known. AT present,
however, the teelisg developed there
looks decidedly belllcose.
That England desp ses Turkey is no
secret. That she hates Russia is an I'M
disguised fact. Though the Queens
son is married to the Czar's daughter,
that matrimonial circumstance has no
influence on the question of British in
terests." However thoroughly England
may despise the Turks, an alliance Of
rensive and defensive with them will be
perfectly agreeable, provided only that
"British interests" be thereby pro-
NOTED.
Assuming. then, that England will
Dnce more ally herself with Turkey as
against Russia, how would that affect
The status in quo? 1t must be granted that
England is a formidable power for ag-
gressive warfare. But her power lies
chiefly in the yastness OF her navy. And
yet, in conflict with Russia, how can
her vast naval power be made avaiM-
BILE? Russia has no exposed sea
roast OF any Importance. Her
commerce on the ocean is incon-
siderable, and can be speedily
withdrawn. Her position lie such that
no navy can reach her. To attack her
by naval force would be about like
bulldog attacking harl-shell terrapin.
England might send a squadron into the
Baltic and threaten her ports there; but
no navy could take them. So, too,
fleet might pass the Bosphorus and en-
ter the Black Sea. But Russia has not
a single keel there to be destroyed. Tur-
key has command Of the Black Sea now,
and what does that amount TO-? Russia
holds three land sides of that sea, and
ls assaulting the fourth, and Turkey can
not help 1t.
1t is true, that a British fleet could
land column Of troops at Trebzond.
on the Southern coast OF the Black Sea,
and thereby extend relief to Erzeroum