ENGLAND AND RUSSIA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5318, 12 April 1878, Page 2

ENGLAND AND RUSSIA.

TO THE EDITOR OP THE' NEW ZEALAND TIMES,'’ ~ S:E,‘—lMy letter.has had the to me gratifying effect of drawing forth several utterances bearing’on‘ above subject, lint amongst them'all I fail to perceive; a correct appreciation either of the motives which directed it or of the gravity of the present crisis. ’’ ' . “Bellum” in his singularly ill-timed arid witheringly sarcaitio letter evidently believes in tire, ojd saying, “If you have no case damage, the other side’s advocate,” as' instead of adopting the manly course of controverting .any_ot,.my statements that did not coincidewith his views, he-takes; refuge in a series .of personalities, with, an evident desire‘to sting where he cannot wound.

- My object, was, and is, to endeavor to combat a well-known and deep-rbiitecl prejudicein the minds? of ’‘thab ’ who ’ think and do their best to-induce .others to -think that no good word or deed can comejfrpm Russia, and who “visit the sins’dlLthe fathers upon the children,”, forgettjng, wilfully, or ignorantly, the mighty strides towards social and religions liberty mhde-during the reign; of the present EmperorA' . The latest, cause o.t the righteous indignation Of these gentlbnitri is tbe demanded cession of Bessarabia,’ which 1 they characterise % unjustifiable'and unprecedented. ’ What abSSfe the' annexation‘Of Alsace and Loraine by,the Germans at the close of the late German'war, and that, tob,‘ as the indemnity for a war fffir less justifiable .than Russia’s crusade againSt barbarity and' 1 ‘oppression’ 1 and against?'the desires of,, a contented and. well; goverr£ed people, and not from a bankrupt and ruined country ?, ... ,

In conclusion, sir, I am that dark as is fhe. be averted,’hot through the calm anil judicious statesmanship of Lord- Beacons/ield, but >by the continued ’ conciliatory policy of Russia • and yet no matter what concessions she may make, we shall no ddubfho told that is another prbof of- her cowardice’ -and- vacillation. i“ May every victorious-Power'deah as justly as Russia with her vanquished foe. —I am, &0., Pax?