THE EUROPEAN OUTLOOK.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5328, 25 April 1878, Page 3

THE EUROPEAN OUTLOOK.

TO THE EDITOB OB' THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Snt, —Many of the telegrams lately received from London induce a hope that the present European complications may be smoothed away without a war between England and Russia. It seems to me that Turkey, although utterly vanquished by Russia, holds a most influential position at present. Should she ally herself with Russia, as lately seemed probable,the British warships now in the Sea of Marmora would have very great difficulty in forcing their way out through the Dardanelles. With a rapid current in their favor and great steam power they would be able to run by the batteries without a check, unless some of the enemies fire should injure a vessel’s machinery, were it not for lines of torpedoes laid across the narrow channel opposite the Chanak forts. It would be impossible I fear for a fleet to pass the formidable batteries erected on both sides of the strait without being delayed by torpedoes. It seems to be admitted that these submarine defences are,not very dangerous when their position is tolerably well known and they are not guarded by artillery, but it would be quite impossible for any boats to keep afloat while attempting to destroy torpedoes near Chanak, either by cutting the wires, or by the effective mode of exploding what may be termed countermines. The fleet could not run the gauntlet at night without being exposed to the fire of the heavy guns, for the electric light could be used to illuminate the whole of the narrow passage. Should the ships have to fight their way out there would be a most terrible battle. Huge guns and thick armor plates would be subjected to tests that have not yet been applied to them, and it could hardly be hoped that the fleet could escape without suffering severe losses. Some of the -batteries would, it may be expected, be silenced by tfie ships’ fire ; but there are others on the hills that could not be touched by shot , from the water level, but could fire right down on to the ships’ decks. Should Turkey side with England and Austria, and be assisted by the Roumanian army, it seems highly probable that the whole of the Russian troops smith of the Danube might be made prisoners of war, and the Czar's power thus greatly crippled. The Austrian and Roumanian forces would cut off all communication by land, while the British and Turkish fleets would prevent the Russian army from being succored by sea. It appears to me that most danger would be caused to England by an alliance between Russia and Turkey, for an immense number of our Indian fellow-subjects would be inclined to take parts with their co-religionists the Turks ; and Russia might exercise her influence in Central Asia to cause such trouble in India that the power of Great Britain would be greatly weakened in Europe by having to strengthen her forces in the East. Russia, rather than accede to the demands made by the English Government, would, I am inclined to think, make very large concessions to the Turks ; and the Turks, who feel that they did not receive from England the support they expected—rightly or wrongly—during the recent war, may prefer to ally themselves with their old enemy rather than with a friend who stood aloof when even a slight assistance would have saved their country.—l am,&c., AG. Wellington, 24th April.