National Republican., 1876-12-27
The Cossack aud MussuImau.

Toe first sitting of the conference at Con-
stantipople on Saturday last did everything
but 10 assure the peace of Europe. The Turk
ish Minister deported himself in a manner
which shows conelusively that the Sultan will
be bound by no decisions of the conference
which are in any wsy diss Ereeable to his Sui
tsnship and the tastes of Lis devoted minions.
The Audrassy note demands the abolition Of
tax farming and the reform of the system OF
assessments; the establishment of a militia
and local police, composed of Christians
and Mussulmans in the proportion of the re-
spectiTe populations the Syrian precedent Of
the Porte nominating Christian governors with
the approval of the Powers also, the dis
bandment Of the Circassians and the punish
ment of the red-handea Bashi- Bazouks who
committed the Bulgarian outrages. The most
important demsnds, however, are those made
by the Herzegoviniau insurgents, and 1t is be-
Hieyed that by them and their fate the result
of the conference will be shown. Some Of
Ihese demands, such a. the disarmament of
both Christians and Mussulmans in Herzego-
vina, Bosnia and Bulgaria, and the withdrawal
of Turkish troops to certain prescribed places,
30 as to prevent collision between the military
and pOpulace, and the introduction Of direct
control by . consular commission, meet with
violent opposition from the Ottoman Govern
ment, and viii pave the way for . military oc-
rupstion of these provinces which viii inevits-
bly, lead to war. There is no doubt but that
The Turks Will fight to the bitter end against
the invasion Of their territory by military
force, for they appreciate the fact that such
an invasion would be direct violation of the
independence and integrity of the Turkish
Government, so far as the literal construction
of the treaty Of Paris is concerned.
Although Russia has put her hand to . dec
larstion that she does not seek territorial ag-
grandizement or hostilities, still SIX corps
d'Grnee have been hastily modified and Kis-
senoff and Odessa chosen as the centres of
military preparations. There is also a strong
war sentiment spreading rapidly throughout
the Russian Empire, and the demands of the
war party are becoming almost Irresistible
with the Gar. These indications, connected
with the fact that Turkey finds in the
demsuds of Russia many things that are
obLcxious to her, bear strong evidence
that the efforts of the conference will be futile.
Turkey, for twenty years, has made promises of
reform, and has perennially broken them, and
neither Russia nor any of the Powers have
confidence in her proposed reformation at the
present time. Russia, in wanting this conf
deDce, will naturally look with suspicion upon
any result Of the conference, except the occu-
patton Of the disturbed Sclavic dominions by
her troops. This being the Russian demand,
objected to so strenuously on the part of the
Ottoman Government, the clash of arms seems
inevi.abl What the result Will be time can
only Interpret. At present the Turk holds
strong position. His armies are flushed with
triumph aud their sinews hardened to the
rigors of war. If, therefore, an appeal to
arms be made, the Cosssck will find desper-
ate foe in the turban- pated Mussulman, and
one most worthy his steel.