, 1876-12-03
nIVTDING PLUMBER.

The Paris correspondent Of the London
Times is one Of the best-informed writers IN
Europe, and enjoys such special advantages
for obtaining news that his letters may a.
most be looked upon as sem1~ott1clal. In
letter dated Nov. l3, commenting upon the
Czar's reply to Lord BEAcossf1E1D, he makes
a statement which, considering the position
Of the writer and his intimate relations with
French officials, is extremely suggestive
a1thonph the statement is ut best vague
hint. He says:
do not believe that either England OF hassla
has fixed ideas about this; and In any case con-
ference does not signify anything If 1t does not
s{rnify that the mcdiatory Powers may influence
the too absolute resolutions Of the Powers more OF
less directly concerned. Then on this point also
It may be hoped that, in spite OF the strenstn W
their language, neither England nor Russia WISH "
draw the sword for question submitted 10 the oc
ciylon OF Europe. It would, then, be necessary
in order that conflict should spring from the Con-
ference, that the Powers apparently dis1nteresteo
were, on the contrary, the most resolute 10 em"
hroi] the question and impede instead OF lapor LOT
cancellation II the whole truth must be told, this
Ia reallv the inuost conviction OF anxious obser"
ers This thought every one Is possessed Win 9et
no one dares to utter it, as il to speak OF tn1eaI
were provoking danger. Every one says that
Austria is being both solicited by Russia nnd urged
by Germany to joint action with Rassla. Every
body believes that, were Russia to occupy bulgaria.
md Austria Herzegovina and bosn'a,. 1ne eomp!.
cations would be SO great that those holding aoo1
from the struggle might seize without obstacle on
the small countries they coyet indispensable to
their dcdnitiye greatness and complete prosperity
Upon this side of the water, to speak OF
| threat with reference to the Russo~Iurk1sh
complication does not imply danger, and
perhaps We can explain clearly what ne
speaks of in enigmas and dark surmls'ngs
The programme is undoubtedly somewhat as
follows: Germany sits quiet and neutral,
hoping and even consenting that Austria
shall seize upon Herzegovina and Bosnia,
and TINT Russia shall take Bulgaria This
| being done, these two Powers can go no
farther, nor lay any obstacle in the way OF
German ambition. Germany then would Do
free to seize upon Holland and q sufficient
strip Of Belgium to obtain Antwerp, which
| has heen a coveted treasure ever since the
reunion, and might wind up by taking Den
mark, a large slice Of which she has already
Who is to stop her? Russia and Austria pe'
ing caught with their hands full Of plunder,
what is to hinder Germany from taking her
share also? To mike good her lost proV1n-
ces. Alsace and Lorraine, France would then
step in and take French Belgium. England
has long wanted Egypt, and in addition
would take Greece also, as well as the Iurko
Grecian Provinces Of Epirus and Thessaly, II
which she is already fomenting 1nsurrec
ton with the hope Of obtaining foothole
south Of the Balkans to Offset Russia NORTH
of them Italy wants strip Of territory or
the other side of the Adriatic, as we'll as the
Province of Tunis on the African coast, ane
has already made her wants known, much tt
Austrian disgruntlement. This is the scheme
which the London Times correspondent h1nt'
at; and if there be war resulting IN q par
tition of plumber the g divide will be very
nearly as we have indicated.