THE EVENING MAIL. THURSDAY, MAY 10, 1877.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 326, 10 May 1877, Page 2

THE EVENING MAIL.

THURSDAY, MAY 10, 1877.

" Words are tbinjfs, and a dro;> of ink falling upon a thought may ])roduee that which makes thousands tlimk."

The cablegram which we published yesterday, though but brief, contained more than an ordinary amount of interest. To us at a distance it seems that the first step has «been taken by Englmd towards becoming something more than a passive onlooker upon the war now being waged between Russia and Turkey. Of course, it would be difficult to judge from the brief cablegram before us to what extent Lord Derby's reply to the arguments in Go#tschakoff's circular goes. But sufficient is said to show that the British Government has dropped the conciliatory policy with regard to Russia which it has pursued for some time past, and has assumed a more definite and bolder line of action. England declares she cannot concur in, or approve of, the decision of Russia," says the Earl of Derby, according to the cablegram. It could not, for one moment, have been expected that England would have approved of the decision of Russia to enter upon a war with Turkey, in order to force the latter to accept the mandate of Russia in regard to the future conduct of the Ottoman affairs ; and the only question which arises, is : Does the British Government feel so strongly upon the matter as to warrant it assuming a bolder position in reference to the violation by the Czar of the Treaties of 1836 and ISGI, than that of professing its mere disapproval of the decision of Russia • We think that such will be found to be the case, and that ere long we shall hear of England having once more taken up arms in defence of the Ottoman Empire. When the news received a few days Lack, to the effect that Russia had threatened reprisals if the Khedive of Egypt aided the Turks, is taken into consideration, the prospect of England very soon becon i:ig an active pastieipator in the war is still 1. ss remote. The threatened reprisal.*, as a conttmporary points out, can only be made 1 y an attack upon Port Said < r Alexandria. Any at'ac'c upon these towns would doubtless be deemed a sufficient reason for England at once ass uning a i attitude of iLfeiic •. To the Col n e the prospect of the jl >t!ier Country lccomin -' involved in war is a matter of greater moment than it may at first appear. Were such the case, a raid might be made at any time upon the colonies by the enemy's ships of war. Wo do not say that such a thing would take place, and have no desire to raise unnecessary alarm amongst our readers. Still, there would always bo a probability of such a contingency arising, and, however remote that probability might be. it would not be of a pleasant nature. The course or events will, therefore, [be watched with very great interest even at this distance from the scene of the struggle with great interest.