The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1878-05-30
bankers of Lombard street and the

bankers of Lombard street and the
Z Durse.
Because, therefore, Great Britain Is
strongest precisely where her Tartar an
tagonist is most vulnerable and weak,
she has adop:ei new and peculiar
method of warfare which may be
termed ''The Tiring-out Process" EV-
cry day that passes before sn outright
declaration of war is msuifestly clear
and great gain for England. Since the
first of January she has accomplished
tremendous results in getting her
military forces ready for action. Four
months ago her army corps were mere
skeletons, poorly equipped and i'll sup
Piled, and unable to take the field.
Now she can put at once into the field
120, 900 men, completely fitted for war,
and backed by strong reserves. Her
gigantic preparations continue with
undated vigor; war stores are ac-
cumulated; the means of transport
provided, the flow of troops from In
dia is begun, and every day adds to
the ease and power with which the
English forces can be concentrated at
any given point.
Meanwhile, every day that thus
passes adds to the onerous strain upon
Russia. She is forced to keep in the
field an army out of all proportion to
her finances, and to haYe it in marUh-
ing order, alert and ready for any emer-
gency. She has to guard against the
hostility of Roumanis, the tremendous
navy of England, the treachery of the
Turk, ana jealous and menacing
attitude of Austria, whose forces,
on a complete war footing, can hurl
against the Russian flank a discip-
lined and brave army half q NIL
hon strong. A combination less rela-
lively powerful than this proved an
over-match for even the genius of the
First Napoleon. 1t is scarcely too
much to say that the present delay is
costing Russia nearly as much, in
money and ia men, as a state of active
war, while it is infinitely more de-
pressing and demoralizing. This fact
furnishes the key to the present Eng
lish policy, which consists diplomati
cally of petty quibbles and technicali-
ties, while all the preparations for war
are pushed with tremendous energy.
the course of England is
blind, tortuous, negative. Practically
it is direct, undertaking, almost resist
less; and its goal is war-as soon as
the financial sinews of Russia collapse
under the present mighty strain.
Obviously it is cheaper to tire an en-
emy out than to fight him until his
powers of resistance are crushed. The
policy may be less glorious, but Eng
land cares much for results and little
for glory. There are risks in warfare
battles go not always one way. The
of Plevna and Kars and Schip-
KY Pass are not to be beaten easily, nor
are they likely to know when they are
beaten. The thing out process involves
no such risks. But there are signs
that Russia will not much longer pa
siently endure policy so fatal to her.
self, and whose motive is so apparent.
If she can but adjust matters with Aus
tria and Roumanla, necessity that
has now become imperative, she will |
doubtless occupy Constantlnople or
make formal demand for the with
drawal of the British fleet. England |
will then learn that she can no longer |
postpone the collision until a time
suited to her convenience, and duplic- |
ity and quibbles will have to make
way for formidable clash of arms.