Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1876-12-23
n WAR IN TURKEY.

THE WAR IN TURKEY.
For some days past the tenor OF tho
from C~onstantinople has been
more pacific than before the preliminary
conference of ministers plenipotentiary'
which began there last week. When
We last mentioned the probabilities OF
war IN Turkey, it seemed almost insv-
liable ;brt since theMarquis ofSalisbury'
the English minister, and Gen. lgnatieh,
the Russian minister, have met face TO
face. and found each other to be clever
fellows, there seems to be more llkeii-
hood of peace. The two powers last
mentioned mus; settle the question as TO
war or no war, and for that reason the
least word from their accredited diplo-
matists is weighed with the utmost care;
and their conciliatory demeanor toward
each other, which is, of course, in ac-
cordance with the desires OF their re-
spective governments. is a strong lndi-
cation of a p~eaceable settlement OF the
sick mans disordered household.
While diplomacy is e~ndeavoring to avert
war at Constantinople, it IS stirring up
hostile feeling in other quarters. Prince
Bismarck has addressed a dispatch to
the French government. in which he
severely censures it on account OF the
wrong done Germany by the French ex-
port duties on iron. This action OF the
German Chancellor. coupled with the
announcement that Germany has toupd'
an alliance with Spain. causes much
irritation in Paris. 1t is thought that
Prince Bismarck desires 10 test Just how
far he can push France without provok-
ing resistance, so that he may know what
he may expect in the event OF wal in. the
east. Mr.. Theirs has expressed him
self as believing that Wal is inevitable.
and great consideration should be Civ
en- the wiry little statesman's opinion.
especially as Russia insists on the occu-
patton of Bulgaria, and as it is believed
that the Porte will never consent to it
until he Is compelled to do so by force
of arms. Though without England 5
assistance he would inevitably be subiu-
gated, still his confidence IN his urban
ed hosts is implicit, and there is point
beyond which he will not go. The for
NAL conference, in which all the powers
will be represented, is probably now in
session, and by next week tho world
may know what to expect. In the mean,
time, Russia does not disguise that SIZE
is prepared for war. and that she is con-
stantly strengthening her armies. She
has recently ordered the mobilization OF
one hundred thousand more troops,
and intends crossing the Pruth, rroba-
blv next week. The main army will
occupy the eastern part of Rounania,
and one army corps will march INTO
ServIs. All this will be done without
any formal declaration of war. on the
hypothesis that Roumania is a friendly
power, and no longer subject to Turkey.
Our readers are generally by this time
familiar with the component pats of
Turkey in Europe, which consis. of .
number OF provinces in which, though
under Turkish rule, three-fourth., At
least, Of the population is christian; and
the alleged purpose of the Car in
threatening war is to prevent imposition
of excessive taxes upon these christian
people, and their maltreatment and
abuse by the Turkish officials. The
demands of Bulgaria, recently submitted
to Lord Salisbury, as we learn them
from a correspondent OF the London
Daily News of the 10th inst, set forth
what these provinces ask. They are
General amnesty for political offenders
self government; complete religious
equality before the law; decrease OF
taxation temporary foreign occupation,
to disarm Mohammedans, and the guar
anteeing of reforms by the powers
In these demands they must have the
sympathies of the entire civilised world
and for humanity's sake it is to be hopec
that a peaceable adjustment of all diff
culties may be arrived at, and war bt
thereby averted.
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