The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1878-06-09
RUSSIA AND HER REASONS FOR RE.
CEDING.

| The intimetion that Russia has given up al
topposition to the meeting of the congress vii
not surprise our readers. 1t is the natural re
suit of the ccmbiued pressure of English Do we
and German policy upon the Russian Govern
menk In their COOL quiet, cynical way, thu
| organs of Prince Bismarck have for some time
past been computing the power of military
resistance which Russia can oppose to Great
| Britain. The German War Office is a fearfolly
| practical place, and it's methedioal functions
riee take but small account Cf unorganizsd
strength of states and governments. ACCORD.
ing to the Cologne Gazette the whole Russian
force at present available for sotive service in
the field docs not exceed 600 600 troops of all
two.tbirds of this foToe-the GGsetfe puts the
figures at 412 500 men-occupy the Turkish
territory in Europe and Asia, including Bal
garia and Roumanis. This leaves only 197, 500
men availsble 70 make head against the new
contingencies of q great war with England.
Such q war would make is necessary for Rus
M sic ct once to increase her strength in European
Turkey in order to keep watch on the move
nents OF Austria, which could and would in
that event mobilize on the western frontier Of
European Turkey an army at least equal to the
whole Ruesiau force now occupying that part
of Europe. The revolutionary disturbances in
the Russian Empire have attained such pro-
portions that neither Moscow nor St. Peters
burg can be left without strong gsrrisons;
while the most ordinary prudence would re.
quire reinforcement of the troops in Russian
Poland.
"Ae 10 forming new corps OF trained men,"
says the Cologne GaSette. that could not be
done to any great extent, as the ne " military
law has not been in force long enough to form
the necessary ressrves." This last apparently
innocent observation will be read "between
the lines" at st. Petersburg, where il will tend
to confirm the conviction rather tardily got at
by Prince Gortschakoff that when the German
Chancellor encouraged Russia to enter upon
her conflict with Turkey, he did go with the
deliberate purpose of making it impossible for
Russia to reconstitute her military strep 9Th in
time to encourage any possible disposition of
France towards q Franco
Russian alliance. Il will also tend, doubtless
to make the Russian Cabinet scepticA as to
the support which Russia is likely to get from |
Germany, ct any European congress, in any |
policy looking to such settlement of the |
Eastern question as will really liberate Russia |
for action in Europe.
After foil review of the military situation |
the German Journals leave their readers to the |
irresistible conclusion that Russia ought to be |
thankful If she finds berBelf able to confront,
even with equal numbers. an English expedi-
tionary force of AZ, 600 or 50, 600 men landed on
tho Baltic coast. As the European drama
slowly unfolds itself it becomes more and more
,lear not only that Lord BeaoOnsfeld' has
shown 8 better kno wledge of the true instincts
If the British people than all his rivals put
ogether, but also that he understands the true
condition of the continental powers and the
cal drifts of policy in continental Europe
better than all of them.