Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-11-10
From the Boston Journal.
Affairs in the East.


Since the conclusion of the armistice,
and the consequent suspension of active
hostilities between the contending parties
in the East. public attention has been less
strongly directed to what is going on in
the way Of diplomacy and negotiation, and
important movements which are in prog
ress are in danger of being overlooked,
because they are unaccompanied with any
blare of trumpets or collision of armies.
In the first place it is evident that the arm
istce was concluded not a day too soon
for the safety of Servia. The flower of
the Servan army had been defeated, .the
most important of the Servian positions
had been taken, and the Turkish army.
flushed with victory and impatient o! re-
straint, was within easy distance of the
Servian capital. Had the combatants
been left to themselves few days longer,
there would have been sharp and bloody
termination OF the war, and the Turkish
despotism would have been riveted so
hope for the future. Only Intervention,
and that by power like Russia, prepared
for an instant enforcement of its condi-
tions, could have saved Servia from this
fate. The Servian army has not simply
been Leaten. but disorganized. its ranks
have been thinned by disease as well as
I, - - ,Itc III nh ha,
the interval afforded by the 'armistice will
be sufficient Tor its recuperation. BY the
terms imposed by Russia the recent ad-
vantages gained by the Turks are aban-
doned, the positions occupied since Oct.
81 have been given up, and Deligrad has
been evacuated but nothing can give
back to Servia TchernajeH7s army as it
was before its defeat by the Turks.
In the second place, it is apparent that
the war spirit is very active in Russia, and
there is very general disposition among
the Russians to substitute an open war
policy for the scarcely concealed antago-
nism which has made use of Serva and
Montenegro as the puppets of its hostile
purpose. The hardness of the conditions
imposed upon the Porte, and the evident
Discrimination to be content, even after the
conditions were complied with, look Il
good deal like an attempt to find a pretext
for war. How long this disposition can
be held in check is a matter of doubt.
The Cars assurance of peaceful inten-
tons are probably sincere, and his dispo-
si,ion is PROFESSIONALLY in favor of peace
but the often-repeated rumors of his in
tended abdication indicate the growing
power of the war party. The latest ad-
vices from the other European powers,
however, diminish the probability of any
thing like a general European war. If
the relations OF Russia and Turkey culmi-
nate in hostlities. there is good reason to
hope that the other great powers will keep
aloof.
Germany announces her intention Of
constituting "a bulwark of peace" Eng
land is planning for peaceful conference
on the basis of Lord Derby's original pro-
posals; and France has neither the power
nor disposition to interfere. The interests
which Austria has at stake will naturally
make her somewhat jealous and watchful,
but her geographical position would
make her engagement in the contest a
hazardous one. Altogether, therefore.
the prospect for peace in Europe is better
than short time ago; and although it is
not impossible that Russia and Turkey
may be drawn into war it is exceedingly
improbable that the struggle will become
a general one.