The Evening critic., 1882-08-08

PUTTING aside the mysticisms Of diplo-
macy and interpreting the logic Of events in
plain English, it seems almost impossible
to avoid the conviction that England and
Russia are drifting into war and that rap
idly. That these two powers must fight
sooner or later has been apparent to all
wcll-informed observers for several years.
Hostility to Russia was the cardinal feat
ure of Beaconsfeld's policy, but 1t was
based upon an alliance with Turkey. Now,
hostility to Russia is no less necessary
feature Of Gladstone's policy, which differs
from that of his predecessor only in the
changed attitude of Turkey with respect to
the imbroglio. In the present crisis Tur-
key appears rs the protege Of Russia, and it
may happen that the same English iron.
clads which four years ago steamed into
the sea of Marmora to prevent the occupa-
tion Of Constantinople from Russian army
approaching as invaders may soon steam
there again to drive out of Constantinople
q Russian army quartered there as allies.
This, however, is secondary incident,
and is of interest only as it serves to show
that among nations as among men politics
make strange bedfellows.
The very latest kilograms indicate that
the resolute attitude and rapid move
ments of England have overawed
and overrcached the Turks, at least
temporarily so far as to compel the
Sultan to accede to the primary demand of
the British Government. At first the Sui
tan, acting under Russian advice, decided
to refrain from proclaiming Arab rebel
until after Turkish troops could be landed
in Egypt, ostensibly to enforce such procla-
nation.
But the British Government coolly in.
formed the Sultan that they had troops
enough there to enforce the proclamation,
and that until there was a clearer under
standing they would not permit Turkish
troops to enter Egypt at all This high
handed policy, coupled with the perfectly
apparent fact that England not only meant
what she said, but had the appliances at
hand to enforce her will, seems to have
disconnected both the Sultan and his Rus.
sian hacker; wherefore the pretended &C
quiescence of the former in the British de-
mand. This, however, proves nothing,
except that England's supremacy at sea
gives her absolute control of Egypt for the
time being, and it cannot be safely regarded
as final retreat of either Turkey or
Russia.
The English have now in the Mediter-
Ianean eleven ironclads and about twenty
unarmored cruisers. This force is amply
sufficient to hold both the Turkish and
Russian navies in check, and the Sultan
knows that any attempt to send troops tc
Egypt in defiance Of England's protest
would result in another Navarino. But
it is evident from the magnitude Of the
British preparations for reinforcement
that they expect to encounter othel
foes besides the Gar and Sultan
for at this writing no less thar
ten moro ironclads, tn, Neptune, Thun-
derer, Dreadnought, Devast ition, Ajax and
Agamemnon, turet-ships, and the Hercu
les, Bellerophon and two smaller broad
sides, are being pushed night AMI day il
preparation for Mediterranean service, to
gether with due proportion of cruisers
These preparations mean great deal, II
thirty days England will have in the Medi
terranean at least twenty ironclads and a
many more unarmored ships, which viii
enable her to dominate that sea absolutel
against all Europe except France; an
France is thus far quiescent.
In short, 1t may be said that, at the out
set, England IL not only ia position t
command Egypt, but, if necessary, to oc
cupy Constantinople itself