The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-05-04

England and Russia.
Lord Derby's exposition Of the Anglo
Russian quarrel over the sO-called Eastern
Question, is the most comprehensive and
at the same time the simplest that has
met our eye. We publish his speech on
the first page of this issue, and commend
il to the attention of those who feel an in
terest in European affairs and wish to
understand the merits Of controversy
which is likely to set two Of the leading
powers of Europe by the cars. Lord
Derby, late Foreign Secretary in the Brit
ish Cabinet, is considered one Of the most
conservative and clear-sighted of British
statesmen, and his views are entitled to
the highest consideration. He left the
Ministry because of his difference with his
colleagues as to the unnecessarily warlike
attitude Great Britain was being placed
in BY Lord Beaconshelds policy. He de-
precates the warIike policy Of the Minis
try, because it places the Government most
unnecessarily in position so embarrassing
that it cannot maintain its ground without
imminent risk of war, and cannot recede
without humiliation Calling out the mil
isary reserve looks as if England demands
that the Treaty of San Stefano shall be
tora up, aud that the Government is pre-
pairing to support the demand by war
There was not only no necessity for this
position, so unwisely taken, but there was
no occasion for hasty action at all. If
there is to be war, it must be mainly war
of ships, and not of armies. As to ships
Great Britain is already fully prepared;
her navy is not only the most powerful
aaoat, but, in Lord Derby's opinion, is
nearly as powerful as all the other navies
of Europe put together; aud as the war
would be q naval war, there could be no
necessity for the army reserve. We may
pardon this allusicn to British supremacy
on the seas, which may not, after all, be
as great as Lord Derby represents. As
Russia's supremacy on the land is at least
as great as that of England on the water,
the contest will be more nearly equal, than
in Lord Derby's view seems probable.
England must attack by land. if she would
infiict injury upon Russia to any great
extent, and when she does so. she will do
It at great disadvantage, for Russia has
more than two soldiers to her one. With
regard to the Congress Of the Great Pow
ers there was no reason for regret that the
negotiations for that had failed, as no
Government was anxious for il except that
of Austria Russia was indisposed to it
from the beginning; Germany came into
it reluctantly; and France did not disguise
its atrong aversion TO such a meeting.
Having disposed Of the subject as to the
relative means Of fighting as between Rus
STA and Great Britain, Lord Derby then
considered two other questiOns-if there
is to be war, what Powers are to be the
allies Of England? and what is England
TO fight about? These are very interest
ing portions of the speech, aud they are
important, too, as they embrace the points
upon which he Feels at home" because
they came officially before him as SeeEeta-
~ of State for Foreign Affairs. He shows
that, excepting Austria, England can look
for no ally among the Great Powers, and
he gives strong reasons why even Austria
cannot be counted upon with certainty.
Lord Derby finally considers the question
of what England IS to fight about, and
after brushing away the fog with which
this important matter has been enveloped,
very pointedly intimates that the war is
designed to maintain British influence,
which the leading advocates of war appear
to think has been impaired. But wars for
influence he shows are sometimes fatal
failures; but granting that the war in this
instance shall be successful, as far as the
mere shock of arms is concerned. it viii
even then be fixture as to its main pur-
pose, for it viii neither destroy Russian
influence in Bulgaria nor establish British
influence Russian influence there rests
on what cannot be taken away. and upon
what England has no substitute for
identity of race, commanity of religion,
similarity Of religion, traditional historic
sympathies, and the common hatred felt
ngainst the common foe" He therefore
says to his countrymen that in such a war
i'you are fighting for shadow, and even
chat shadow you viii not obtain.