Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-09-27
SALISBURY AND RUSSIA.

1t Is rather difficult to accept the
statement that Salisbury declines TO yieid
to popular pressure and deal with the
Turk single handed. because he fears
such action would precipitate general
European war IN which the Continental
Powers would be arrayed against Great
Britain. Students OF the conditions on
the Continent discredit emphaticaily the
suggestion that single-handed British In
reference In Turkey would bring Great
Britain into armed contact with any
Power. save Russia, II with her, ana are
satisfied that IL b. any possibility gene
raj war should be precipitated the
lines would be drawn between Great
Britain and the Triple Alliance on the
one hand. and France and Russia on the
other. This is made manifest by the an
tagonistic relations OF Germany ana
France towards each other, the necessity
of Italy's keeping, owing TO her great
coast exposure, on good terms with the
greatest naval power in the world, ana
the fact that Austria-Hungary has all
to gain and nothing TO lose by n con-
fict that would be almost certain 10
block Russian intrigue in the Balkans
for some years to come.
The truth seems to be that Russia
alone is the real cause OF Great Britain
timid. vacillating. and disappointing policy
in dealing with the Sultan. Not that
Great Britain fears Russia as a military
power She did not hesitate at the close
OF the last Russo-Turkish war TO say TO
Russia, Thus far shalt thou go, and no
farther" and by forcing the aorogation
Of the treaty OF San Stefano, rob the
Car of some of the most important
fruits of his victory Oh. no. And what
she dared do then she would dare do
now were only the question OF bringing
on clash Of arms with Russia involved.
We must. therefore, look for another ex-
PLANTATION OF Salisbury's virtual repudia-
ton OF Great Britains obligations 10
humanity under the Berlin treaty.
one explanation advanced, and it would
seem to have solid basis, is that Sails
bury is trying TO arrange a deal win
Russia as regards the African question.
1t IS well known that Russia has boil
stored up France in the latter's attitude
touching continued British occupation Of
Egypt. She Is suspected OF encouraging
the threatened French encroachment on
the Western Soudan, and 1t Is no secret
that combined Russian and French In
nuence has recently been very percep-
tibly eXerted in Abyssinia- 1t appears a
foregone conclusion that ii will not be
long before the Anglo-Egyptian eXpedl-
ton will have reached Khartoum and the
work Of pacifcation. civilization, and de-
velopment of the Soudan will have been
commenced. From the Soudan to Uganda.
1.-The Pearl of Africa where great de-
velopment is going on under British
auspices is not a very far cry, and when
the nexus shall have been brought en-
tirely under British influence, long step
will have been taken in the direction OF a
British territorial sweep from the Med
iterranean to the Cape OF Good Hope.
That Great Britain would be relieved OF
a good deal of embarrassment in her
efforts to consummate this ambition, were
Russia alienated from France In the mat
ter of the African problem, can be readily
understood. IN the mean time, however,
1t cannot be denied that British public
sentiment, stimulated by Gladstone, is
warning Salisbury to beware of the fate
OF Aberdeen, and that in that warning
is the hope Of the Armenians.