The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1877-04-18
KUMORs OF WAR

The European war cloud has again arisen
above the horizon, with unpleasant indica-
tons that its dark and fiery folds will in the |
near future envelop Russia and Turkey, and
continue to extend until other powers are
included in the strife. The general impress
sion seems to be that there is now no means
of escape. Russia is aggressive and Turkey
is defiant Austria, whose frontier is ex-
posed, it is thought will be the first of the
powers not directly party to the contest
to be drawn into the vortex. England hasTast
interests at stake, and will watch with ever
increasing vigilance the progress of events.
Those who are in position to know express
the belief that the war, once commenced,
VIII become one of the most fierce and de-
structive of modern times. Russia can lily
afford to be vanquished again in her efforts
to reach the Mediterranean. The empire OF
Alexander is progressive as we'll as aggres-
sive. The great demand is an outlet, that
her maritime and naval Importance may be
securely established. Turkey is the great
obstacle TO be removed before this laudable
purpose can be realized. 1t is quite possible
that christendom has underestimated the
power of the Turk. Sick Though he may be
in times of peace, he becomes remark
ably healthy and strong in time of
war Assuming that il rs his religion
that renders him unwelcome in Europe, the
Mussulman's fanaticism is at once. aroused,
and he fights with ferceness that makes
him foe to be dreaded rather than despised.
The threatened war with Russia has already
aroused all Mohammedan countries, and the
believers in the Koran are focking to the
assistance of their European brethren. The
probabilities are that the iealousies which
Russia keeps alive by her steady aggressions
will be more than equal to the hostility that
Christian countries entertain towards the
followers of Mohammed, and that the
strange spectacle will be again presented
of Christians arraying themselves under the
| crescent rather than the cross, and of
| fighting to maintain the DEVILS foothold in
| Europe rather than for the extension of
| Christian institutions and Christian civil
zation. England, claiming to be the fore
most Christian nation in the world, does not
allow her religion to interfere with her am
bition for territorial aggEsndizement She
is for Christianity if it pays, if it increases
her revenues, exalts her power and confirms
her supremacy; without these she would be
anything or nothing as soon as she would be
| Christian. But dismissing all such consid-
erations and looking alta great war in Europe
from business standpoint and its relations
to the United States, it safe to say we are
likely to derive very great advantage from
the misfortunes of others Europe will be-
come of necessity very valuable customer
for almost everything America has to sell.
Her surplus food will be wanted aud all the
guns and munitions of war that she can
manufacture. And those Who deplore war
and advocate peace on earth. will be az ready
1 to sell as others, and will want the highest
prices for their wares. If England becomes
involved-and the probabilities all point
that way-the United States will be likely
to regain the maratine standing
she enjoyed before the rebellion, and even
tually secure the carrying trade of the
world. 1t is pleasant to believe that the
war, after all, is not an unnixed evil; in
/ fact, if waged in good cause it is vastly
more of good than evil. For eur part aside
from all commercial considerations, we hope
the war will commence and continue until
the power of the Turks in Europe is num-
Il