The Mystery of the Danube; Showing How Through Secret Diplomacy That River Has Been Closed, Exportation from Turkey Arrested, and the Re-Opening of the Isthmus of Suez Prevented (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1851. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... Part II. Russian Quarantine on the Delta of the Danube. This Quarantine was not for vessels bound to Russian but to Turkish ports, Galatz and Ibrail, where a quarantine was already established. It was a lawless aggression on the commerce of the world, and a robbery from Europe of its most important river. Such an outrage Spain under Phillip II., or France under Louis XIV., never dared. It was perpetrated with no disguise, and followed by no retribution. Peace reigned in Europe; England and France were then cordially united; Austria on the best terms with both. All were jealous of Russian encroachment DEGREES regarding which the press of Europe was ringing. The British navy had just been augmented, amidst the acclamations of Parliament and the nation, as a reply to the haughty pretensions put forth by the Emperor at Warsaw.* To that menace the Ukase for the Quarantine was Russia's answer. The marshy islands forming the Delta of the Danube are uninhabited, and in themselves utterly valueless. They were desirable only as a station commanding the river in war, and useful for that purpose only in so far as they were fortified. The 18 Mediation of Russia imposed * It was insinuated, indeed, at the time, in Parliament, that the augmentation was against France, but an explanation was offered to the French government, and with the recommendation, so at least I have been informed by M. Thiers, to augment its navy--with what purpose the following passage may suggest. On the 1st of March, 1848, Lord Palmerston said: -- "Of course, also, though I do not recollect the circumstance as having happened in 1835, or 1836, the immense amount of the naval preparation To France, must always form an element in taking into account the means which England must possess, &c." treaty by which the...