Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1876-10-28
WAR OR PEACE
A Rsvisw 81 the sitsatiss Ii Rursps...wiii
thefe b War;

A Review 81 the sitsatiss h Rursps...wiii
thsfs b War;
There Ia no doubt OF the gravity OF
the news from eastern Europe. The
whole face OF affairs has changed within
few days. Tho cssr has opposed the
months on the ground that II would be
barlensome and Injurious to Servia and
Montenegro, and would not improve the
condition OF the Christian subjects OF
tho Porte. Servia, or in other words the
Russian revolutionary party that gov
ems II, has rejected It also. Turkey has
not precisely accepted the English pro-
posals, but has deferred them by an
nouncing that she will introduce re-
forms throughout the whole empire
which will satisfy the Christian powers.
These, however, are not the recent
events which have caused almost panic
in Europe. The alarming occurrence
has been the mission OF Gen. Sumaro.
koff from the car to the emperor OF
Austria-a diplomatic messenger who
had been previously sent to Prince
Milan to congratulate him on his mar
riage. The proposals of this diplomat
have leaked out, and there seems no
doubt that Russia has offered to Austria
q Joint occupancy Of European Turkey,
the latter power taking temporary pos
session of Bosnia and Herzegovina. and
tho former Of Bulgaria, Servia being
left to herself. An Austro- Russian feet
is then to watch the Bosphorus. Under
this plan, European Turkey will DO es-
sentially wiped out, or, at all events,
placed under foreign occupancy. The
Christians would BIO protected in the
best possible manner. Turkish oppres-
sion would be checked summarily, and
the Eastern question, so far as the prov
inces are concerned, DO finally solved.
But under this arrangement Russia
would gain or regain a new foothold
near the mouth of the Danube, in all
probability through the proposed port
of Montenegro, would find harbor for
her feet on the Adriatic, and, with
Austria, control the great entrepot for
Eastern commerce, Constantinople.
Turkey, of course, could only submit to
such degradation after severe defeat.
Such a settlement would only be made
after n great war between Turkey and
the two imperial powers. In such
war, would the other European powers
be kept at distance9 Would England
be drawn inf Would Germany assist
Russia These are the questions which
have 80 excited and alarmed Europe.
The kilograms from the articles in
leading European journals indicate a
fear that Austria will accept this propo-
sition of the car. But we doubt it, for
the following reasons: Count Andrassy
is Hungarian, and the controlling
sentiment in the Vienna cabinet is Hun.
garian in its direction. The Magyars
are VIGOROUSLY opposed to strengthen
ing the Sclavonic influence, and are
favorable to Turkey. The last thing
they would desire would be a new Scla.
vonic state on their eastern borders, ora
pew foothold Of Russia on the lower
Danube. Joint occupation would mean
in time either now Sclavonic state or a
new Russian province and new Scla-
vOnic addition to ustro-Hungary.
The Magyars can hardly hold their
own now against the Sclavs in the Aus.
triau and Hungarian parliaments. They
will not be likely to risk great war in
order to increase the number of these
deputies. A war against Turkey would
be popular nowhere in Austria. Then,
the finances of the empire are in the
last degree unfavorable to the und r.
taking Of new war. It is true that
Austria may reasonably calculate on
Turkey finding no ally in Germany, for
the czar could hardly have ventured SO
far in negotiations without being sure of
the future position of his uncle, the
Emperor William. The great interest
OF the German empire is, moreover, OBJ
vlously to remain in harmony with Rus
struggle with France, which always
looms ominously in the distance. Still,
the rulers OF Europe know only too
well that the fires of war can be easily
kindled, but no one can predict where
or when they will be quenched. 1t can
not be at all certain to Austria that Eng
land will not protect Turkey. It would
be strongly probable hatshe, would never
consent to an Austro. Russian occupancy
Of Oonstantinople. All these considera,
tions will tend to hold back the Austrian
emperor from this dangerous alliance.
On the other hand, it may be that the
proposals look only to temporary occu-
pancy, and that the two powers hope to
effect it without war with Turkey, and
thus bring about settlement of the
question. In this case, however, Aus
tria would only act with the consent of
the other European powers, and joint
occupancy by all would check all ambi-
tious projects by either of the two en-
pires. 1t is possible that tho proposal
will result in this, which would certainly
be the best conclusion. An European oc-
cupation of the insurgent and oppressed
provinces would settle the whole ques-
ton and bring about the desired end
the cessation of Turkish absolute rule
in Europe and the formation of new
self-governing Sclavonic States. -Ne,0
York Times.