The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-02-12
The English Fieet-Ths sultan and
the Grand Duke.

England's position in the Oriental diff
culties is not improved by the complication
in regard to her fleet, which may yet in
volve her in war, or failing that infict upon
her humiliation which must prove so NOR
tifying to the nation as to excite great Bit
terness against the government 1t would
be we'll 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 it to appear in the Golden
Horn, even now, with that easy fclat
which with the Prime Minister passes for
success. But blunder follows blunder, and
the end is not yet. Some days since the
British fleet was ordered to Constantinople
because England was kept in doubt as to
the terms of peace, and, fearing they would
be inimical to her, was determined to take
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 Eng
lands satisfaction with the terms made.
and it presented the advance of the feet in
the light Of step that England was pre-
pared to take if uncertain of Russia's
course or dissatisfied with it. And now
that the feet has again been ordered to
Constantnople Russia has the right to re-
gard this act in the light in which it was ev-
identity regarded by the English government
on the former occasion. That Russia did
so regard it is certain from what has fol-
lowed, for the Sultan's response to England
is simply Russia's response to him. England
requested the Sultan leave to send her ships
to the Bosphorus, and as the Sultan is at
the mercy of the Russians he could not give
such 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 Il hint
to that effect from them or spoke from his
own perceptions his reasoning is equally
in accordance 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 notified as to the consequences the
Russians would apparently prefer that she
should insist upon going forward. If 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, rs she
can with half dozen cannon shot-she
will be at 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 CONSTANT
nople on the invitation of the Sultan the
establishment of amicable and pleasant
relations between the belligerents seems in
q fair way to follow the conclusion Of peace;
and if, at such critical moment, England
takes an attitude of hostility to the Sultan
an alliance of the two great empires of East
ern Europe may arise to change the desti-
MES Of the whole Orient.