The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-01-02
The Eastern War Cloud-Can Russia
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| Oet NeU0ys
| Our special cable dispatches have fully
confirmed the report published some days
since, but doubted, that the Marquis OF
Salisbury had informed the Sultan that the
British feet would be withdrawn from Turk
ish waters in case of his non-acceptance OF
the programme of reform. This withdrawal
is a fact of the first importance. 1t gives an
indication which could not be made more
significant or distinct of England's sincerity
in supporting the propositions laid before
the Sultan by the Conference. Doubt OF
the possibilities Of England's relations
to the Power whose welfare she has
good reason to desire has compll-
Gated the case for the other Powers
which would otherwise have more resoluteiy
pushed their demand for the required re-
FORMS The Powers wish to improve TURKISH
administration, primarily because 1t Is
| chronic source of instruction, and there-
fore q constant danger to the peace OF
Europe They move therefore, TO prevent
| a general war. But if England should sus-
tain Turkey the Powers could not coerce
that government without directly producing
that general war which it is the object OF
their joint action to avoid.
II is therefore, bold straightforward,
and in every way trustworthy act Of Brit
ish policy to withdraw the feet. AS the
sending this fleet to Besika Bay was ac-
cepted by the three imperial Cabinets as the
evidence that England would support her
ancient ally, so it's withdrawal will be re-
ceived as evidence that England Will
not sustain the Sultan in his refusal
to concede those notifications in his
administration which oil the great Powers
unite in demanding. This action leaves the
case plain and clear between the Sultan and
the civilized world He must grant the re-
forms demanded, or war will follow. unless
it shall prove that Russia is unable to get an
army ready by the season for commencing
active operations. Russia's inability in this
respect is the only circumstance that Will
enable the Sultan once more to defeat the
demands Of the Christian world.
Within few days it has been held In
Europe that the best hope for peace was in
volved in the fact that Russia could not
Immediately move her troops. 1t was as
sumed that q proud government would nat
urally abate its pretensions when to push
them would inevitably develop its inca
pacity to make them good with the sword;
and that this abatement Of the demands
made by the northern Cabinet would permit
the Conference to give such shape to
its programme that the Sultan could
accept it without peril to his sovereignty or
to his standing in Islam. Perhaps the cor
respondents who sent this news from tho
East were not so independent as might be
desired of influences inimical to Russia; yet
the news SO far agrees with our special re-
ports that we are satisfied it is not without
some foundation in fact. Great obstacles to
the rapid and efficient equipment OF an
army are evidently crippling Russia's power
at this moment.
But the peaceful inclination that is thus
presumed to exist in the Russian mind has
an evident relation to dates, and this hope
for the peace of Europe may, therefore, not
survive the extension of the armistice. 1t
ment to have it's army concentrated in Rou-
mania and within easy reach of the Dan
ube by the expiration of the armistice con-
cluded November THAT is, by the present
time. Few facts have affected the destinies
of nations so much as the inability
to make the movement of armies
agree with the plans for such move
ments as drawn up in government
Offices, and the fact that Russia failed in
this respect need surprise no one. 1t is the
common experience of every nation. Russia
could not get her troops ready at the
specified time, and could not strike as she
purposed doing; therefore she was in a
mood to do the best she could in the cir
cumstances by more pacific demeanor ;
but the extension of the armistice gives her
two months grace. She may have ready by
the 1st of March the army that was not
ready by the LIST of January. We need not
be astonished, therefore, if we presently find
that the consideration of Russia's unreadi-
ness must be withdrawn from the number
| of those that incline the balance in favor OF
peace.
Russia's readiness or unreadiness for war
is of course the cardinal point in the
whole case. Although all the other govern
ments are agreed with her that the relation
of the population Of the Balkans to the
government at Constantinople is a constant
menace to the peace of Europe. she alone
feels herself so deeply concerned Us to de-
mand imperativeiy remedy; and if she
finds that she cannot now extort the remedy
if denied, she will not commit herself hope
lessly to an extreme demand, but if she be-
lieves that tho extension of the armistice
will give her all the time she needs
for preparation this opinion will
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