The National tribune., 1891-09-10
yAR-CLoUDs GATHERING.

the Nations feel compelled TO maintain are
so bnrjensOme rs TO produce the feeling
that 1t is best 10 have at once the war which
everyone is certain is bound to come, and
have the thing over with. The condition
Of armed peace is even more costly than
war, since the ornaments must be main
tanned indefinitely, while war would be
short and sharp, and, if victorious, would
put an end TO the necessity Of keeping up
such expensive preparation. Ii is only fear
as to the result which prevents any power
from opening the fight at once, and settling
the question 10y campaign in the field.
The other warlike influence is the misery of
the common people, caused by the shortage
OF crops. The tendency of people in every
country is always 10 blame the Government
for any troubles from which they may suf-
fer, and this is peculiarly the case with a
paternal Government like Russia. The
policy Of such a Government is always to
attempt TO divert the minds Of the people
from their affections by foreign war, which
will keep them from seditions.
This is probably what has determined Rus
STA 10 reopen the vexod question Of the pas
sage Of the Dardaneles, which has, during
the last week, set all Europe trembling. To
understand fha Climatic, C,,lI,, q ,,,put DO
kept in mind that Russia's main seacoast is
locked against her navy, and the Sultan of
Turkey holds the key, at the command Of
the other powers of Europe. Her war
vessels are denied access TO the Black Sea,
which is Of the utmost importance to
them, as base Of supply and for opera
ton, since the only other seacoast that
Russia has in Europe is in the Arctic circle.
remote from the Atlantic and inaccessible
during the great part of the year. She
is IN precisely the same position we would
be If our territory came no farther east
than the Ailegany Mountains, and our
Gulf coast were held 10y some weak power
like Spain, which had the several power
iul nations backing her up in her refusal
TO let US bring our war vessels into the
Gulf Of Mexico. The reasons that the other
powers-especially England-haye for shut
ting Russian war vessels out Of the Black
Sea are that if the Gar were allowed TO
maintain fleet in the Black Sea he would
at once dominate Constantinople, be the
superior force in the Mediterranean,-tO the
detriment of the naval prestige Of Spain,
Italy and Austria,-threaien Eogland's oe-
cupation Of Egypt aud her communications
with HindOstan. For nearly two centuries
Russia has struggled 10 get possession OF
Constantinople and free highway from her
southern coast TO the Mediterranean and the
Atlantic, aud has waged frequent wars to
accomplish that object In the days Of their
power The Turks succeeded in driving her
back each time, and since their strength has
decayed they have had the assistance of
England and other western powers. The
Crimcan war was waged by England France
and Sardinia to stop the Increase of the
Russian armament. TENDED with the total
defeat OF Russia. Her costly docks, ship
yards and arsenals at Sebastopol were de-
siroyed, her feet was sunk or captured, and
in the treaty which she signed she was de-
barred from entering the Black Sea with
ships OF war, or building or maintaining
armed vessels there. The treaty Of Berlin
modified this 70 far as to allow Turkey and
Russia 10 keep armed ships in the Black
Sea, and 10 build arsenals docks and ship
yards for them, but no war vessels were to
he allowed to pass the Bosporus or the Oar
danelles, except those Of the Sultan's allies,
upon his permission and in case Of need.
Now, the Sultan has been allowing Rus
sian war vessels TO pass, under the pretext
that they were merely transports Of troops.
- - "i'' - 'Ai@b AS a. llAt4y 10 make more
important concessions, and that the recent
change in his advisers brought in those who
were distinctly in favor of Russia and against
England. They are able TO say, with truth,
that while there has always been a great
alarm about Russia gobbiing up Turkey the
only Power which has actually robbed Tur-
key OF territory is her prOlessed friend Eng
Land, which has seized Cyprus and Esypt.
The Sultan has made a specific demand,
through the Khediye, for the English TO tx
date when they viii evacuate Egypt.
Theresa general perturbation in European
diplomatic circles. England has, il is be-
lieyed, inquired of the Dreibund whether
they will join in putting pressure upon the
Sultan TO prevent him making any conces-
siOns TO the Russians. The German. Aus
triaD, and Italian cabinets have 50 far given
her no satisfactory response. They seem to
be quite willing that the Sultan shall insist
on her getting out Of Egypt, aud are some
what indifferent as TO whether the Russian
ships which have passed the Dardanelles are
real war ships or merely troop ships. But