THE RUSSIAN PRESS ON THE FUTURE.

Kumara Times, Issue 437, 19 February 1878, Page 2

THE RUSSIAN PRESS ON THE FUTURE.

The “ Novoe Vremya” to an article on the fall of Plevna, says that,. although things.took brighter for Russia in the East, clouds aije gathering in Western Europe. “ Germany " alone congratulates us on our victory ; while England, envious of our glory, strives to re-establish the Eurojieaa concert in order to tear from us the fruits of our efforts and our sacrifices, * * * But Russia takes up a courageous and* independent attitutude, worthy of a great Empire which has begun its task alone, and will alone complete it. We will not permit any mediation that’ others may reap what we sown. We have, in originating the idea of liberation, forwarded our own interests and our own destiny; and.]we will, continue to do so. Qur destiny is written on the Eastern hoV'iz m. It was not without reason that;we extended our territory from north 1 to ‘ south 1 and

between the east and the west. It was ifrom the west that civilisation came 'to ua, and after having regenerated it an the fire of the Russian spirit, we must now with our new and independent civilisation become the rulers ‘of the East where our army has made ‘•the name of Russia famous. The East must be ours; our efibrts must bear fruit ,for ourselves above all, and through us for the enslaved populations. Russians guns must guard the entrance •to the Black Sea, and at Constantinople, the refuge of many races, the Russians must feel at home. Then will .Russian ships, laden with the produce of our southern provinces, lie :at anchor in the Golden Horn, and the cathedral of St. Sophia, taken from the Christians by the Mahomraedans, ifie restored to its original owners, . . . Our motto , is, Forward ! We have lifted on high the flag of liberation, ■of the resuscitation of the great race, «nd Russia will not allow it to be lowered. The “ Grashdanin,” writes in the same tone :— H What onr enemies fear,” it says, “is to see the Russian ufmy before Constantinople; they look upon this as inevitable, if the campaign •‘should continue. Lord Derby was right in saying that the Russians would yet Have many difficulties to overcome before, they could reach Constantinople ; . . but the capture of Constantinople would .certainly be far less difficult than that of Kars. The'Rnssian people desire peace, but not too soon, for they know that the object of the war canmot be attained except by the complete destruction of the Turkish power. The filler of the Ottomans must he crushed like those of Kazan, Astrakhan, and the Gaucasufc, and'the struggle will met be oyer until the Turkish princes trade as peacefully in soap and dressing gowniß as thosem Kazan and Astrakhan. 'To conclude peace at Adrianople will net solve the Eastern ‘Question.; a ipeace at Constantinople may ‘perhaps do-80$ •