The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-02-16
T. ngland Solemnly Warns That Ras-
cally Russia.

Gully NUesAas
England protests with some energy
against the Russian occupation of Constan-
tinople as in violation of the armistice, as
an act which tends to provoke those very
outrages against Christians which it is
ostensibly aimed to prevent, and as Gun
called for by any circumstances of military
or other necessity" If it is in violation OF
the armistice that is q point which
exclusively concerns : the belliger-
ents !" if it provokes outrages it will
be handy to suppress and punish
them, and if it is uncaaled for by any
necessity then perhaps there is some error
in the general supposition that Russia's
greatest enemy is making parade OF her
naval force and her bellicose temper in front
of that city. But England informs Russia
by two channels Of her ''earnest hope that
the Russian troops will not make
any movement toward Gallipoli, or
any movement of nature to threaten
the communications Of the fleet, rs any
such movement would be regarded in Eng
land as compromising the safety of the fleet,
and, in the actual state Of public feeling
Lord Derby cannot answer Tor the conse-
quences." 1t is notable what disposition
Her Majesty's Ministers indicate to take
charge of the Russian operations as well as
to direct their own. They send their feet to
Constantinople on warlike errand,
in contempt Of the protest Of the
nominal sovereign, and in defiance of
the rights of him who is for the
time that sovereign's sovereign; yet if any
body takes warlike cognizance of this war
like act, il any one proceeds on the theory
that England ''means business" and takes
steps to assure his own safety, that person
will be responsible for the consequences
and they seem to fancy that Russia stands
trembling under the terror of this response
bility and waits tor England to tell her
precisely what she may do. If this dread
tul hint as to consequences is not
an empty threat it is remarkable admis-
sion Of the helplessness of Her Majesty's
government, as il seems to admit that it's
future course is not to be determined by
what the Ministry may deem wise, safe or
just, but by the wild fancies Of the mob
excited by its antipathy to Russia. But
the Russian army will 60 to Gallipoli all
the same. II England wishes to send her
ships on errands that relate to the defence of
what she deems her own interest she clearly
has that right as an independent Power, but
she must expect that other Powers will avail
themselves Of the same. right to protect
their interests also In case the presence
of the British ships at Constantinople leads
to collision and war the possession of CALI
poll by the Russians, properly prepared, will
prevent the escape Of that fleet,
and the Turkish waters may prove
to them good trap in which to
catch ready made .iron-clad navy.
Therefore, the best way to insure a
pacific demeanor Of the English Admiral in
the Golden Horn is for the Russians to hold
post which, if the fleet cuts any warlike
capers, will secure its continual presence.
No doubt the Russians are frightened at the
possibility that the English people may be
furious about it but then they will nerve
themselves to stand that.