The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY). MONDAY, MARCH 4, 1878.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5285, 4 March 1878, Page 2

The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY). MONDAY, MARCH 4, 1878.

ITheee is no denying'that the situation of 'affairs in Europe lias become alarming ithrough theexorbitant demands of -Russia. ’The simple announcement that the Houser Ihold Troops of England have been placed !on a war footing is ,a portentious sign of iimpending strife. ” That the wait vote iasked by the Ministry from the British !Parliament was granted by an overwhelming majority, will show that; the English people are determined, that the voice of ithe nation shall be heard in the sottleimentofthe Eastern Question. Austria jhas also obtained a war vote, and is mobilising her troops. The action of those, bwo nations appeared at first to have a pacifying; effect upon Russia, i but latest advices lead to the belief that : the Czar and his advisers contemplate ■setting' at/; defiance the , ; opinion ;of both Austria and England. There is a strong peace < party in Austria as well as in England, and on this Russia 'relies a great deal. : The German portion :of Austria may be described as neutral, ’whilst the Slavs, who comprise one half of the empire, are decidedly anti-Turkish and sympathise with their fellow Slavs in Itheir crusade against the enemies of their race and religion, Hence it will be,seen, ; that the war party in Austria is confined to the Hungarians, who are bitterly antiRussians, and would willingly have plunged into the war on behalf of Turkey on the day the first Russian crossed the Danube. Public opinion in England, as

interpreted by the Press, appeared to be about equally divided as to a policy of strict neutrality or of war. However, those who advocated the observance of a strict neutrality on the part of England are imbued with the belief that British interests are not directly or indirectly affected by the aims of Russia. There is no considerable party in England who would oppose the preservation of British interests by the sword could those interests be clearly defined. However, the war party in England is on the increase, owing to the double-dealing of Russia. When the conditions of peace became known, England and Austria protested against their' being agreed to, as they would tend to destroy the balance of power in Europe. Russia at first appeared to listen to the proposals of the two neutral Powers more particulary interested in this question. But, as far as can be gleaned from the somewhat brief telegrams reaching these shores, Russia has resorted to acts of a very suspicious character. Notwithstanding that an armistice had been signed, the Russian army still advanced, doubtless with the, object of obtaining a firm footing before the interference of the other great Powers. Then her paltry objection to the Conference sitting at Vienna showed plainly that her object was to gain time. Trickery, evasion, and subterfuge have ever been the characteristics of Russian diplomacy, and the traditional cunning has not forsook the Muscovite statesmen of the present day. Russia is playing a risky game. It is an exceedingly dangerous policy to keep two such powerful nations as England and Austria in suspense, and with their hands on their swords. That Austria has become seriously alarmed at the designs of Russia there can be little doubt, and despite his numerous Slav subjects, the Emperor Francis Joseph, for the safety of the House of Hapsburg, may,he compelled to go to war.:. In such event, his Slay, subjects, notwithstanding that they are of the same ; stock ,as the Russians, would rally round Francis Joseph. . The Slavs have ever been the most, loyal subjects of the present dynasty.,, Besides, though the non-Russian Slav may.be intensely hostile to the Mussulman, and looks upon Russia as the chastiser of the Eastern baroarian, it does not necessarily follow that he would desire to see the rule of the Czar extended in Europe. A great deal has been said about a great Slav Empire; but the cablegram published , the other day, r which stated that Roumania strongly objected .to cede any portion of territory to Russia, will indicate that there is little likelihood of all Slav peoples being united under one Government.. It is just as remote as that the Latin races should be joined together, or ; that the United, States and Great Britain should i.again .form one empire. Should war be declared against Russia by Great Britain it is, to:be:boped that the upshot of it will be that a curb will be put on Russia’s power of aggression for the future. Owing to the vacillations of the Emperor of the French, sufficient guarantees were not-exacted of Russia at the close of the Crimean war. Tlio same mistake is not likely to be repeated. The interests of Turkey would; of course, in the event of .war be left entirely aside by all parties. . Not the' slightest sympathy is now expressed 1 for the Turk. , In the' future his interests will be as entirely ignored as if he did not exist in Europe. What, a vast change has ibeeu , brought about in the minds of the British people in a few months? When Russia declared war a'considerable section of the people' of, the Mother Country believed that .the integrity' of Turkey was absolutely essential to British interests. When Kars and Plevna had fallen it was seen that the cause of Turkey, was hopeless, and almost in? a twinkling the integrity of the Ottoman Empire dropped- out of sight. There is a'growing feeling that a mistake was made by England in not joining with Russia, before the war commenced, in-insisting that great reforms should' be .made’ in the 'government of- the Christian subjects of the Porte. That was Mr. Gladstone’s idea twelve months ago; but notwithstanding his high talents he was scarcely listened to. Had England then followed the advice of her greatest statesmen Russia would have no more claim to-day upon any portion of Turkey than, she has upon Denmark or Swfldenl But Mr. Disraeli is at the head of affairs, and- not Mr. Gladstone, and British statesmanship as a consequence is regarded with contempt oti the Continent of Europe. At present matters look very precarious, and further nows from Europe will be anxiously looked for.