The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-02-20
ENGLAND.
Her Fleet and Her Future.
New York HeraId.l

England's position in the Oriental difficult
ties isnot improved by the complication in
regard to her fleet, which may yet involve
her in war. or failing that infict upon her a
humiliation which must prove so mortifyiBg
TO the nation as to excite great bitterness
against the government 1t would be well
for Earl Beaconsfeld to have his windows
insured, for it may be their turn next
Within a very short time the British
fleet could have gone to Constantinople
with prestige and effect BY wise and
adroit diplomacy the way could have been
smoothed for 1T to appear in the Golden
Horn, even now, with that easy eclat which
with the prime minister passes for success
But blunder follows blunder and the end IS
not yet. Some days since the British feet
was ordered to Constantinople because
England was kept in doubt as to terms of
imical to her, was determined to take q
guarantee against Russia. But the terms
were made known the same day, and the
order to the fleet was countermanded. That
countermand was an expression of England's
satisfaction with the terms made. and it pre-
sented the advance of the feet in the light
of step that England was prepared to take
if uncertain of Russia's course or dissatisfied
with it. And now that the fleet has again
been ordered to CoDstantinople Russia has
the right to regard this act in the
light in which it was evidently
regarded by the British government
on the former occasion. That Russia did 50
regard it is certain. from what has followed
for the sultan's response to England is
simply Russia's response to him. England
requested the sultan's leave TO send her ships
to the Bosphorus, and as the sultan is at the
mercy of the Russians he could not give
such a permission without reference to
them. He was under heavy bonds not to
do so. He could only reply that this
would justify an act on the part
OF Russia that it was imperative for him to
avoid, and whether he had hint to that
effect from them or spoke from his own per-
ceptions his reasoning is equally In accord
ance with the logic of his position Russian
dispatches indicate that the view taken in
st. Petersburg is in accordance with that
taken at Constantinople. With England no.
titled as to the consequences, the Russians
would apparently prefer that she should
insist. upon going forward. II she
does not insist, If she YIELDS to the sultan's
refusal, the fact will be disgraceful TO her;
but if she forces her way in, as she
can with half a dozen cannon shot, she
will be ct war with Turkey, and will at last
have driven the Ottoman into the arms of
her enemy, and will have given that enemy
a valid reason for the occupation of the sui
tan's capital. From the report that the
Grand Duke Nicholas is to visit Cons.anti-
nople on the invitation of the sultan the
establishment OF amicable and pleasant rela-
tions between the belligerentsseem ina far
way to follow the conclusion of peace; and
If, at such a critical moment, England takes
an attitude of hostility to the sultan In aili-
ance of the two great empires of eastern
Europe may arise to change the destinies of
the whole orient.