Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1878-03-21

OF declaration of hOstillitieS. II the
object of Russia were, indeed, to defy
all opposition at the last to any attempt
to interfere with her autocratic disposi-
tion of Turkish possessions and to 90
to war to maintain herself, meanwhile
preparing herself to enter it under the
most favorably auspices, she could not
be acting differently from her present
course. II she were resolved that a
conference might ratify her demands,
but should not be allowed to abate or
negative them, she would be doing
just as she Is doing Notwithstanding
negotiations, avoiding committal to
ianything positive, and in the mean
while steadily improving her military
advantages.
This is MuscOvite statecraft through
out, and it is more than a match for
the straightforwardness of British
policy. Hence the only course LETT for
England is 10 put on bold front and
make ready for all contingencies. And
this is being done more actively than
is popularity supposed. The readiness
of her magnificent fleets to go into
action at once is known, but army
preparations have not been carried
forward with 80 much publicity. But
Mr.. Jennings states in a latter dated
two weeks ago that two army corps,
each numbering 5000 men, were then
ready to take the field, and others
contingents were being filled up and
equipped in haste. Still, this force is
small and Insignificant when compar-
ed with the vast regions of Russia,
flushed with victory and in
through fighting trim. At the first
note of alarm Russia could make her
footing on the shores of the Dardanelles
impregnable, and by skilful employ.
ment OF the drea led torpedo it is pos
sible that the Straits would become the
graveyards of Ensli iron clads and
sailors. Splendid and formidable as
are these monster ships of war, they
have never yet been attacked by that
dire engine of mischief, but in so far as
the torpedo has been tested against
armored vessels, it has demonstrated
its superiority. The sinking Uf the
Turkish ships on the Danube with
every soul on board is porte ntous in
dication of their potentialities, and
they may render the heaviest floating
batteries harmless for assault upon a
shore line thickly strewn with them.
That the Russians have them and
know how to use them has been abuud.
antly proved during the past ten
months, and we may be sure that they
will not be neglected if there is to be
struggle with England for Muscovite
supremacy in tine East With them
the British squadrOns may be entirely
debarred from entrance into the Dard'
anelles, and while the ships are thus
held at bay the Russian forces can
march on unOpposed.
There is little doubt that the situa.
tim is delicate and dangerous, and it
is also true that the Government of
Great Britain finds itself without allies
ut crisis when it especially needs
theiraid. The outcry of Austria against
Russian aggrandizement appears to
have been stilled by some mysterious
means, perhaps by the promise. that
she shall be permitted to annex Bosnia,
prize for which she may consider it
worth while not to oppose Russian
schemes. Nothing, however, is more
curious in connection with the status
of affairs than the seeming unconcern
with which it is regarded by Germany.
Prince Bismark has already emphatic
ally declared that the Empire is in
volved in no entangling alliances; that
the Government has no desire to play
the part of arbiter of the destinies of
Europe, but that it is ready to yield its
good offices as mediator when they are
solicited. We see no indication that
Germany is at all disposed to interfere
with the tactics of Russia, even if they
extend to the occupation of CONSTANT
nople, nor is she apparently anxious
to hurry on the conference. On all
sides, hence, it seems at this distance
that England must either retire from
all pretensiOns to check Russian
aggressions or else antagonize them
openly and defiantly, and back up her
remonstrances with all the force at her
command. We must soon see which
course she will elect to pursue.
Baltimore American.