National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1877-05-13

ENGLAND AND THE EAST.
II Is now apparent that the duration OF
the war in Europe is TO depend mainly
upon the course which shall be pursued by |
England, but what that course will be Is
not so clear. The debate 10 the House of
Commons has developed nothing but the
fact that there IL more contention than
courage on the side of the Liberals, and
that when put to the test of their views
they have no common ground on which |
they will unite as agains; the Government. |
Nor do we believe there is the requisite |
amount Of courage on the other side to |
lead to the adoption Of such measures us
the DERBY note indicates would please the
noble Premier il he could only be assured
that 1t would be Compensatiye as matter of
pole The world is quite familiar with
the double bass roar of the British lion,
ahd knows full well that like its noisy pro-
totype, whcn there is disturbance among
he animals, it will give forth Just so much
volume Of sound, whether there lisa chance
for fight or not, and that when its voice
is most terrible its purposes are frequently
most pacific. So, when the 81. Petersburg
displtc1 was sent out, all nations were
waraed that deep agitation had set in, but
whether 1t was in conseq fence of dispo-
sition to do execution in the contest or sim.
ply because of natural tendency to dem.
onstratiou in times Of excitement, none can
tell, and there will be general solicilude
until the fact Is revealed.
That there is a considerable prcponder-
ance of the people In favor of giving aid
and comfort to the Turks, If not inclined
to declare war against Russia, is sufficiently
disclosed; but this circumstance gives no
clue to the intention OF the Government,
nor does 1t afford any solution OF the ques-
ton Of British interest in the conflict On
this point there appears to be the most sur
prising difference Of opinion among the
public men of the country. All agree that
II the national interests demand intcrposi.
ton for their protection, interposiiion
should be as immediate as the cause, and
as effective as required but just what the
interests are that copjure or erjhin action
is question concerning which there
is no concurrence. The special interest
requiring protection in the mind of each
seems to depend upon his prejudice against
or prepossessiOn In favor of the assailing
Power. Thus, one believes the Russian
purpose to be one OF aggrandizsment
purely, having direction toward India, and
he accordingly holds that British interests
there demand that the purpose shall be de-
Ccated by interference. Another regards
Russia as the most despotic Government on
the globe, and therefore seeing no enlarge
ment of liberty IN her triumphs, but rather
its curtsilment, advocates carly attempts at
mediation; while others esteem Turkey the
very Nemesis OF civiliz alton, and favor her
ACKNOWLEDGMENT by force of arms, and an
ALLIANCES with Russia for that purpose, hold
ing this to be the true English interest in
common with the com bined interests Of
Europe.
With such a representation of views. 1t II
clear that there Is no real occasion what
ever for British interference, further thar
may be presented by departure from pre-
vous compac,s by the assailant, aud tina
this ought not TO be anticipated, but left t.
= the Developments of the campaign. No
will any just minded person or Power SCI
any cause for complications in the fac
that Russia has seen fit to do alone wha
: the other Powers had stipulated should b.
. Joint duty. If there was bIckwardnes
' on the part of any of the signator.
= Governments to perform the common duty
: 1t is the privilege Of either to undertake
> slngly. This is the rule Of the courts i
u ordinary disputes, and what is settled lay
~ in the adjustment of private rights shout
, y be regarded us proper ia respect of publ
questions to be determined In the forum {
. nations. In all cases where 1t is the dut
70 of many to enforce corporate rights, an
> Joint action cannot be induced il is allow
Z. able that any party interested may procee
" alone in behalf of ALL And why not |
cases of International compaCts And fror
" all that can be loreseen In III
II present status of the Eastern question
= It is more than probable that this view wi
J.. be acqulesced in by all the nations intel
y, ested in the questions 10 be settled by III
" war commenced by one of them. II Russi
y does no more than to compel the reform
NJ proiessed to be desired by each, Their
q should be no dissent; and 1t may be take
10 as true that there will be none in the wa
y Y OF armed opposition. But # she overstep
" the mark, and evinces a disposition TO IL
4 dulge in anneIations, here viii be prope