Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1877-04-28
The Impending European Struggle.

In Europe Tor one hundred and hty years tha
creates, problem has been the rcc.idcation Of
boundaries. France rushed to war at the very
mention Of Ilohcrzoneru Tor the throne ofSpain.
Prussia and Austria rushed to war when Denmark
refused 20 give mp TIE famous Duchies Of Sch'cs-
Vig and Hols,ein. Austria and Prussia fought
right afterwards because the latter refused % keep
faith on winning ,he Duchies and give them up 20
the Prince OF Augus,enburg. Austria was driven
oatof Germany by the issue ofthe day at Sldowa.
and Prussia stepped to the from. place in Europe
as the great recti6er Of boundaries. But there
was one restraint stil TO the power Of Fatheraud:
that was the treaty OF Paris after The Crmean war
Napoleon, whose as;uteness survived bis other
powers, relied on England % stand by France be-
cause the treaty Of Paris was o. moco vital mo-
Inent 20 England than % France or any other
country in Europe. That treaty prohibited the
Russians from advancing Eastward into Asia by
Che way Of the Dardlneiles and Constantiaop,e.-
British India and its uatold wealth were safe as
long as s1e treaty Of Paris vas observed. Poor
Napoleon forgot that Lord John Russell and Glad
stone and DisIvT were not like Lord Chatham
and Fox and Gel. Barre-that England bad de-
generated into a nation Of shop-keepers, and
wouldn't fight as in the DAYS &C Nelson and Ira
falgar aud of Wolf and Quebec. Like himself
English statesmen were nervelcss. And So France
was not ready and Bismark was, and England
more vitality Interested as ~ Thicrs told DE Eng
Hsb, tbag France herself allowed ,he great wars
90 proceed, aaJ 30 Crayelot and sedan and Metz
came o. pass.
Presto. 40 sooner was France down and Eng
and supiue than Russia broke the treaty Of Paris
and tore It into shrgds That was the first omit
nous note OF the wa, which to-day inpeuds. Sc
bastopcl had fallen In vain. TIE Sick Man Of
Turkey bad been protected 10 vain. Ia vain were
the gates % European Turkey closed against tbe
Muscovite Iukcrmau and Baltklsva were fought
10 vain. The policy % Peter the Great was st,l
che Naries, Destiny or the Russian Empire, aud
never would it be accomplished until England
vas driven out Of Asia. The Turks are mere /
panns 10 this colossal game. Cousiau;inor,e is |
but the stage and resting place in The victorious
career Of Russia. Al Indian Empire,
COR here the gorgeous East With richest hand /
Showers on Der kiugs baibarc pearl aud gold, /.
is the mighty stake the Car fight. Tor, and which .
NE will win unless France comes % the rescue q
Eusland and helps her beat back the Finnish .
tribes Of the frozen North. Does England deserve .
az Did she not let France fall from her high cs-
tate without firing a gun 90 stay the legons Of
Bismlrk? Why should France again .leaPing .
Minerva ike 90 her old life and power ht her
arm between the Muscoyits and the Saxon? We
yurposciy put England and not Turkey foremost
an the great impending struggle, because We re-
peat. and The student OF European history viii a.
gree WIKI us, that England is the most vitality in
terested % an ihe nations, ant while Turkey does
The hyhtng England chiefly suffers the losses.
There Is but one reason why France may De led
% throw her sword 10 The scale, and that is the
great paramount European necessity the recd-
fcation o. boundaries the balance of power
But then it will be her own boundaries and not
Highlands she sil wish g. -cc,i'y. 4, will De
Klsace and Lorraine and not Kr.m Tartary and
Turkestou that France viii be defending. IL the
war should dag in the Aus;rilns, Prussia iueri-
tally follows. England Will De 10 il 10 three
months after Sc begins. The Turks are powerful
and will beat back che Russians st d-st-but the
latter viii apply the Grant method and huri army
after army on the MahoumDdans TO their certain
overthrow 90 England re aims neutral That Eng
land cannot do, aud hence she must fight. 10 is
highly probable that the most terrible war
o the century is about 90 open. England and
Franceand Turkey, il once Chat alliance is form
cl, win yanqu,.h Russia aad Prussia aud their
Miles Austria viii feel that she owes a divided
allegiance a1d Italy win ultimately be against /
Sac Russians
Lfvar takes place thc United states will De the /
oaly grea; poucs 10 the world which viii remain /
40 peace. Our shattered material prosperity .
must De wonderru,ly increased by thc demand for 4
our commodities and fabrics and military stores /
which an Europe will feel and press upou the A I
inericans. sad that the miseri.s q the human t
family should be the means o. revive our own /.
prosperity. But The misery Is not caused by as /
and win, therefore, De but ,he accident ard not
The cause Of that revival Our own magnificent +
resources are The cause aud whether war ia En- /
rope or other efficient cooperating circumstances +
Influence our well being cause is IN ourselves
an the same.