The New York herald., 1867-01-30
NEW YORK HERALD. WEDNESDAY. JANUARY 80 1857.

Important from che East-R ussia and Turkey
Preparing for wnrJThs warsings Of a Gem
eral CONFLICT.
Our adyioes from Constantiuoplc, forwarded
by way Of London and through the Atlantic
cable, under date of yesterday, convey the very
important intelligence that 1t was regarded as
certain in tho Turkish capital that the serious
complications existing In the East, and classed
generally as the Eastern question, would lead
to war, and that Turkey and Russia had COM
menced active preparations for the struggle.
the Porto government BY calling out a new
army Of one hundred and fifty thousand re-
serves, and the Csar by The publication Of an
order which directs all military fnrloughs in
the empire to terminate on the lst of March.
Simultaneously with this news, and as II
eorroborative Of II, We have the informa-
ton that the reported termination of the
Cretan war was premature. The fighting
had been renewed, and the war Is said to be
spreading to the neighboring islands. There
had probably been temporary cessation Of
hostilities for the purpose Of treating pro
posal Tor peace, which led TO the announcement
of tho close Of ina war, a. we are told
to day that the terms offered by the Sublime
Porte to. the insurgent Christians had been
scornfnliy rejected. From Athens it is said
that Greece proposes to raise the effective
force Of her army to thirty-one thousand in
consequence Of tho military preparations and
threatening attitude of the Porte.
These reports and assurances, coupled with
our knowledge Of the state of affairs existing
in Gambia, lead to the almost inevitable con-
clusion that the day is fast approaching when
the final issue will be taken, and by bloody
arbi.ramcnt, between the Crescent and the
Cross. If Russia and Turkey were to decide
the question alone the result would be Of easy
prophecy for, just as the moment suited, in
stead Of standing forth as on administrator to
the effects of the "sick man." the irritated and
powerful Mus,ovite would seize the expiring
patient by the throat and strangle him, proclaim
ing the deed as an act accomplished in mercy
to himself and in the interests Of humanity and
civilization. This mode Of summary treat
ment will not be permitted, however, and the
very sudden manner in which the friends who
have watched around his bed for many years
may be called on to propose and administer
another remedy is the fact which rem
ders the news of this morning Of startling
import and alarming interest to them. They
have been preparing for such crisis,
but perhaps did not expect il to come so
soon. Slightly shaded by the arrangements
which are being made for the Paris Exhibition,
we discern the fact that the French army is to
be completely reorganized and raised to
millien and a quarter Of men. Austria is arm
ing her troops with American Arsechl loeders.
King Victor Emanuel insists on The perfection
OF the organization Of the Italian army, - it,
services may be required beyond the italian
frontier. Turkey orders new levies and calls
out her reserves. Spain Is increasing her
army, Germany b armed, and Greece, Switzer-
land, d nmark and the minor Powers
are preparing for new levies. The rumor
Of Great Powers conference Of adjust
ment and settlement appears almost dis
sipated by such preparations England has
announced her neutrality, and it is easy 10 fore
see that the Eastern question must be settled,
even If the Paris Exhibition should be inter
fered with. England neutral, Napoleon will
not be likely to ally himself with any other
Power for the temporal salvation of the Turk,
so that we may be called on to record the divi-
sion of the spoils before the termination Of the
summer.
Will Russia flnd her share in future rule
over the populations from Gambia to Thessaly,
and from Thessaly to the borders Of Austria
Win France be compensated in Egypt: Lastly,
will King Victor Emanuel render the title Of
"King Of Cyprus and jerusalem" which he
bears, reality for his dynastys
Tho Civil Service BiIi-A Proposed Refsrm.
Mr.. Jenckes, Of Rhode Island, yesterday
reported to the House q bill to regulate the
civil service Of the United States and to pro-
mote the efficiency thereof The bill emanatcs
from the Committee on Retrenchment, and, in
his remarks in explanation Of its provisions
and object, Mr.. Jenckes stated that the origi-
nal draft upon which 1t is based was prepared
during President Lincoln's term of Office, and it
cannot, therefore, be supposed to have any rela-
ton 10 or bearing upon the existing dissen-
sions between the different departments Of the
government The measure proposes a very
radical reform In the civil service. II contcm-
plates the appointment Of Board of Commits
sioncrs, whose duty It shall be to prescribe the
qualifications necessary for an appointment to
any subordinate position in any branch Of the
civil service, and TO provide for the examination
of all applicants for such appointment By this
means il is sought to make capacity, integrity
and good moral character take the place Of
political influence and partisan favor, in secur-
ing positions in the government Offices. The
reform would certainly be desirable one for
the country IL II could be carried ont; but It
w0uld he about aa eaay To turn Congress into