Tax recent telegrams from Europe are amongst the most perplexing that we have ever received. The plot is becom. ing intricate beyond description, and the interests of the contending parties are apparently entangled in- a knot hard to untie, Of course the readers of the telegrams interpret them accord. ing to their peculiar bias. Last week, the Liberals conceived that the English Cabinet has never been at unity in itself, but that Lord Beacons. read. field lias been throughout in favour of a more daring and belligerent policy than his Foreign Secretary, Lord Derby; and they affirmed that the Premier has acted with so much rashness, and has committed the country so far to a warlike policy, that Lord Derby has grown tired of vain attempts at keeping the peace; and, resolved to have no hand in the commencement of a terrible war, sent in his resignation. This, likes many Liberal theories, was perfectly consistent in itself, and only wanted the one basis of fact; for, lo! suddenly, just when the Minister supposed to be most indued for war was master of the situation, peace is de-dered to be imminent. The telegram of Monday upsets all theories built on the telegram of Saturday. On the other hand the Tories, or those of them whose views are represented by the Pall Mall Gazette, hold that after all what is done in Europe is of secondary importance, for that it behoves us to exercise the greatest vigilance as to Russian movements in Asi These doctrines are ridiculed by Lord Derby, and the danger to India which Tories fear is treated with cold contempt.
We fear that, in spite of assurances received some days ago, we must con dade that there isa split and a very serious one in the Cabinet. For sometime, whenever Lord Beaconsfield has spoken with vigour and determination, Lord Dexdy, with an affectation of cold indifference, has endeavoured to explain away his chief's language, and to bring the matter down to a commonplace level, by some homely illustration or covert sneer at excited feelings. We confess, though for a certain order of minds there is always an irresistible fascination in the cynical depreciation of zeal, we have an uncomfortable impression that, if ever a crisis demanded strong words and firm action, it is the present crisis. Too much zeal may be occasionally objectionable, but the attitude which persists in looking away from the peril in front of us is surely a dangerous attitude fora statesman. The spirit we are most disposed to dread is the int which is very rife, and which we will name, for want of a better phrase, political Calvinism. The two ideas which make up the Calvinism of the theologian are favouritism and fatality Now, it will be seen on examination that these two ideas are prominent in nearly all the writings of the Russophils. We hear it alleged that it is no use attempting to check the armies of Alexander, or the People of Alexander—that they want more seaboard, and that it is idle to imagine we can prevent them from gotting it. They are a power too vast to be restrained within their present narrow limite, but burat out they assuredly will. Now, we confess that, though clothed in impressive language, we rebel to believe this doctrine. If we once admitted it, we should have to unlearn all the history we have over Aggressive invasions have over and over again been resisted by small numbers, Overbearing conquerors have on many memorable occasions been sent " bootless home and weather-beaten back." There is no necessity for Russia to have more seaboard yet. She has quite enough to do in educat. ing and civilizing her peasantry. Instead of dreams of Slavic empire, she bad much better devote herself to the task of civilizing her millions. The lust for additional territory is no proof that she should be given any. On the contrary, if she is unable to restrain her greed of empire, she is not suficiently civilized to be allowed facilities for fresh encroachments, The later telegrams are perplexing, and we can form no clear idea as to the terms of the pence, but we are convinced that, if those terms humiliate and despoil Tarkey, the Powers who consent to them will bitterly repent it. may be most fitting to fill the columns of a newspaper published in China with articles relating to Chinese sub. jects, but the absorbing interest of the events now being transacted in Hastern Europe is a sufficient excuse for turn. ing our attention in that direction, Over and over again in the history of the world, men's eyes have been fixed upon Stamboul, and never perhaps with more strained and eager attention than at present. The second scene of the drama to which we referred lately, is occupying the audience; and the action is transacted in a Council Chamber, not on a battlefield. And in the great debate we shall hear undoubtedly the voice of England. What will she say Will she appear as pro Russian, as Mr. Gladstone and his following of ritualist clergy desire, or will she appear consistent with herself Tt seems that what has been proposed has proved distasteful to Lord Derby and Lord Carnarvon. This is not to be wondered at. For many years Lord Derby has been uncertain whether to give his influential name to the Tory or Whig ranks, His considerate and somewhat chilly temperament has always shrunk from downright avowals of conviction, and he was never at home when strong measures were in contemplation. His example has lately been followed by Lord Carnarvon, and now it is clear that Lords Beaconsfield and Salisbury and Sir Stafford Northcote will have to bear the brant of responsibility. They will probably be equal to the occasion, and we may expect that an unexpected pressure has been brought to bear on, Russia, and that she has been spoken to in language that has been perfectly diplomatic and courteous, but absolutely firm, Though the phrase "British interests" has become a jest to those who ridicule the present Government, we: expect that Lord Beaconsfield's definition of the expression has been extremely clear and precise.
And this will be a gain. At all events something definite will be done, Anything is better than to see Europe kept in 8 perpetual state of alarm by threats of ruthless violence, and to be paralyzed by the benumbing doctrine that all individual resistance will be vain, for that soon or late the eagle must descend upon the quarry, and the Northern hosts overwhelm the fair provinces of Southern Europe. It is far wiser to make every effort that military science and diplomacy can suggest to keep this formidable Power within her boundaries, until her peopleareeducated enough to know that their interests do
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.