THE WAR FEELING IN RUSSIA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5030, 8 May 1877, Page 3

THE WAR FEELING IN RUSSIA.

(Qolo3— The Voice—St. Petersburg, Fob. 16.) The cry for war rises again, and this time it sounds louder than before. Again the usual military arguments are set in motion, and facts are misrepresented more boldly and unblushingly than ever. War is alleged to bo inevitable and necessary. Two or throe months ago the wish for war was at least veiled by the lofty and humane idea of succoring oppressed neighbors, but now war is proclaimed to be nocessary in tho interest of Russia herself. It is said, " Russia wants war to purify her atmosphere, to redeem her from her sins, and to renew her degenerate race." Formerly the question of war was connected with Bosnians or Herzegovinians, with Servians and Bulgarians ; now it is connected with the name of a person, to lay a'snare for whom is high treason. We have learned nothing, and we havo forgotten much. We aroready to repeat tho sore experience of Servia, which is still fresh in the memory of all. The organ of the Servian Omladina, tho echo of the war party, which cries for war at any price, already names the day and hour when tho Russian troops are to cross the frontior. Some Russian journals urge our country to war with the whole of

Europe, by asserting that "the nation to a man would place itself under the banner for such a war, and would sacrifice all it has for such a war." What is tho cause of these cries ? Whence this warlike feeling? Wherefore these appeals to the people ? Is war now the only efficacious measm-e, and can the main object really bo attained by war ? No, a thousand times no ! By war, as a duel between Bussia and Turkey, only negative results can be attained. Be it borne in mind what we ourselves experienced a few months ago. After long wavering the Turkish troops gaiued a decisive victory over the Servian army, broke through its lines and opened up the road to Belgrade, and what followed? They were obliged to halt and stop in the place where the decisive words of tho Russian Czar reached them from Livadia. The same thing will be repeated in a Busso-Turkish war. The Bussian troops, when they have victoriously opened up the road to Constantinople, will be restrained by words which will resound at the same time from London, Vienna, Paris, Berlin, and Rome. Can there really be any doubt about this ? Can we at the present moment count upon the sincere support of anybody ? In a few days answers will be sent from all the above-named capitals of Europe to the Russian circular, and then all will be convinced beyo d doubt, that now, as twenty-three yeara ago, we have in Europe enemies—but no friends. Is it possible to begin a war under such circumstances ? Of course not; but it is also impossible to keep all Bussia any longer in the uncertainty which is exercising such a prejudicial effect upon every department of commerce and trade in Russia. Let us resolve to give up onr warlike preparations. We should give better proof of wisdom and courage by maintaining peace, than by declaring war. (Oraschdanin —St. Petersburg.) Some people in St. Petersburg (writes Prince Meschtscherski) think that Bussia ought not to make war, because Europe wishes her to do so in the hope that she might be thereby weakened. But on what grounds is this hope founded ? People in Europe fancy, judging by the timid articles of the Russian Press and the hesitating utterances of Russian society, that the Bussian nation, which so loudly called out for war last summer, now no longer desires it, and that Bussia would yield to the advice of the other Powers to conclude peace after her first victory. This is, indeed, a result for which it would not bo worth while to make war ; for this the Russian people are certainly not desirous of taking up the sword What they seek is something much more direct and beneficial. The Slavs in every country of Europe gravitate involuntarily towards Russia, just as Bussia involuntarily attracts the Slavs into her orbit. This is a historical law which Europe is powerless to resist. The Eastern Question is a Slavonic, and consequently a Bussinn, question; and it concerns Bussia quite differently from the rest of Europe. . . . Europe looks upon it as a diplomatic question ; Bussia, as a question of national existence, and of the future of the empire. Hence the voice of Europe in this matter can only be consultative, while that of Bussia is decisive. ... To seek a union of Bussia with Europe on a question in which their objects have nothing in common would run counter to all the instincts of Bussia and tho Slavonic races. The Russian nation does not desire such a war as Europe endeavors to impose upon it. . . . it wishes that Bussia should show, at thi3 critical moment of her history, that she does not fear Europe, and that she will be eager,, when the time comes, to fight for the freedom of her brothers and the heritage of the demolished Turkish Empire. It will not wait for the permission of Europe before undertaking this holy task. . ."."and it will lay down its arms, not when Europe wishes it to do so, but only when the last foot of Turkish ground has become Slavonic, and the last Slav is free.

There, is at present no Power to raise its hand to help Turkey. She has long striven in vain to induce Austiia to join her in active measures, and by tho last new 3it appears that she has given up all hope of tho immediate co-operation of Austro-Hungary. In Berlin it is said that an agreement has been arrived at between the Cabinets of St. Petersburg, Berlin, and probably also Vienna, in tho event of war. We cannot guarantee the truth of this ; but that Russia does and may in that event count upon the benevolent neutrality of the two neighboring empires, is not open to much doubt. But in spite of these favorable circumstances this war does not seem to us quite sure to take place. It is well known that the Czar and other members of the Imperial family are at heart peacefully disposed, and that tho war party is principally represented by the lieiv to the throne. Many of the Russian papers argue against war, and Prince Meschtscherski himself admits, in his letter to the Grascltdanin, the existence of an important peace party, indeed he accuses the whole official world of St. Petersburg of being inclined to peace. Our South Russian correspondent tells us how much the present peace party excels its opponents in moral worth. But, unfortunately, good does not always prevail over ■ evil, nor wisdom over folly. (Post— Berlin, Feb. 20.)

No more confidence remains in the preservation of peace. A Russo-Turkish war is considered at present by Europe as being inevitable. If war breaks out, the phrases of Turkey's independence and integrity will at length disappear from diplomatic speeches ; but the Czar's assurance that Russia does not seek any conquest can nevertheless be fulfilled, by creating a Danubian confederacy under a Russo-Austrian protectorship. Thus, Turkey's integrity being limited, her independence could be stipulated on a new basis. England would then get the right of passage through the Dardanelles, which would diminish the English fear of a sudden seizure of Constantinople by Russia. Of course, should the Russians invade Asiatic Turkey, this would be a new incident of serious importance for England, but it is not decided yet that Russia will invade Asiatic Turkey, and still less that she will make there lasting conquests.

(Lc Monde Jlusse —St. Petersburg.) We greatly fear that if Russia and Turkey were once engaged in war, Germany would renew hostilities with France. The possibility of such a terrible conflict, unexpectedly revealed by the zeal of the German Press, while the attention of Europe was directed elsewhere, ought to give rise to modifications in the policy of the interested Powers as regards the Eastern Question.

(Le Novel —Russian organ—Brussels, Feb. 18.) In presence of the eventualities to which the inevitable explosion of anarchy throughout the Ottoman Empire may give rise, how is it possible for Russia to disarm, and who dare sincerely give her such advice? The time is fast approachiug when will only be o::o way of maintaining an appearance of order in Turkey—the prospect of armed intervention and the presence in tho neighborhood of the Empire of the army now assembled at Kisohcncff.