CIVILIZATION AND THE WAR.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Issue 16, 19 January 1878, Page 3

CIVILIZATION AND THE WAR.

In the tremendous conflict in Turkey, full and hearty sympathy is possible f r neither side. Viewed simply as a war between Russia and Turkey, it is, indeed, undeniable that the cause of civilization is in the Russian camp, not because the civilization or the Christianity of Russia is admirable, but that Russia is more civilized than Turkey. It was a blunder of the English Government, which event* will certainly make even more evident, not to insist that the question should be settled by combined Europe, and should not be left to the violent adjustment of Russia alone. Whatever tends to produce this result of a combined settlement is to be welcomed. If it be a misfortune for Europe and tho world that the provinces of the Danube are subject to Turkey, it would have been also a serious misfortune that Russia should promonade across the Balkans to Constantinople. The Turks now stand so firmly and fight so bravely, indeed, that it is not unfair to suppose that their delay and apparent bewilderment were shrewd tactics, and that they were making ready for the bloody Bulgarian welcome which they have since offered their euemv.

The purpose of Russia is plain. It is extension of territory and a nearer approach to the Mediterranean. DAD.Ubian Christianity, as wo long pointed out, is not of a lofty charaeter, and while the relief of suffering fellow-religionists is an appeal with which the government could rouse the enthusiasm of the Russian people, the Russian government is doubtless more intent upon the extension of Russia than the Hiiccor of Bulgaria. The only plausible excuse for the action of the English Government in allowing Russia to go to war is that it was sure that she would be so prostrated that hev prestige would be ruined, anil that united Europe could finally interpose and push Turkey back into Asia, and confine Russia, shorn of terrors, within limits that would neither menace nor trouble Europe. It is unquestionable that, apart from the English view so strongly BXprimd by a private correspondent, which we published a few weeks since, there is another antiRussian sentiment,, which holds that Russia, with her back against the north polo, hangs like an uvalaneho over Europe ; that she, whom uootie threatens,

is .i constant threat to every one, that being u military power, with immense unfertile territory ami a spare population, and always reaching out toward the South, she is the sole reason that Europe CM QOt disarm. Moreover, she rules all the atatoa that she annexes' in ha* own interest, not in theirs ; anil to-day, after a hundred years of occupation, Poland is as bitter against Hus ia as at tirst, and no wonder, since six Polish gentlemen can not meet at their own homes without permission of the police. This shows plainly enough how far Russia is from liberty. But the ground of sympathy with her in this struggle, i:.s we have said, is that she is nearer to liberty than Turkey. Such considerations as we have mentioned, however, may reconcile us to the obstinacy of the contest. The general popular impression of the awful power of this vast, mysterious Northern empire has been rudely shaken in the Shipka Pass and at Plevna. A prolongation of such conflicts must exhaust both sides, and the Christian powers, regarding both combatants as common foes of European peace, may choose to ex]>el the one and to confine the other. We may yet see the kingdom of Greece, which Europe created a half century since, expanded by Europe into a groat Greek empire upon the Danube.—" Harper's Weekly."