Year: 1877



 z Hen. George H. Boker, United States minister te the court of Russia, kindly accorded an interview to a representa- tive of the Philadelphia Press, the sub- feet discussed being the present state of Europe. The long residence of Mir. Boekr abroad, his intimate familiarity with the leading statesmen of the old world, his acquaintance with the causes which result in the diplomatic moves on the European chess board and his recent presence in the theater so soon to be the scene of the mos. rortentous events, all combine to render his views deeply in- teresting at the present time. That Europe is on the verge of struggle, the most terrific in history, is, in brief, the ,conclusion to which one is forced after hearing critical survey'of the situation. In reponse to the writer's request for his opinion as to the probable duration of the war as it at present exists, MT. Boker said: q do not think it will last long. Russia will carry everything be fore her, providing Turkey does not find an ally or allies. have the opinion of distinguished officer in the Turkish service as to that. He says that the Turkish forces are iH no condition to re- sist the advance of an army directed in accordance with the scientific principles of modern warfare, and that if unassisted by any other nation Turkey will find the Russian army in Constantinople within -six weeks.

 The officer to whom Mir. Beker re. ferred, whose name is not given for obvious reasons, has world wide repu. tation, and his views on the subject are cannot be gainsaid. Mr. Boker's opin- ions, given in the conversation which followed, justify the following remarks on the present struggle: The aim of Russia was primarily the amelioratioH of the condition of the Christians under the rule of the sublime porte. This was the object of the war at the beginning; what will be the ultimate end remains for the future to disclose. But as to Russia ac- complaining her ambition of becoming permanent mistress of Constantinople, that is another question. To this neither Austria nor Germany would submit, for the reason that it practically closes the free navigation of the Danube to the outer world. Without the freedom of the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles the commerce of the Danube is closed ex- cept to the Black sea. It is, however, not improbable that mutual under standing has been arrived at between Russia and Germany, and this surmise is confirmed by certain events which trans pired before the Russian declaration of war. The German chancellor has never given up the idea of crushing France. The wonderful recuperation of the French nation after the peace of Versail- les, the rapid reorganization of the army and the certainty that the struggle would be renewed at some future day-all these have been taken into consideration at Berlin. Germany to-day is one vast camp; it is stronger than ever before, and better fitted for war but this has been accomplished at the cost of pros perity. While France is growing rich Germany is becoming poor by reason of . the vast armies, the expense of which is draining the wealth of the nation to its dregs. This sort of thing cannot go on forever, and the German chancellor sees this as plainly as anybody else. The army is there for an object, and that ob- Ject is to so thoroughly crush France that all ideas of revenge by " le grand natien" will be completely out of the question for generation or two. Ger many could not carry out this plan had Russia been at peace, for the Emperor Alexander, when, the subject was broached to him, would not hear of it. And it is fact that but for his firmness and decision the Germans would have declared war long ago. Hence, in order to efiectually dispose of Russia, Ger many was obliged to wait until that power became involved with Turkey, and to effect this the German ambassador spared no pains in urging upon the Rus sians the fact that Germany would not interfere with any programme the czar would undertake to carry out. But so thoroughly was the reason for this un- oefstood at the Russian court, that when on one occasion the German ambassador was speaking to the emperor on the sub ect his emperial majesty turned his pack and refused to hear any more. But another most important factor-two oth- CTS, lndeed-must be taken into consid- eration.

 The readers of the Press have been made familiar with the excitement and alarm which prevailed in England. It is urged by the liberals that the conserva- uVe government are permitting the coun- try.to repeatssits experience under Palm erston, to drift to war" The latter phrase, which is so familiar to eyerybody