The New York herald., 1878-01-11
WHAT CAN ENGLAND DO?
[F'rom the London Morning Post. Dec. q. 4

[From the London Morning Post, Dec 21j
To EDITOR MORNING Posr:-
srR--Is the Turkish Empire to be destroyed and are
her provinces to be dvoedY These are the questions
OF the hour. Russia, Germany (unclo aud nephew)
and Italy ana many jacknls and obscene birds OF
prey, VINO hope pick the SLAIN ny pow
erfu allies, say "Yes" Austria rs divided-halt her
subjects say 'Yes" half say .'No." She Is check.
mated by Germany and Italy. France would say .No"
if She could, but she again Is checkmated by Ger
many and Italy. England alono says "No" On
the one side, therefore, stand England and
Turkey-rurkey prostrato. crushed, bankrupt
her bravest slain, her strong places taken
IRON heron the other side, Russia. Germany
and Italy, with Austria and France as neutras.
What can England dor She has powerful navy
She can send to tho seat Of war army of $4,000
For defensive warfare 900 British troops
st constitute great military force. Fur aggressive
warfare In these days OF gigantic armainents they
merely constitute a corps darn.se year ago So 600
Brush troops would probably have enabled the
Turks to repel tnvas.on to dcicnG the line Of the
Danube ana save kars; but twice that number could
not now free thor country from the Russian grip
With an army OF 6O,O0 men wo cannot attack, but
we can defend. WHAT tnen. arc we to defend?
Doubtless we can make Constantinople impregnablc
mud the Darlanelles impassabe but what thenY In
such case Russia would stop snort ut Adrianoplc
and prosecute The war IN Asu Minor aud IN Syria.
In the meantime, while defending Constlnti-
norlc that was not attacked, and guarding the Dar-
danoes, that were not threatened, Egypt, which IS
the very apple Of Eastern eye, might fall the
lot OF others As yot Germany and Italy have oGly
gwen support Russia, out II not lmposSi-
bic that the moment We throw III our sword with
Turkey they may throw in theirs with Russia Ii this
occurs. aud the Russian, German and Italian fleets
combine the English fleet will have its hands ull.
With Malta and Gibraltar to guard and Will an army
at Constantinope or Gapoii 10 protect, u Cannot
spare many SHIPS TO look after British interests IN
Egypt. Let us clearly realize position. IL Is
useless to contend against the inevitable II Russia,
Germany aud Italy are detcrmihed TO commit
a great crime, and II Austria and Franco
sanction II England alone cannot prevent
~ but II this action OF the great Powers OF Europe
makes IL clear TO us that new law OF nations grad
ually taxing possession OF tho mind, aud coming TO
sway the practice oi the world law that rejects the
balance OF power that ropudates the obligations OF
supreme; tncG. when tho last word has been spoken
In favor of troates and International obligations, thcn
the law OF sclf-preservation Will compel TO LOOK
uiter interests, and to take that IN the
melee o Iawlessness aud disruption we do not become
the victim oil some crup ulous combination. Egypt
und Cretc belong 10 our ally, Turkey, and We have
more right to take thom than Russia has TO take Bull
garia and Armenia; but Eaypts tho high ROAD TO India
and 10 vast colonial EMPIRE anu is absolutely
cessary to the existence OF prc that does
fall Ino hostile hands. We have right 10 take Egypt
and Creto, out we have right, and indeed II Is
bodnden duty to ourselves ana 10 our descendants
take such steps VIII make thor occupation by others
impossible. Everything points to Egypt as tho key
OF British empire in the East. IL IL the only spot
whore the military strength Of tho Empire be
fully developed, whore the East and West Jou hands
With 90 0CO British troops In Egypt, British fleet in
Crete, tho front door open to supplies and reinforce
mcnts from Malta Gibraltar and England and the back
door, through the Rcd Sea, open 10 supplies and rcin
fcrccments from India, our position would be imp cg.
nabls could hold Il against the world. Yours &C.,
EDWARD SULLIVAN.
No. 13 GRosvENoR PLACE, Dec. 20 1877,