The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-06-29 00:00:00

Che (fitettrinittge 09toerler.

SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 187‘,

THE WORK OF THE CONGRESS.

Without the slightest exaggeration it may be
safely asserted that the eyes of the whole
siellined world are turned upon the work nf the
plenipotentiaries who have been endeavouring
114Ittia the Eastern Questern at Berlin. The
western hemisphere joins with the east in watch-
ing its proceedings and in wishing it success.
War is the most absorbing theme which can
possibly occupy the attention of mankind; and
the incidents of the great struggle between
France and Germany eight years ago were as
eagerly followed in American as in Europe.
So, also, when the United Stites were threat-
ened to b 3 rant in twain by the long and
sanguinary civil war which lasted from 1861 until
186*, there could be no doubt of the interest
with whit& people hive read of the fluctuating
fortunes of the combatants, and of the marches
and counter-marches of the armies of Grant and
Lee. In a time of war between civilized peoples
those who are at a distance ittnll WIC scene of
conflicts, even though they may not be affected
by the result, cannot help taking an interest in
it, and wishing success to one or the other of
the contending States.

The Cpngresi at 13.:rliu, after inanv months
of negotiation. met to discuss the Le-sults of a
'
war which had inflicted wore misery and suf•.
fering than any which hid desolated Europe er
A4i.* for- cen•urtesr. it W.ll. on the 21,,h, of
DeCinUbtr thitt the surrender of Pleviia sh,wed
. the resisting power of Turkey to be practicaly.
at an end ; but such were the delays and the
" difficulties which seemed to stand in the way of
a meeting of plenipotentaries, that it was not
-until,the 13th of June that the various Powers
. Met in Congress. Into that half-year had been
now led a series of the most imuortant public
t *vents which th* people of this cotintry had ever
, canvassed in time of peace. ‘Vitoi ) few days
of ilvt 'snrren.lor of Pvwi. i w (drici-11•Y an-
nounced that th. B.i..ish Iwo!, would
assemble on the 17,1 J 4unery, an earlier da!o
thin 'antwhich had been fix,,cl for the convo-:
, cation of the Legistaturo in modern times. Even
• in 1856. When we were actuatly engaged in.war,
Parliament did not meet until the. 23rd Janu-
ary ; mind taie.wildit rumours were afloat con-
cerning he reawm of the gru Oun.a of the
4licLt ow -simiinonial so soon after
o,!riattott. 0-t1 dtwkyards and arsenals re.

soandad wittt war preparatious; auti, aoon after
hilkesss oak I robe of radii for viz million

sterling received the assent of the House of
Commons by an overwhelming majority. Next
the reserves were called out, and a contingent of
Indian troops was summoned to Malta, so as to
be ready for any emergency. These stirring
incidents were vsried with the resignatiolas of
two Cabinet Ministers, so that, upon- the
,ivhole
between the virtual termination of the
war bstween Russia and Turkey has proved an
eventful interval, which is likely to be, renieni-
Urea long in the history of this country. For-
tunately the efforts of diplomacy to smooth a
path by which the still existing differences might
be cleared away by discussion and concession,
improved with the lengthening days. The
month of June, brighter and more cheerful in
the material world, is leaving the nations of
Europe far more hopeful of continued peace
than they were amid the darkness and the gloism
which settled down upon the land at the end of
December.
It is curious to note the alterations of trust
and of depression which at times follow the re-
cords of the proceedings at the Berlin Congress.
At such a crisis it is, of course, impossible that
doubts should not sometimes arise as to the suc-
cess of the august gathering being enabled to
deal with the conflicting interests which come
before it in a way satisfactory to the whole of
them. First, there aro the belligerents them-
selves, who have made terrible sacrifices of
human life and spent enormous sums of money
in the war. Then there are the interests of
Great Britain, of Austria, of Germany, of Rou-
mania, of Greece, and of Servia. With all these
to be discussed, thoroughly considered and de-
cided so that there shall ben° cause Of dissatis-
faction or complaint, is a task as difficult as it is
momentous; and so intently do the people watch
the progress of the Congress that oven the
slightest hitch in the negotiations is .liable to
give rise to the gravest apprehension. Hence
the uneasiness which was felt at its becoming
clear that the Congress was not likely to arrive
at any immedia;e conclusion of its labours. At
the same time this feeling is capable of being
exaggerated. Beyond the wish being father to
the thought there never could have been any
substantial foundation for the belief that the
whole Eastern Question could be disposed of by
acclamation at a single sitting. In discussing
matters of such intricacy, and effecting so many
nationalities, differences of opinion must arise.
but there is no reason why these should eventu-
ate in war. The Powers represented at the
Congress entered it with the strong and well-
founded conviction that any dificulties which
might be started, would be settled without a is -
sort to arms It may be taken for granted tha;
the nations will prefer such a peace as the Con-
gress can provide, to the dubious gains of a
possible war. Doubtless there will be many
rumours of impending conflicts before the sit-
tings are brought to a close. But of the preser-
vation'of peace there is happily not much queitiou
It will be based upon a compromise probably
enough, and a compromise is not always a las -
ing,settlement. But it would be a sad reflectioL
upon the collective wisdom ;of Europe if after
meeting together at the Council Table it con-
fessed itself unable to come to tur understand-
ing which should prevent the scourge of war
from again sweeping over the Continent before
the misery has yet abated which was caused b)
its cruel and:retnorseless predecessor.