The Evening Star TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1870.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2408, 20 December 1870, Page 2

The Evening Star TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1870.

As we pointed out two months ego, England's danger was in the East, and the advices received by telegram confirm this opinion. Russia has seized the opportunity of France’s weakness to demand some modification of the Treaty of Paris. That treaty ended the Crimean War, and imposed some disabilities on Russia respecting fleets, military depots in the Black Sea, and other safeguards to securing to the world the rights of free navigation of that inland lakc-and-river system and of the Danube. Before that war opened up the highway for commerce there, it had been monopolised by Russia for eighty years. The united powers of France and England kept Russia in check ; but now that the military power of France is annihilated, the Russian Emperor appears to think his opportunity come. Our telegram defines the demands of Russia as to the conditions to be modified. The ugliest feature in the affair is the time at which this demand is made. Nations under duress are obliged to submit to very disagreeable humiliations, and it is more than probable this demand, which sounds very like challenging England to fight, might bo very safely conceded in view of the altered relations of sixteen years, but the rigid code of honor of nations will not permit Great Britain and the parties to the Treaty of Paris to yield, without at any rate the formality of arbitration, either through other nations or the sword. In these modifications of the restrictions as to the number of Russian vessels of war in the inland seas, other vessels are equally interested with Great Britain. The war in the Crimea, though so trifling in its origin, opened up a highway for the commerce of all nations with the countries surrounding them ; and it is scarcely likely that the rest of Europe or America will allow a renewal of Russian monopoly. The reason why the demand was sent at the same time to Austria, Prussia, and England, is that the first proposals of peace were made by Austria, with the consent of Russia, France, and England. The Austrian Government is therefore equally bound in honor to insist upon their being carried out as Great Britain herself. Whether or not there is a secret understanding between Russia and Prussia, matters very little. Prussia has plenty to do—and if France continues to resist with that determination which appears to animate its population, may yet come off secondbest. On the other hand, Austria and Italy, so far as land forces are concerned, supply the place of France as allies to England, should no arrangement be made with Russia ; and England’s enormous naval power is available for the utter destruction of Russia’s commerce and navy—so that there is really no such frightful danger to be apprehended from a power requiring to defend itself in the North against Austria, in the South against Italy and Turkey, and on every line of coast against the best appointed navy in the world. If common sense ruled Courts and Cabinets, there would be no Avar. If common sense ruled mankind, there would be no Avar. Tire feeling gaining ground at Home is against Avar, and therein lies England’s dilemma as to engaging in it; but it is one of the consequences of the follies of the past. The ostensible cause of the RussoTurkish War Avas superstition : the real one jealousy. There Avas a dispute between France and Russia as to which of the National Churches should have exclusive possession of the “ holy “ places ” in Palestine. To England all this Avas matter of indifference, for her people had no sympathy Avith either. Unfortunately that curse of all nations, jealousy of each other, led England, Avhoso Avealth depends upon having rich customers, to destroy one, of her best buyers, and in this suicidal act she added .£41,000,000 to her national debt ; lost by casualties and sickness 24,000 men, besides having on her hands the maintenance of some 0,000 cripples. And now, after fourteen years, a demand is made to undo some of Avhat has been done at such a cost of blood and treasure ; and it must be remembered that avo have only given England’s share of the loss. The French lost (i.‘?,.")00 men, the Russians 500,000, Nor does the addition to the National Debt represent the Avhole cost. It AA r as merely the money necessary to be borrowed. It cost France an equal sum, and how much it cost Russia no human mind can tell. What did England get in return I Freedom to trade Avith the ports on the Danube and in the inland seas. The folly of .such a course is plain, because the Avorld’.s experience in all ages proves that no cordon can prevent international trade. The direct and honorable trade may have increased ; but The contraband, which was nearly equal

to it, is of course destroyed. The dif fcreuce, perhaps some hundred thousand a year, represents the gain—not a twelfth part of the interest on the money avasted hy Britain alone. ISk; f/fori a mnndi. Unfortunately these ideas ai’c too seldom expressed to produce much effect upon the avorld. Uttered in a remote corner of a young Colony, they can influence few unless they meet the sympathy of the pulpit and the Press; but it is every man’s duty to disclose the truth, in order that within the circle of his influence he may establish it. It prepares those who accept it to add their Aveight to its progress, and helps, however slightly, to crush the demoniac spirit of Avar, Religion, morality, danger, self-interest should unite in this. Perhaps the remedy will ultimately be found in that grand idea enunciated at Homo, of the absorption of nationalities into a European federation.