, 1876-11-08

SUBJECTS. And what have you to give me III
return ? You treat me as a protected State,
and IN what does your protection avail nc
You undertake TO guarantee the integrity Of
my Empire, not for my sake, but for your
own, because foresooth you think that what
ever my loss may be the Russians may one
day become masters of Constantinople, allow
John Bull no quiet ~sIumbers, and yet you are
now, or seem to be, on the best terms with that
dreaded Russia. Had l not better accept the
law directly from Russia herself, and give in to
all the terms she may impose, prOpitiata her by
unconditional submission, admit her and her for
ces into the Turkish Provinces and her men.o<-
war into Turkish waters !? My uncle Abdul Aziz
tried that policy, His Ministers bowed to Rus
sian ascendency. I~gnatietf ruled here uncon-
tro.led and although the Empire went to
rack and ruin the Sovereign and his Govern
ment had, at least, a tolerably quiet and a
rather enjoyable time Of it. That anything
to that effect may have been spoken at Satur-
days Interview is by no means certain, but q
glance at the situation may satisfy us that it is
extremely probable, for no one can deny that
Russia, ayailiog herself Of the friendly terms on
which the peace negotiations placed her with
England and the other Powers, has by an indi-
rect and most efficient Intervention bafaed
Turkey efforts for the subjugation Of her Pro-
vInces aud prolonged a struggle ruinous to the
Ottoman Empire in every respect. As | have
asked no interview either of the Sultan or Of the
Envoy, / can make no statement as to what
actually occurred, but those who have enioYed
greater privileges assure me that Sir Henry
Elliott was received by tho Padishah with every
token of regard and friendship. but that when
ever he attempted to bring up State matters
and to press upon Abdul Hamid his views
or those Of Her MajeSty's Government, he was
I.4oDn3 e. rr;th oGto-NSon III lF.--- -
invariably answered by a reference TO the Grand
Vizier and tho Ministers The impression the
Ambassador received Of the Sultan was. | am
told, that of a reticent and irressoIute man, strict
ly 90 his guard and unwilling to commit himself.
Whether or not it may be ascribed to Sir
Henry's influence on the Sultan, it seems now
that the Government of the Porte is so far dis
posed TO give 10 to the solicitations Of the
Powers as to consent TO q month 8 srmistios. u
resolution by no means surprising on their part
considering that the brave but shockinRly ILL
oticered Ottoman Army IS already by accounts
beginning to suffer rather severely from cold,
hunger, and disease, the consequence of the
improvidenoe With which the commissariat is
administered aud of the havoc and devas tation
wrought for many miles round the camp by
Circlssians, Bashi Bazouks, and other savage
auxiiaries. With respect to the prospect o fpeace,
though the Note in answer to the Powers has
not yet been delivered, it is well known that the
Porte refuses to listen to their proposals, and is
la bouring with great alacrity at that Constitu-
ton which is equally to give satisfaction to the
Sultan's subjects and to all who take an interest
III their well-being. The rumours about the
imminent retirement Of the Grand Vizier,
Mehemet Rushdi, and Of the probable elevation
Of Midhat Pasha to the head of the Government,
are again current, and seem to acquire cousis
tenoy.
VIENNA, Oct. I6.
The question about the Armistlce remains IN
ssatu quo. Russia has still not declared openly
against the Armistice as offered by Turkey but
based on her declaration that she does not think
so long a term necessary, and that she does not
believe that Sorvia and Montenegro will accept
it, she hesitates to use her influence, as she was
asked to do, to induce the Servians to accept
the Armistice as offered by Turkey. Thus the
question remains pending. The English and
Frcnch Governments, above all the former,
which takes the lead in the matter, have decided
ly pronounced for an acceptance. This Govern
ment is inclined TO do SO. and has asked for the
opinion of the Cabinet o fBerIiu, which has, how
ever, not been given IS yet. AS for the Italian
Cabinet, pressed by England to give . definite re-
ply, it does not wish to anticipate in anv way the
decision of the Servian Government, az it consi-
ders the ArmiStico advantageous for Servia.
In Servia they are evidently waiting for the
u-oS J1o~J.A FroDo Tivadia wh;ob bn, "a