THE RUSSIANS OF TO-DAY.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1267, 10 April 1878, Page 3

THE RUSSIANS OF TO-DAY.

The Ftttube of To-Day. (From the “ Pall Mall Gazette.) If anybody had inquired eighteen months ago as to the future of Russia, the answer he would have received would have been very different from the one that would be vouchsafed to him now. Russia seemed then to be hurrying towards her fall. Embroiled in financial difficulties, distracted by interstine plots, plagued with an administrative corruption so deep that its effects were felt under the form of a festering discontent in all classes, it was evident that a fierce crisis was approaching, and that the first phase of it would be war. Corrupt States in difficulties always think of war ; and Russia had one of those big, ill-paid, ill-officered armies which if not turned to account for the purpose of slaughtering foreigners are apt to turn mutinous at homo. The danger was so pressing tiiat the Czar became hypochondriacal. This was perceived by all who came near him. The melancholy madness that had run through the veins of Paul, of Alexander, of Nicholas in the last months of his life, seemed to have marked out a new victim in the Prince who had begun his reign with noble acts, but who had been turned from his natural bent of graciousness by the inllucnces of a dissolute Court and by evil counsellors. Evidently the Czar feared war scarcely less than peace ; but theVe lay the implacable alternative between some savage revolution in which the Tnrone would be overturned or a war in which, by hook or by crook, [some glory might be won to consolidate his throne for a little while longer—and so lie choose war; or rather his advisers chose it for him. But in his heart he hud little hope of success ; and certainly those who watched his reckless adventure had at first still less. There was not a politician in Europe but knew that the grievances of the oppressed Christians in Turkey, which the most bloody-handed Government in the world took for its war cry, were but a paltry pretence ; and it was considered that England, whose interests wore menaced by a Russian war of aggression, would interfere, amid the approval, if not with the alliance, of every free State in Christendom. Had England’ done this, Turkey, saved from destruction by British arms, must have yielded to British advice as to the government of her subject provinces, which would then have got better terms than they are ever likely to obtain from Russia; and the latter country, overthrown as a dominant military Power, would before long have found regeneration as a free community. It may be said that a European war might have resulted from British interference in the East. Perhaps ; but with England, France, Austria, I taly, Denmark, Holland, and Belgium all on one side, the outcome of a general war would have been the satisfactory settlement of all the questions pending between Slate and : State. Europe would have entered into a long and strengthening peace like that which followed Waterloo; and certainly if there was a class of men who,-more than another, had a solid interest 'iu seeing this state of things come to pass, that class ought to have included the Liberals in every country. But it was precisely the British Liberals who caused matters to take a different turn. Led on by the statesman who had formerly denounced the despotic rule of King Bomba in Naples, these men, blinded by party , passion, and amid the astonishment of the Liberals in every other country, raised the cry of Russian humanity and disinterestedness, forsooth L They gave Russia a strength i which her*arms would never have secured for her. Thcy’scaled the fate of Turkey, threw their Bulgarian proteges under the Russian heel, and sowed the seeds of many a future war. It would have taken a clear-sighted Liberal to predict that a party of peace and progress would ever act in this way, at the bidding of a man soured at having lost his popularity and burning to revenge himself by hampering hiq in office. But the mischief has been done, and it ! behoves one less to mourn over what is irrevocable than to examine the probable results of the most stupendous piece of political waywardness that ever placed a great country iu jeopardy. First, the progress of Russia ; in civilisation has been indefinitely, ad journed; for the condition of popular’sentiment in the country is such that the Government cannot * concede one reform without yielding many ; and, as these reforms would involve the sweeping away of the Tschinn, the tschinovniks who hold the power in their hands will prefer to yield nothing. Why should they do so when, now that ttie nation is elated by victory, they can keep it under control by turning its thoughts towards new and greater conquests iu the future ? A people that is being trained in the arts of war for some specific purpose forgets its burdens and grievances. Present disoqmfovta we lightened by the prospect of a better time coming, when there will be spoils to share and honors to show ; and it some reflect that there cannot bo spoils and honors for everybody, whereas all may count upon a share of hardships and wounds, these are the few whose voice are not heard amid the general martial clamor. Russian peacemongers are going to have a poor lime of it; for a greater war than Russia over waged before is held to be preparing, and this time the enemy will be England. There will be no concealment about it. Al’t over that vast country, which_ covers an extent half a 4 jjargo' as ‘Europe, it ia known already that Russia has given England a ! buffet, and to-morrow it will bo known that England, fretful under her humiliation, has become a menace for Russian interests. With such fables as ignorant, halfbarbarous peoples easily swallow, it will bo told to the hungry ' mujick that England i?. the country which prevents him frgin bettering himself at the expense of the sunny kingdoms of Hindustan. Where these kingdoms lie the mujick does not Hn.owj but he will dream of them, and be ready to fight for them when the time conies. Meanwhile there will bo no stinting of Russian armaments —no questioning us to whether six millions, or sixteen, or sixty can be afforded for the work of making Russia fit to satiate her ambition. The money will be found qoraewhere by ioau fl ai yl hoaped-up tax'eq; aufi every year gold will be squandered in piles to provide artillery, improved rifles, and gaudily-equipped regiments, tor a country which has scarcely any schools, pave ments, or drains. To keep pace with ao gigantic an amament, England will have to

put forth her best too, or else she will lose India. It is of no use to blink this issue. From the moment when Turkey was struck down England had no idly ir (lie East. Her possessions must, now be guarded by herself alone, and it will be belter for her if she at once accepts the fact that she cannot guard them with such forces as have hitherto sufficed. Liberal policy has laid upon England the necessity of soon quadrupling her array and doubling her fleet; and the best that an Englishman can hope is that his countrymen will proceed to do this while it is yet time, and not wait till a disaster overtakes them. Ultimately, of course, Russia must be overtaken by the fate that comes upon all barbarous States that grow too big. It must fall to pieces. The old Muscovites, who foresee this, have never been anxious for the conquest of Constantinople, knowing that this city would shortly become the capital of the Empire ; and that between the races established in indolent ease among the provinces of the sunny south and those hardened in the cold climate of the north there would be a disruption. Neither can Russia eternally stave off the difficulties engendered by the Socialism that lurks in country districts and the fanatical Nihilism which is smouldering in the towns. The day will come when the sword must be sheathed, and when home questions will come to the front; and then the dangers of a mighty convulsion that will heave up the whole country and plunge it into anarchy will arise. But this is looking far afield; and it is enough for England that when Plevna fell Russia renewed her lease of military power and turbulence for another generation at least. She has become an overt enemy whom Englishmen cannot afford to ignore—least of all to despise. England can still prevent her from doing her worst; but it is only vigilance and strength that will check her, not sentiment and weakness.