The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-12-27

ted to become a rival to England in the
money-making business OF the worldp
II England intended to fight in this
war as an ally Of the Mohammedans, she
would have commenced at the begin
ming OF the conflict. She would not have
waited till the Turks were defeated in
the field, and their strongholds cap
| tured, in both Asia and Europe. 1t was
| not the fall Of Kars nor of Plevna, nor
| the surrender OF whole Turkish arme es
TO their Russian conquerors, that
! aroused This recent British bluster and
braVado. But, when the Sultan's note
10 the Siguatory Powers OF Western
| Europe, soliciting mediation for peace,
was found to be rejected by the Emper-
! ors Of Germany and Austria; when it
was intimated in terms too plain to be
| misunderstood that Russia must be al
lowed to dictate her own terms of peace
and the settlement of the war, then
England began to be automatically
| belligerent. She found herself lett out
| OF the category OF umpire and arbi.
traitor. She saw her consequence sink.
| ing in European estimation. 1t looked
as though her views in the settlement
of the Eastern G lestion were to be re.
garded as ''unconsidered trif1es." Her
pride was piqued. she must do some
the "Great Powers" Hence her belli.
cOse uterauces and belligerent attitude
1t is becoming manifest that the
agreed issue OF this war. so far as the
"Inree Emperors" are concerned, look
to the unlocking CT the straits Of the Dhr-
daneIles and the Bosphorus, so long helt
closed by the Turks. This would extent
the "highway OF nations" SO as to in
cude the water communication from the
straits of Gibraltar to the Asiatic ex-
tremity OF the Black Sea. Why shoult
this not be done? Every interest o
commerce and civilization demands it
Even British interests, as we believe
would be ultimately benefited thereby
10 be sure, 1T would grve to Russia ar
exit from her domiuions upon the warn
: seas OF the world. Russia might thereby
become rival Of England il
the trade OF the world. But whal
of that? Russia has right Il
become a competitor in the business o
the world, no matter how strong might
be her rivalry with British interests, OF
the interests Of any other nation,
The Black Sea, occupying a position
most favorable for commerce. touching
upon Europe and extending far towards
Central Asia, has for centuries been hello
as mare ciuuSuDl by the Turks. 1t has
been considered by them as Turkist
lake, though having free communication
with the Mediterranean through the Sea
OF Marmora and the Dardanelles. Tc
open that great sea, even to the eau
casus, as q highway for nations, WoulC
result in such a development OF trade
as would speedily prompt Russia tt
connect that sea with The Caspian by
means Of railway, a considerable por
ZION OF which is already built. BY this
means the interior OF Asia, now almosi
inaccessible, would be easily reached
for all purposes Of commerce; and the
world woulG be benefited by the change
But England breads any approach to-
wards her India possessions. Sne aims
to keep the Asiatic carrying trade alto
gether i'll her own hands 10 that enC
tAe staguant Empire of the Turks mus
be retained as an impedimenJ TO bloci
the way Of other nations. 10 maintain
this chronic obstruction she now talks
Of war, war in defense OF "British in
terests." But we do not believe tina
bhe will fight. The conjunction Of the
Three Emperors" is too ominous o
evil in this regard. The perils OF thu
Moslem Empire warn her to beware o
linking her own fate with that of tn
Turks in this contest against CAristen
dom. She may succeed in making he
voice heard at the final winding up o
this great conflict. But we do not be
lieve that England has any stomach ioI
the fight itself
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