XXVII.

CHAP. was issued. The labour of putting into writing the grounds for a momentous course of action is a wholesome discipline for statesmen; and it would be well for mankind if, at a time when the question were really in suspense, the friends of a policy leading towards war were obliged to come out of the mist of oral intercourse and private notes, and to put their view into a firm piece of writing. It does not follow that such a document ought necessarily to be disclosed, but it ought to exist, and it ought to be official. In the summer of 1853 the draft of a document, fairly stating the grounds of that singular policy of alliance within alliance which was shadowed out in the Royal Speech at the close of the session, would have been a good exercise for the members of Lord Aberdeen's Cabinet, and would have protected them against that sensation of drifting,' which was afterwards described by the Foreign Secretary. It is known that when the English declaration announcing the rupture with Russia was about to be prepared, it was found less easy than might be supposed Difficulty to assign reasons for the war. The necessity of it. having to state the cause of the rupture in a

of framing

solemn and precise form, disclosed the vice of the policy which the Government was following; for it could not be concealed that the grievance which was inducing France and England to take up arms was one of a European kind, which called for redress at the hands of the four Powers rather than for the armed championship of the two.

Of course the difficulty was overcome.

When the

XXVII.

faith of the country was pledged, and fleets and CHAP. armies already moving to the scene of the conflict, it was not possible that war would be stayed for want of mere words. The Queen was advised to declare, that, by the regard due to an ally, and to an empire whose integrity and independence were essential to the peace of Europe, by the sympathies of her people for the cause of right against injustice, and from a desire to save Europe from the preponderance of a Power which had violated the faith of treaties, she felt called upon to take up arms, in concert with the Emperor of the French, for the defence of the Sultan.

declara

War mani

On the 11th of April the Emperor of Russia issued The Czar's his declaration of war. He declared that the sum- tion and mons addressed to him by France and England took festo. from Russia all possibility of yielding with honour; and he threw the responsibility of the war upon the Western Powers. It was for Central and Western Europe that diplomacy shaped these phrases; but in the manifesto addressed to his own people the Czar used loftier words. Russia,' said he, ‘fights 'not for the things of this world, but for the Faith.'* 'England and France have ranged themselves by the side of the enemies of Christianity against Russia 'fighting for the Orthodox faith. But Russia will 'not alter her divine mission; and if enemies fall upon her frontier, we are ready to meet them with the firmness which our ancestors have bequeathed ' to us. Are we not now the same Russian nation of

VOL. I.

* 23d April.

2 H

CHAP.
XXVII.

The Czar's

whose deeds of valour the memorable events of 1812 'bear witness? May the Almighty assist us to prove this by deeds! And in this trust taking up arms 'for our persecuted brethren professing the Christian faith, we will exclaim with the whole of Russia with one heart, "O Lord our Saviour, whom have we ""to fear?" May God arise and His enemies be "dispersed !"'*

6

6.66

66

On the fourth day after the delivery of the mesof Turkey sage which placed Russia in a state of war with

invasion

is commenced.

Treaty

between

and the

Western
Powers.

France and England, Prince Gortschakoff passed the Lower Danube at three points, and, entering into the desolate region of the Dobrudja, began the invasion of Turkey.+

Nearly at the same time France and England the Sultan entered into a treaty with the Sultan, by which they engaged to defend Turkey with their arms until the conclusion of a peace guaranteeing the independence of the Ottoman Empire and the rights of the Sultan, and upon the close of the war to withdraw all their forces from the Ottoman territory. The Sultan, on his part, undertook to make no separate peace or armistice with Russia. ‡

Treaty between

On the 10th of April 1854 there was signed France that treaty of alliance between France and England land. which many men had suffered themselves to look

and Eng

21st February.

24th March. By thus passing that part of the river which encloses the Dobrudja, a general does not effect much. He must cross it at and above Rassova before he can be said, in the military sense, to have 'broken through the line of the Danube.'

10th of March.

XXVII.

upon as a security for the peace of Europe. The CHAP. high contracting parties engaged to do what lay in their power for the re-establishment of a peace which should secure Europe against the return of the existing troubles; and in order to set free the Sultan's dominions, they promised to use all the land and sea forces required for the purpose. They engaged to receive no overture tending to the cessation of hostilities, and to enter into no engagement with the Russian Court, without having deliberated in common. They renounced all aim at separate advantages, and they declared their readiness to receive into their alliance any of the other Powers of Europe.

This great alliance did not carry with it so resistless a weight as to be able to execute justice by its own sheer force, and without the shedding of blood; but it was a mighty engine of war.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

XXVIII.

Recapitu

causes of disturb

ance.

personal

CHAP. THE train of causes which brought on the war has now been followed down to the end. Great armies lation. kept on foot, and empires governed by princes without the counsel of statesmen, were spoken of in the Standing outset as standing elements of danger to the cause of peace; and their bearing upon the disputes of nations has been seen in all the phases of a strife which began in a quarrel for a key and a trinket, and ended Effect of by embroiling Europe. Upon the destinies of Russia the effect of this system of mere personal government has been seen at every step. From head to foot a vast empire was made to throb with the passions which rent the bosom of the one man Nicholas. If for a few months he harboured ambition, the resources of the State were squandered in making ready for war. If his spirit flagged, the ambition of the State fell lame, and preparations ceased. If he laboured under a fit of piety, or rather of ecclesiastic zeal, All the Russias were on the verge of a crusade. He chafed with rage at the thought of

government by the Czar.