An Opinion on Russia.

Thames Star, Volume XVI, Issue 5064, 8 April 1885, Page 3

An Opinion on Russia.

Mr James Snos, 0.E., who was for sometime resident in Knqgfc, writes: — " The probability of war with Jiussia being averted, will doubtless' be hailed with satisfaction by all. That it will be for long I bate not the slightest hope. The present lull means oitber that in the diplomatic arrangement of affairs our »tate«>ineu hold the best moves, or thst Kussia is not quite prepared for the conflict tvbich moat assuredly is near at hand. Permit me as one having been ciiga'ged on tho cooMtruolion of ono of tho Bussian nnlitury frontier lines in the Traus-Caucasus, jiud withfa fair knowledge ot the country nnd ita people, to state my reasons. Jtussia is essentially a military nation, engaging in commerce and manufactures as adjuncts to her military aggrandisements, and holds very firm -and extensive views as to licri ovnnselising mission, in the East especially. It is tins religious element which is the key to the quef-tion, end will | give bitterness to the fight. England has been and still remains the Power that prevents Bussia from carrying out the policy as laid down by Peter the Great. Hence her enmity towards us, which may be disguised at St. Petersburg, but it is unmis* takeably manifested by the 'pijople of the interior, who, down to the Jitfle childien even, fail not to show their abhorrence of Englishmen, who are looked upon as the natural enemies of Eussia. Consider the position of affairs in Eussia itself; Her Government is terrorised ' ,-over'" by 'NihilistsV and is face to- face with '/& far more formidable body in "young Eussia," who are carrying on a hardy conflict with. the despotic '■ power of the nobility, and are determined to exercise a voice iii the. affairs of their country;' JFor its own', safety a diversion is necessary, and what so effectual as.-. a. popular and religions war, by. which internal differences would be sunk, doubtless only for the time being, 'arid :forces united against a well hated eoemy. Although Russia is now making a display of forces on the Afghan frontier, and there employing her well-known intriguing abilities, Asia-Minor" will be^ the theatre .of our great . war, and Constantinople the ; bone, of. contention. !I! would '.urge "active preparations. .lln'Bsift is undispu_tably v an ene'r(getic ; and mighty ■, nation;, and now in ■a. vastly superior condition, with strength and means prepared for war, Ihan in 1856,, Her soldiers are well armed and disciplined.giving little trouble to the commissiariat department. She is possessed of complete batteries of Whitworth's field guiia to, an extent that wpuldi cause' astonishment if generallyknown.. Sebastopol is impregnable, and Batpum, a large land-locked deep water harbour; within a day's steam. of Constantinople, is< now a strong military and naval station, connected with St Petersburg and other head centres by a well protected, system of _■_-•! :_'■_ i_r jj'.;.'■■:■;;■.'■.'.- ' •'. :. ■■'■