Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIV, Issue 4902, 2 August 1877, Page 2

A few days ago we published a cablegram which was worded as follows :—" The Rus" eian Press alleges that, if tho British squadron enters the Hellespont, Russia will encounter it as an alien squadron." We observe that in the Sydney Morning Herald the same telegram was printed as follows : —

" There are vague rumours abuut au alliance between Russia and Italy. The Russian Press alleges that if a British squadron enters tho Hellespont, it will encounter ru Italiau squadron." Evidently Russia is miking strenuous efforts to secure Italy. If Austria comes into the field as an opponent of Russia, then the latter Power would get Italy's active assistance, the bribe boing some of the pro vinces of Austria bordering on Italy. Austria would be on the Uank of the Czar, but then Italy would be on the tlank of the Kaiser. Italy would be a valuable ally in another way. Her ironclad :3eet is very powerful, and would tend to neutralise the preponderance of England. Then, if Germany came in to help Austria, Franco would be brought iu to take the opportunity of having revenge, and so, every Power in Europe, having fighting capacitv, would be involved in the fray. Probably, however, Germany and France will keep quiet, and even Austria has powerful dissuasives in her own Slavonic subjects, who profess keen sympathy with the oppressed Christians of Turkey and their Russian deliverers.