The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-14
thousand Eve hundred dollars. Hamopolis
is already thronged with visitors from the
neighboring States.
Our Neutrality ana the Navy.

General Todleben's peremptory demand
for the fulflment of those clauses OF the
San Stefano Treaty by which the Porte
agreed to evacuate the tortresses OF the
great quadrilateral on the northern slope OF
the Balkan indicates that, in the absence
of definite agreements to the contrary with
Europe, Russia will resolutely hold her
enemy to the conditions of his surrender.
No other course is possible. Russia made
war, conquered her enemy, RETAINED from
annihilating him when he consented to her
terms of peace. The treaty she ex-
torted was not satisfactory to all Powers,
and she declared her readiness to hear the
will of Europe in regard to it, and to yield
to that will on any point that was OF Euro
pean, and not merely local relation. But
the movement to put the treaty before
congress of European Powers was defeated
by England. Thus the treaty stands I'M
modified, and Russia insists upon its
terms; for what she would have done in
the way of modification at the suggestion of
Europe she will not do at the demand Of
England. War, it is evident, may result
from her attitude, and the hopes OF peace
are again slight at ST. Petersburg. II war
comes it will be fierce and des-
perate struggle for either side will
be greatly animated by national pride
and excited by an unusual degree Of hostile
passion. England is great on the water
feeble, by comparison, on the land. Rus
sia's strength is disposed in precisely the
contrary way. All speculations as to easy
victories on one side or the other are likely
to be at fault; and the fancy that either gov
eminent is in such condition with dis
turbing domestic elements that war will be
q peril to it, or will dangerously affect its
stability, is o nonsensical dream. The
fercer the war the more evidently will APP
pear the devotion of the Russians to the
Gear and Of Englishmen to their monarchy.
Fenian hostilities are, of course, all NOON
shine. Canada's position toward the United
States is, in military sense, such that it
could not be successfully defended, and we
have only to take it when we want it. But
Americans do not want it and whatever
may be the wants of others than our own
people with regard to it. good care will be
taken that they shall not make such use of
our territory as to violate our obligations of
honor toward governments with which we
are at peace. If the capture of Canada
should ever be required our people can
take it readily enough; but until
the time when such q course may
be part Of the policy of our govern
ment Canada will be safe. Our neutrality
-
Every possible measure will be taken to
utilize the resources of this country for naval
warfare, and this in the interest of both
belligerents. Both England and Russia are
in the market here now as buyers of ships,
and this is legitimate enough. But if war
comes the activity Of other nations on our
coast will be greater rather than less. Rus
sian cruisers will lie in wait here for British
merchantmen and British men-of-war will
respect our laws as little rs possible where
these stand in the way Of their eff
forts to capture the obnoxious cruisers.
Our neutrality can only be defended with
the assistance Of efficient cruisers, and with
o view to this service the government
should call home our ships in foreign
waters The fleet in the Mediterranean and
all other fleets in foreign waters are merely
men-of-war yachts on pleasure trips AS
there is likelihood that they may be of SER
vice here they should be ordered home.
Our navy may be of no great account, as it
stands, for war; but it could at least be very
effective as a maritime police, and that is
what we want it for now. Let the ships
come home.