Democratic Sentinel, Volume 2, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 April 1878 — THE LION AND THE BEAR. [ARTICLE]

THE LION AND THE BEAR.

Russian Diplomacy and English Stupidity. The European tendency for some time, says the Cincinnati Enquirer, has been toward ignoring England in the final settlement of the controversy between Russia and Turkey. There has been the Russian denial that any aggressions upon English interests were contemplated by the Czar, but the recollection of the value of the word of the Russian on several other occasions has not aided to command confidence in these professions. The attitude of Germany, the peculiar obligations of the triple alliance, the objections of Austria to the advertised settlement, have been among the elements of the situation creating uncertainty. It is Germany that is really monarch of the situation. Russia, having conquered in the field, promptly began to attempt conquests in diplomacy. The Czar made an ally of the Sultan, whom he had conquered. He appealed to the European Prince for moral support, for aid, for arbitration, for any service in harmony with that triple understanding and in hostility to England. The great German doubtless said that he owed equal friendship to Austria under that understanding. Russia’s next move was to pacify Austria, and it is now reported that Russia’s ultimatum to Austria has been officially sent by Ignatieff, the diplomatist, and it is the Russian hope that Austria can be conciliated. It is significant that no attempt has been made by Russia, or by anybody else, to please England or to strengthen friendly relations with that power. The haughty Briton appears without an ally. The diplomacy, the intrigues, the secret understandings, the little arrangements between the powers of Europe have all been concocted and conducted without the knowledge or consent of England, and, apparently, in absolute hostility to her interests. Russia wants no congress of powers to dictate her terms of psace with Turkey. She will find some pretext, some method for preventing or delaying one till the necessary “ understandings ” can be had with all of Europe, save England. Meanwhile England, without or with a congress of powers, and without an ally, must yield to Russia and to the “arrangement,” or fight. Pride and interest of both nations appear to preface battle. If Russia's “arrangements” are completed she will not only be willing but anxious to enter the combat. She will not only court but provoke the war. The designs of Russia, and the cunning diplomacy she has shown, are not more than half understood, apparently, in England. The Standard, one of 'the most intelligent of the English journals, stoutly and constantly protests that the triple alliance is nothing more than a “diplomatic fiction,” ignoring thfe fact that it is a “fiction” which constitutes England’s chief danger in this hour. The Russian purpose to isolate England has not, seemingly, been comprehended. When battle ceased, Russia saw Turkey helpless, and entered upon a policy of deceit and delay, called diplomacy. She marched her armies closer and closer to the Turkish capital, enlarging her borders and strengthening her stakes. This, after the war with the Turk was ended, was preparing for the next war. She delayed the congress. The time, or the place, or the manner didn’t suit. She concealed and still conceals some of the terms of the peace, letting them into the [ light so far as- to test the sense of Europe. She became assured of the absolute neutrality of Germany. She then sought the consent of Austria to the peace she desires, and will, if possible, coax or beg Austria into an alliance. She would be glad to obtain command of Constantinople and the straits, to make the Ottoman empire hereafter a dependency of St. Petersburg, to make a Muscovite lake of the Euxine sea, and to prepare, in the words of an intelligent Englishman, “ by the acquisition of Armenia, and the downfall of British influence, for the next and final campaign,which will give her Constantinople and the Asiatic supremacy.”