, 1876-10-19
WAR.

TIE war in Europe has commenced. 1tus.
ata and Turkey aro already faco to face, aud
the dip1onatists have ccased their useless
work. The London Timessays: "Tho hopes
We have no anxiouaiy cherished must, no
fear, at length bu abandoned, aud VIC must
recognize tho fact that negotiations nro
practically at M ond, mud that the two
bclligezents NOW face to face ia European
Turkey must 10 loft to the consequences Of
thor conduct. Anothor twenty-four hours
]las brought no rolief to tue tension under
which we wero iaboriug, and events are
evidently moving too fast on tho Dauubo to
bo arrcsted BY tho slow progress Of even
telcgrapl1io diplomacy" There Is no need
longer to discuss tho possible influence of
armisticcs Or tho outcome Of diplomatic
meetings. Who are tho combatants in this
war? How long will it 1ass7 What will be
tie rcsult2 These are tho questions now Of
surprising interest.
For the present at least, there nre but two
co1nbatants in this war,-Rusaia and Turkey.
Russia noyer would havo struck Ind not
Austria promised to be neutral, with tie suro
prospect OF territorial acquisition. Germany
haa notified England it can take no part III
checking tho Russian advance. Italy is neu.
trial. motlestly asking for tho little slice Of
1unis when the Turkey is carved. Franco
can make no move unless Germany docs.
Whit England will do renlnins to bo soon.
She mnst define her attitude before long, hut
it is exceedingly doubtful whether sto will
do moro than ronler the Turks indirect help
by selling them munitions Of war-for caah.
She Las no object in sending troops into tho
field unless tho Russians threaten Coustant-
nop}e, or general war. eusues upon tho par
tition Of tho spoiis. Thus, for tho present,
ls,1ssia and Turkey arc tho only combatanta
Tho war will 10 short ono, and wifi not
spread beyond its present limits. Tho Rus
aiaua will mako short work Of tho Turks.
They llave gained timo by their crafty diplo.
macy to pIaca their army aud navy on a pow
arful footing, md thoy aro now sweeping
down npon Turkey liko tho resist1oss march
! OF destiny. Nusaiau Generals are already in
complete command OF tho 6cryinns. One
| powerful army Is concentrated ut Bender,
| ncaT Odessa, and witt moro down into 1lou.
mania. The other is at Tiilis, on tho trims,
Caucasian side, and will sweep through 1'nr-
koy in Asia. Tho whole Sclayonio raco Is III
ar1na against tho Turiss, md will make q
winter cu1npaign Of fearful severity. Thoy
can fight in tho Bnow. Tho Turks nro sim,
NOR warriors. Thcra can be but ono Issue
to the campaign-the overthrow of tho
Turks, tho and Of centuries Of oppression,
torture, mud tyranny, tho rescue Of The
Christmas, tho downfall Of tho Crescent DO.
fore tho victorious Gross,
After tllls ia attained, then what? Tho
partition Of tho conquered territory. In this
lics tho danger Of o general European war,
Wien the Great Powers come to divide, tier
Russia, Germany, Austria, Italy, Frauco, anG
England will put in their claims, and graat
conflicting interests must bo har1uonizet
with tho old Eastern question still furshol
cntaugliug tie complications. Events have
not proceeded far enough 10 forcsco tl.o cut
whentbo day Of settlement comes. At pros
ent NO can only DO thankful that tho grea
power Of Russia has interposed to reseuo III,
weak Christian provinces from their power
fnl AIobammetlan oppscsso1B and That th'
work will bo short and swift. That slcatin,
in which tho Turk balisycsl.as oyortakeu hin
ut Inst, aud the world will rojoics.