The New York herald., 1877-01-08
Turkish StubbornneSs Encouraged by
Russia's Supposed Weakness.
THE CONFERENCE CONFESSED A FAILURE.
Moslem Protests Against For.
eign Intervention.
RUSSIAN TROOPS READY TO MARCH.
The Back Sea Fleet in Position at the
Mouth Of the Dnieper.
ley CABLE TO THE HERALD. !

IDY CABLE TO THE HERALD.1
LONDON, Jan. 8, 1877.
The situation in the East is still unchanged, and
the strain on the public mind is intense. From the
action OF the Penipotentiaries at Constantinople
plain that the desire for peace is sincere, but the
stubborn tenacity of the Porte renders 1t extremely
diflcult to see how war can be avoided. The ten
would be relief.
THE CONFERENCE FAILURE
The HERALD correspondent in Vienna telegrapha
that the unanimous opinion Of the press and tho
public in that city is that the Conference is failure
The propositions agreed upon by the assembled
Plcnpotentiarics were thrice modified to meet the
stubborn opposition Of the Sultan, but without pro-
ducing any corresponding effect the action Of the
latter.
MosLEM PROTESTS AGAINST FOREIGN INTERVENTION.
The Turkish monarch was encouraged in his OBJ
stinacy BY the attitude OF the Moslem population Of
Bulgaria. 1t is reported that they are greatly re-
joiced at the promugation Of the new constitution
and vigorously protest against foreign Intervention
in the affairs Of the Empire.
MIDHAr ENCOURAGED BY RUSSIAN WEAKNESS.
There can be no doubt that Midhat Pacha places
considerable reliance upon the unreadiness Of the
Russian army at Kischenen. The reports OF the an-
expected lack Of resources and the inadequacy Of
the preparations for immediate war in Russia have
been repeated from various quarters, and 1t seems
to be an established fact that the force which the
Czar could at present bring into the field would DO
much inferior to what was expected short time
ago.
PROBABLY EXAGGERATED REPORTS.
1t is thought, however, by shrewd observers, that
there is great deal Of exaggeratton in these re-
ports, and that the Russian army, notwithstanding
many disadvantages, would still be able to give
good account OF the Turks II the fight were left
between them. Some even think it is piece OF
artful Russian diplomacy to spread reports of
breakdown in their army so as to encourage the
Porte to provoke war that must come . me time,
and might as well be faced now.
RUSSIAN ARMY READY FOR ACTION
Russia has certainly 10000 good troops concen-
trated on the frontier and ready to march into Tur
key at very short notice. This force would give the
Turkish army ample occupation for some time, to
say nothing of reorganizing the shattered Servian
army and the thousands of Turkish Slavs who
would rally around the Russian standard.
THE BLACK SEA FLEET IN POSITION.
The Russian naval preparations are as complete
as could be expected and the Black Sea fleet Is In
position ut the mouth OF the Dnieper This posi-
ton, outside Nicoaief and east Of odessa, is well
situated for offensive movements The object being
TO assume an o1ensive-deiensive position for the
purpose Of protecting the coast towns and second
ing the movement OF the Russian land forces in
their advance toward the Danube, no better strate
gic point than Ncolaief could be selected.
ADVANTAGES OF NIcoLAIEF.
II possesses railroad and telcgraphic communica-
ton with the coast and the interior and is well To-
Gated as base Of operations and supply. Sebasto-
pol being rendered invulnerable to naval
attack by the now torpedo system Of har-
Dor defence, and the Sea Of Azof being too
distant from the Bosphorus to warrant the
operations Of the Turkish iron-clad fleet in that
direction it is presumable that all the efforts of the
latte will be directed toward securing the mouth
of the Danube and against the Russian ports Of
odessa and Nicolaef The Russian neet, therefore,
awaits the development OF the Turkish plans and Is
in position to attack or defend, as circumstances
demand.
PREPARING WIND UP.
despatch from Constantinopic says that tho Euro
pean plenpotsntaries met at the Russian Embassy
on Saturday evening II Is said they decided to de.
clare at Mondays sitting OF tho Conference that they
have not modified their views and cannot make any
further concessions
Az ULrlMArUx PRESENTED.
despatch from Constantinope dated yesterday
says the European governments have instructed their
In tho Conference refuse consider
Midhat Pachas constitution, and to present on Mon
day what 10 realiy the European ultimatum. The
Powers arc very determined, and undoubtedly mean 10
try to iorco the Porto TO accept their proposals.
THE PORTE GIVEN TWO DAYS TO DECIDE
Tho plenipotcntiarics Will give the Porte until
Wednesday or Thursday for final and direct answer.
In tho event ot refusal they have decided to with
draw from Constantnople. Tho Porto bogins TO show
disposition to yield. particularly in regard TO some
sort OF an international commission. which s the most
important part OF the scheme.
REVIEW SITUATION.
A Vienna correspondent says the Porte seems to be
willing to grant consular commission for Bosnia and
Herzegovina, but ressts In regard 10 Bulgaria.
Tho correspondent concludes exhaustive
review Of the situation as follows:-
..Ths difficulties still existing are not
quite so irreconcilablc not TO excite hope that
compromise is possible or at all events that further
delay IN the decision for few days is justified
Berlin despatch says Austria is calling the re-
| serves In Bohemia and elsewhere
RoUMANIA AND TURKEY.
A correspondent at Vienna telcgraphs thero 10
cvcry hopc that the differences between Rou-
mania and Turkey will DO arranged. Tur-
key has already informed the Roumanisn
government that tho Porto never could have any In
sntion of altering BY an act Of internal polGv ths