Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-09-13
From the Chicago Tribune.
The War Cloud,

lurco SerVlan war, and from all outward
| appearances, the Great Powers seem to
be drifting along towards war. There
can be no doubt, notwithstanding its de-
NAL of defeat, that Servia is crushed by
the Turk, and that The latter is turning
upon Montenegro with all possible dis
patch. in order 10 have revenge upon the
ally of Servia before any terms of peace
are made. The battle of Alexinatz on
Friday last, which lasted from O'Clock in
the morning until at night. was the
browning blow of the war. 1t was des-
perately fought on each side. was attend
ed by fearful carnage, and resulted in the
rout of the Seryians and the occupation of
the fortress BY the Turks. Closely follow
ing upon this event, the Turks expressed
themselves willing to negotiate a peace,
but Russia stepped in and ntcriered, de
handing en- behalf of Scrsia an armistice
of month. The Turks undoubtedly took
their step relying upon Englands support,
England having been their champion and
the apologist for their atrocities in Bulga-
ria.
In the march of the events to which we
have alluded, however, there has been n
revolution in England upon the Turkish
question, growing ont of these very atroc-
tiles and the manner in which they have
been treated by DisraeIi and the Tories
The English people move slowly, but
when thoroughly aroused their power is
irresistible. The power behind the throne
has spoken in no uncertain manner. John
Bright in recent speech said: Eng
land should clear herself of all partnership
in the interests and policy Of Turkey. 1t
is partnership unnecessary to our inter-
ests, and degrades us in the estimation of
every Christian" Gladstone has written
u pamphlet full Of indignant denunciation
of the Tory policy. Earl Russell has
written to Lord Granville urging an au-
tumn session of Parliament, and calling
for an alliance of the Powers of Europe to
combine in one firm and resolute treaty
against Turkish tyranny in Europe, clos
ing with the following significant declara-
ton: IL care not whether Russians Aus
TRANS, Germans, or Italians succeed them,
England will only require to have tive pas
sage into the Black Sea free to all ships
of war and Of commerce. the passage to
Odessa and Varna open" The Bishop OF
Manchester. in letter to the English peo-
pie, says: Come what may,-and do
not see anything is likely, or even posi-
BILE, to come which can endanger the po-
sition of England, it seems impossible, if
we are to have any regard for our honor
or our good name, that we should any
longer throw, or even allow it to be sup
posed we throw, the shield of the protec-
ton OF England over a power which, re-
lying on that protection, has done deeds
which have startled and shocked the con-
science of the whole civilized world"
The London Times boldly says: 1--WE
have. not morally only. but as matter Of
international law, the right to see that
justice is done the Porte's Christian sub
jects. Another fallacy is that to maintain
unabridged the authority of the Porte
throughout the Ottoman Empire is in the
interest of England and an essential con-
dition of every peace to which we could
be party. Those who assert most strong
ly this necessity of unfolding the Porte's
authority speak of it as the policy of Eng
land, and refer to it as tradition of the
highest wisdom of the last generation.
No statement can be more historically I'M
true The whole English press has
spoken with equal boldness and directncss.
and the English people have given the
Government to understand that, whatever
its policy may be, they will no longer al
low their honor to be furnished by sup.
porting barbarism in Europe. The Tory
Government has been unable to withstand
the pressure, and has yielded to the peo-
pie by notifying Turkey, through her Am
bassador. that, if the war continues, the
Turks must be prepared to see Russia Civ
oupPOit " oCtNit, anu tuut EUEIdUu
will not support her in the case of such an
interference
The attitude of the Powers may be sum-
med up as follows: Servia has asked
for an armistice. Turkey has refused it.
Russia has notified Turkey that she will
sustain the request of Servia. England
has notified Turkey that she will not sup
port her in refusing to grant the armistce.
Germany is suspiciously silent. but there
is strong probability that there is an I'M
Outstanding between Bismarck and Gorts-
chakof. Austria alone remains faithful
to the Turk. and the Austrian Ambassa.
dor at Constantnople has secured the con-
fidence of the Porte which the English Am
bassador has heretofore enjoyed. But
what can Austria do, in the event of Rus
sian interference, without an allyp The
question at issue must be solved either