The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-01-03
England and tie Eastern War.

Al Inc Instance OIL the otiiaH. ING uels
task of approaching the Gar wisb q y e Vs.
negotiations for peace has been acce pied By
the British government, and there are few
who do not look hopefully to the result.
There is still, however, considerable excite
ment in England in regard TO the possibili-
ty Of 4 collision between Great Britain and
Russia. The public meeting in London On
the subject show that there is wide division
Of sentiment among the people. The I'M
usual event of q cabinet council held during
Christmas week had created much solicitude,
and a remarkable il not sensational article
in the Pail Mall Gazette, entitled 'sThe
Prospect Ahead" added to the general con-
Germ. 1t said that the council was held
with reference to the disqiieting reports
from St. Petersburg. Vienna. and other
quarters regarding the armed attitude OF
Russia, which is consistent with the state
ment that England has already in some
shape or other asked Russia for confidential
information regarding the terms of peace
with which she wonl1 be satisfied as a VIC
!oiious power over Turkey. The repuda-
ton of mediation by the Agence Russo, the
Official organ Of st. Petersburg. and its threat
of Russian advance on Constantinople as
4 consequence OF the encouragement asstlm-
ed to be given to Turkey by the early con
| veIing Of the British Parliament, have all
been Interpreted as indications OF possible
trouble. The Gar also is reported to have
said in recent address that he would not
consent TO mediation, but such Il report
| most likely oyerstates or misinte rprets the
| real fact. The report that the reinforce
| ments ordered for the Russian army exceed
! go, 900 men ; that the army of the Baltic,
Numbering 10000 men, is also being formed,
J and that Russia has bought 100000 rifles in
Berlin, and the recent significan political
activity OF Prince Bsmark, are thought by
the Gazette sufficient to thoroughly alarm
the English nation. The London cores
pondent of the New York Herald, as late as
Saturday last, says that in the English mill
| tary circles war is considered almost inevi-
| table; that arrangements are completed and
reglmens allotted for an army OF 50, 600 men,
and steps taking toward the formation Of
the nucleus for a reserve army.
| Whatever may be the truth of these re-
ports, it is obvious that il the proposed fresh
effort for peace should fail and Russia should
be successful in the war, there is a possibil-
| ity that Constantinople would no longer re-
main Il Turkish city. and, what is more per-
ilous to England. Russia might become a
naval power sufficient to dispute English
sovereignty Of the seas. The last is a more
menacing result to England than the first.
1t is likely enough that the common inter-
| ests of all Europe would combine against
making Constantinople a Russian city, or
more than an independent city, but in
either event English influence in Turkey
would be lost. Whether England will pro-
coed to occupy Constantinople, as heen in
dicated, or take any similar step, is IL mat
ter of grave question, as it would be simply
tantamount to declaration Of war. Many
hold that Constantinople has not been nee
essary to English domination in the East
since the success of the Suez canal But
the establishment OF Il strong naval power,
which might in time contend for her own
dominion OF the seas. upon which alone she
depends for the preservation of her national
existence from attacks from abroad, is quite
another matter, especially, as Si"ce the in
PRODUCTION OF steam, superior seal.a nship,
which was once her peculiar naval charac-
teristic, has ceased to be the controlling
element of naval warfare. It is easy. there
fore. to comprehend that England may con-
ceive that important interests of her own
are involved in rescuring Turkey from the
grasp OF Russia, and that she may act ac-
cordingly. In that event it is possible. con-
sidering tine disposition Of Germany to sus-
tain Russia, that general European war
might be the result.-Baltinore S1n.