Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-10-27
The struggle in Eastern Ruropo.


rapidly. But II is more than year since
The spark was first applied to the train
which now threatens a disastrous explo-
sion. The instruction which broke out in
Herzegovina aud Bosnia, during the latter
part of 1875, was regarded by the rest OF
the world as one of those disturbances
which must be inevitable in any Turkish
province, so long Us the Greek aud Roman
Catholic Christians are oppressed by Mos
lem rule. The revolt was made the pre-
text for aggravated seventies on the part of
the Turks in all their Christian provinces.
Servia, Montenegro, and Roumania were
inflamed by reports Of atrocities committed
upon their co-relgionisls 10y the Moslem.
Tue war spirit in Servia was so deeply
stirred that Prince Milan, upon whom
suzerainty TO the Sublime Porte sits easily
enough declared his fears of popular out
lreak which he could not restrain. As
the year wore on, the agitation in Servia
increased, aud it was remarked that some
sinister inf uenco was at work 10 stir up tho
strife whenever there were signs that the
popular excitement was dying out. The
flames of excitement were perpelually fan
ned by an unseen hand.
The affair OF Herzegovina and the Bosni-
an troubles were lost sight of when Prince
Milan, at the beginning of last July de-
clared war on Turkey, and crossed his own
frontier at several different points. In his
proclamation on taking the field, Milan
made this declaration: Turkey has pro-
voked war by not satisfying Bosnia aud by
threatening Seryia. We enter Bosnia in
the cause Of humanity and nationality"
Previous 10 this, the alarming condition OF
affairs ia Eastern Europe had aroused the
great powers 10 the necessity CT Joint ac-
ton, and, at the instance of Russia, a con-
ference was proposed. This project was
defeated by England, who declined the con-
ference. and sent a fleet TO Besika Bay.
Military operations during the past sum.
mer were in the main favorable TO the Ser
VANS, though Montenegro did not cooper
ate with them. But in September the Turks
gained decided victory in their cam paigu
on the Morava, and the Servians were
forced 10 abandon Alexnatz. Negotiations
for an armislice began at once. Russia ia.
vored an unconditional and prolonged
truce. Turkey insisted that the open as
sisIance TO Servia which Russia was giving
should cease before any such proposition
could be entertai ned. For by this time ii
was notorious that ii was Russia who was
fighting Turkey on the Servian frontier.
The belligerency Of Servia was purely
nominal. Finally Turkey granted "a ces-
sation of hostilities" for ten days, begin
nj ng Sept. 10. During this brief lull di-
plomacy was exhausted in attempts to pro.
long the truce indefinitely. England made
a proposition of three points: /. An I'M
conditional armistice OF six weeks. 2. The
status quo ante belium TO be maintained as
regards Servla and Montenegro, with an ex-
tension of territory for the latter. 3. Lib
eral provision 10 DO made for local autono-
my in Bosnia, Herzegovina, and Bulgaria.
The otLcr powers assented to these propos-
ais, and they were presented TO the Sub
lime Porte just before the ten days truce
expired. Only England and Italy, howev-
er, actively supported the proposals; Rus
STA, whose action in this crisis was anxious
ly observed, left England 10 manage the
case. Turkey hesitaled long over the Eng
lish proposals, and sought TO secure more
time by granting an extension tho truce
for eight days. The Turkish government
demurred 10 the specification by name of
the insurgent or contumacious principali-
Ties and provinces. II was evidently tho
desire of the Porte TO be len to deal with
the provinces affected, without being bound
TO any definite line of action.
Before Turkey could formulate what was
its practical rejection OF The English pro-
posals, Servia broke cut again with violent
hostilitits. The proposals were denounced,
and lighting wss resumed Sept. 2S, while
the so-called extended truce was yet unex-
pired. Montenegro also refused TO accept
any arrangement which did not give her
more territory. This was the condition of
affairs at tho beginning Of October, when
Europe was astonished by proposition
made to Austria in letter from the Gar
This was 10 the effect that Russia should
occupy Bulgaria with her troops, and that
Austria should occupy Bosnia and Herze-
govina, and that an Austro- Russian fleet
should be stationed on the western coast of
Turkey. This proposal, which was COM
municated TO all the powers, was regarded
as scheme 10 give TO Russia peacefully
the advantage which she wasSuspected 10
be ready to seize by force. Various propos-
ais for conference we've made, but Rus
sian diplomacy, in almost every instance,
seemed TO be passively obstructive. Rus
STA consented TO nothing. Finally, Turkey
decided TO grant an armistce which should
last until March 10, 1871 The conditions
affixed were that the Servians should be
prevented from retaking The military posi-
tions gained by the Turks that the intro
duction OF war material and foreign recruits
into Montenegro and Servia should he fore
IDLY stopped, and that Servla and Montene-
gro be prohibited from giving aid TO insur-
gents in adjoining provinces. Russia
promptly and peremptorily rejected this
proposition, and reverted TO the English
proposal for an unconditional six weeks
armistice, with which she row delared she
would be satisfied.
The noticeable and alarming feature in
this brief review of the course of events In
Eastern Europe is the sinuousness of Rus
sian diplomacy. There can be no question
now as TO the cause of the constant agita-
ton in Servia; and those who intimate that
the troubles in Bosnia aud Herzegovina
were of Russian origin, may not be far
wrong. 1t is Russian policy 10 push her
entertainments until she encounters a solid
obstacle. Her ultimate goal is Constantine
ople. How far this latest spring will carry
her in that direction is yet to be determ-
ine.-N. Y. Times.
Governor Til6en has written letter TO
Abram S. Hewitt in reply 10 one from