The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-04-16
Diseussing Peace and Preparing f0r
War.

Both Russia and England may fairly be
credited with full sincerity in their respec-
tive and repeated declarations of desire to
avoid war; but both desire to avoid it, of
course, within the limits of what may be
done without loss Of dignity. Russia not
only cannot relinquish her treaty, but she
cannot, with satisfaction to herself, relin-
quish the stand taken against the submis-
sion flthe whole treaty to the revision of
States animated by no other interest in
it than hostility to Russian purposes.
England assumed threatening attitude
in consequence Of Russia's refusal TO sub
NIT the whole treaty to revision, and from
the position thus taken it is difficult for her
to retire without real or apparent conces-
sion on the part Of Russia to her demand.
Perhaps the diplomatic action reported to
have been taken at Berlin may furnish a
safe way through the mazes by which war
may be avoided, and dignity saved on both
sides. The substance OF the German propo-
sition appears to be that fair compensa-
tjon to Russia for her sacrifices and losses
shall be conceded on all hands rs her due,
and that she shall take and possess this
compensation rs by the right Of the victor,
not subject to revision On the part Of any
other Powers; but that, aside from the COM
pensation so conceded, all other points Of
relation between her and Turkey shall only
be determined in common with the other
Powers, and by their consent given in Con-
gress. Here the principle is evidently fair,
and is just one to be applied in circum-
stances where, as between Russia and
Turkey, there exist issues that they as
independent Powers have the right to
decide between themselves, and other issues
which. in the interest Of the peace and
tranquility of Europe, should not be deter
mined by the result OF war between two
Powers to the exclusion OF the rights OF
others. But, though the principle is just,
its application will not be easily made to
the satisfaction of all the parties. Perhaps
the suggestion Of an application as sketched
at Berlin-the recognition of Russia's right
to an indemnity-to Bessarabia and to Ar
menia, rs far as Erzeroum and the submits
sion of all other points to congress, is as
near right as any proposition could be in
the circumstances
While the discussion Of peace is active
England's preparations for war continue, and
Russia is apparently not idle in that re-
spect. One Of the ways in which Russia is
preparing for war is shown in our de-
spatches to-day. From Cronstadt it is re-
ported that scheme for the organization of
q Russian ''privateer" fleet on our eide the
ocean is on foot and is making rapid prog
ress; that the officers who are to come to
the United States to purchase and COM
mand the vessels are designated; that the
Grand Duke Alexis will be admiral Of this
squadron, and that seamon from the
Baltic fleet detailed to man such
ships are under orders to hold
themselves in readiness to leave for q
foreign rendezvous ut moments notice.
Evidently the Cronstadt correspondent who
supplies this news has odd notions rs to
what constitutes q privateer when he rates
as such vessels that are to be purchased
with public moneys, manned by sailors
from national navy and commanded by
Russian naval officers. With correction
as to the classification Of the ships Of which
no writes his news is not necessarily in
credible. That Russia counts upon the
havoc to be made on English commerce
by feet Of fast cruisers is very possible.
Indeed, such a war measure against a Power
like England is naturally one Of the first
that must suggest itself to any person who
gives the rein to his fancy in speculation ms
to what these two Powers could possibly do
to hurt one another. At England herself
Russia cannot get. Russian soil is within
the reach of English soldiers, but British
soil cannot be touched by the foot Of
Russian invader. 1t would be, moreover,
q hopeless battle for Russia to attempt to
cope with England's navy by means Of any
armed fleet that she now possesses or could
construct But in that vast commercial
marine which is 80 important q source Of
wealth, and consequently Of her
power, she is clearly vulnerable; and if the
Russian government has not already con-
templated blow at that, and planned the
means for making such blow effective, it
has been delinquent in plain duty.
But how can Russia get at British COM
merce? Where are the swift cruisers to
come from? BY what means shall they be
armed? And in what manner can they get
10 sea? Once at sea, moreover, will they
not be overmatched by the swift gunboats
that England can put forth almost without
as conveys for her traders? These
are the problems that the Russian Ministry
and the Russian navy have to deal
with. Privateering is out of the ques-
ton, for Russia is pledged against
ii in compact made with other
States Of Europe, and we are pledged in q
compact made with England not to afford
any facilities for il in case in which we
are neutrals while England is at war. That
compact our government will keep, or will
honestly endeavor to keep, we believe, with
a rigor and o good faith that England did