Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1878-05-07
WAR THE roLIcY or ENGLAND.

Auo QUESTION " wal VI pehcs III Lu-
rope has now resolved itself into o
gu estion OF whether Russia will uncon-
ditionally back down from the position
which she assumed on the third OF
March. All the negotiations, which are
now distracting the cabinets OF tho
Great Powers. and mystifying the minds
Of all peoples, are intended rather to
gain time than to form any new basis
for IN arrangement Of tho difficulty
There is one basis. and one only. which
England will accept as a foundation for
a permanent peace. There Is n con.
cession. and one only, which she will
receive as q guaranty OF her interests,
and lay down her arms. That conces-
sion il that Russia shall give up all that
she has gained by the war. retire to her
own proper dominions. and allow Eu-
rope to settle the territorial questions
which have arisen from the violation Of
the Treaty Of Paris. II tho Car will
consent to this-if he will. in other
words. practically play the part OF a
coward. England will withdraw her fleet
from Constantinopls, and peace will
reign in the far East-for q time.
It Is for this reason that we believe
that war is inevitable. Notwithstanding
the glowing dispatches regarding peace
negotiations which are daily flashed
across the wires. These dispatches sim.
ply record the con lectures and specu'
iaiionso OF correspondents. some OF them
very far fetched. and all Of them based
upon very small grains Of actual in
formation. But mingled with these
come more solid matters Of news,
stories Of the gathering together OF great
armies in the field. and great fleets in
the ocean. All Europe is arming a this
moment. and when all Europe begins to
arm, nothing short Of n miracle, rs Bis
marck aptly remarked a few days ago.
can prevent war. England. We repeat
il, has meant to fight from the begin
ming. and she will fight unless the Car
takes to heart the profound sentiment
Of Falstaff. concludes that discretion is
the better part OF valor, and rstires
Inundated from the field. which his
conquering arms have Just secured for
him.
Should Russia pursue this programme.
and retreat in accordance with tho de-
mands ot Lord Salisbury, she would
not only cover herself with national dis
grace. but she would greatly disappoint
Great Britain. II is the policy OF Eng
land to force the war just now. Should
Russia yield to her demands and sub
init the entire Treaty OF San stsfano to
a European Congress. Disraeli would DO
forced to join with that Congress. In
that event. it is more than probable that
the Car would control q larger follow
ing. backed rs he 10 by Bismarck, than
England could secure. and that the re-
suit Of the deliberations would DO to
so partition of the former emrire
Of Turkey. that E~ngland's interests
would suffer materially. while those Of
Russia would DO tsnderly cared for.
Then. IL Disraeli objected. no would
have to fight all Europe. instead OF
Russia alone. There is the whole gist
Of the matter. Great Britain. as we
have repeatedly said. wants no congress
in which Russia shall figure rs a large
element. When she has forced her n.
envy back to his own dominions, and he
10 in the position OF a supplisant rather
than 4 dictator. then she Is willing to
let Europe settle the questions at issue.
At present her only ultimate safety is in
war. and war she means to have IL 1t is
in human power to precipitate 1t.
Disraeli Is like Napoleon the First. a
man OF Destiny. He thoroughly DO.
lisvss in himself. and in his ability to
lead England on to glory. His sover
eign believes in him. and. better than
all. the people believe in him. He has
communicated to tho masses OF the
English nation some Of his own blind
enthusiasm, and all Britain is anxious
for war. Against this feeling Is Is ut
terly useless for the minority to strug-
gle. and that they realize 1t is evident
from the very feeble remonstrances
which they utter in Parliament. Dis
raeli is master Of the situation. and he
will assuredly plunge England into war,
unless Russia withdraws her preten.
sions. which is not at all probable.