The Patea Mail. PUBLISHED WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 1876.

Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 145, 30 August 1876, Page 2

The Patea Mail. PUBLISHED WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 1876.

A startling telegram, elated the 25th instant, comes from Sydney, to the effect that the Governor of New South Wales (Sir Hercules Robinson) has received a despatch from the Homo Government, warning him “ that war between England and Russia was imminent.” Every newspaper reader has for some time known that the condition of Turkey, the Herzegovinian insurrection, •the late declaration of war on the part of Sorvia and Turkey, and the thinly veiled Russian designs against the latter power, were ready at any moment to set Europe in a blaze ; but the pacific assurances of the British Premier, and the withdrawal of the joint note of Russia, Austria, and Turkey on England’s protest, allayed the apprehensions that were felt, and it was hoped that the . danger was over. Even now, the telegram merely states that a “despatch” has been received, and this would lead us to infer that this loft England in due course of post, and was written during the critical time, when the British ironclads assembled in Bosika Bay. A little time will tell whether this bo the right interpretation, or whether the so-called despatch was a more recent warning telegram. That sooner or later England and Ru-sia will come to loggerheads, there can bo little doubt; but the cause will arise in Asia, and it seems difficult to suppose that moribund Turkey could in any way hasten the climax. It is certain that the revolted Turkish dependencies arc encouraged and assisted by Russia, and that a small power like Scrvia would never have ventured on its late bold action, had there not been a potent sustaining power at its back, and it is just on the cards, that Russia will avail herself of (he long-looked for opportunity to seize on the property and effects of the “ sick man,” and put an effectual end to his ailments and illness thereby. That England, or 'other powers, would tamely look on such spoliation, is hardly likely; but the fiendish atrocities of the Turkish troops would hardly justify interference in their support. As far as Herzegovina and other disaffected dependencies of Turkey go, there can bo no question that it has become a religious war, and that the unbearable tyranny of the Turks has driven the Christian population to arms. The unutterable cruelties that these demoniac followers of Mahomet have since committed—the murders, and worse, of women and children, the war of extermination that they have initiated—must bar for ever any sympathy or alliance with such wretches ; and here comes the difficulty. As a matter of policy, however, Russia’s ambition must be checked,

should she endeavour to carry out her long-cherished design or annexing Turkey to her territory, and it may he worth while speculating as to what such a war as is said to bo imminent would lead to. In an extract i'rom an able letter on the subject, published in the Melbourne “Argus,” and recently reprinted in our columns, the situation was well set out, and as the writer was evidently well posted in European politics, his predictions are well ivorth attention, and appear to he very near fulfilment. It is hardly likely, in case of the worst, that England would go single-handed into the contest, though with the disordered finances ot Russia, the internal discontent existing in her unwieldy empire, and other causes of weakness, there need be no fear of the result in such a case. If Germany moved at all, it would bo in support oi England; and the same may be said of Italy. Spain lias quite enough to do for many years to come in repairing financial and other damages, arising from a scries or years of civil war. France, despite the hatred of Germany and desire for revenge, would not care

to enter the lists against England. Austria’s best interests would bo in neutrality, ami, even if hostile, she would not materially influence the result. The smaller European States would go with England if they stirred at all. America, that is true America, would be actually heart and soul with England, though she would in all probability improve the occasion by selling munitions of war or more peaceful products, with equal impartiality to either belligerent. At the same time, there is a strong party in America, the Fenian element, that would do all in their power by overt or open acts to embroil the two kindred nations, and it is just possible that they might succeed in their object. In India, England would have to fight

• for her possessions, for lhat is the only vital point’ that Russia could, with any hope of success, attack. By sowing native disaffection, by money, arms, and troops, a mutiny, on a larger scale and better chances of success than the last, might bo brought about, but the same end, achieved possibly with greater difficulty, would nevertheless be attained. Should, unfortunately, America bo ranged in antagonism to England, her power to injure, beyond the fearful misery that interruption of trade between the two countries would engender, would be but small, whilst powers of retaliation, little dreamt of now, would be in the hands of Great Britain. The Southerners, the inhabitants of the Bcbel States as they were termed, have still hopes of enfranchisement from Northern rule, the insults and slights to which during past years, since the hour of their defeat, they have had to submit, have rankled, and the creation of two States of America would be easy by the aid of Britain. It is hardly likely, then, that infatuated enthusiasts would embroil two nations whose interests are so much in common, .and with whom war would be so mutually disastrous. As is nearly always the case, those least interested, and who have least to do in bringing Avar about, Avould be the greatest sufferers. The colonies would feel its effects most. The Dominion of the Canadas Avould, it is true, be quite able to protect itself from any poAver, but isolated dots, and the Australasian Group, would Avithout doubt be attacked, and their fate might not be such a fortunate one. Ncav South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Queensland, have all defences of some magnitude, Victoria especially ; but the chief ports of Now Zealand arc completely at the mercy of any petty craft with one gun of long range that can escape the vigilance of British cruisers. Auckland boasts of a few twelve or eighteen pounders ; Dunedin has a petty battery Avith equally formidable weapons ; Wellington is about similarly Avell provided, and Lyttelton has two small Armstrongs. An insignificant hostile sloop of Avar of modern type could raise tribute from, or burn all the chief toAvns of the Colony with perfect ease and the utmost safety, and could repeat the experiment time, as long as they could furnish a ransom from destruction. No doubt the fleets of England Avould Avait on all marauders of this kind, but to watch all might be beyond their poAver, and as Parliament is now in session all possible protective steps should be taken Avithout delay. The same alarm that Avas forwarded to the GoA T crnor of Ncav South Wales Avas undoubtedly communicated to vicegerents of other colonies, Avhcthcr in Avritten or telegraphic despatch, and it behoves them to take all measures of precaution. Should Avar break out Ncav Zealand Avill not bo found wanting, oxindisposed to take her share of the hard knocks going, and in no part of her Majesty’s dominions Avill be found loyal hearts avlio Avill moi-o heartily x-ejoico at England’s success, or more sincerely deplore any reverses that may be in store. At the same time it is to be hoped that the Avar cloud now overhanging Europe may burst harmlessly, and that the presage of ill, as contained in the telegram referred to, may, Avithout sacrifice of honor, yet be averted.