The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-06-12
The Platform
Pence Most Improbable.

Nearly seven weeks have elapsed since
war was declared between Russia and Iur-
key; but the Eastern question seems us lar
irom solution az ever. .,u, semi,
IL has now become clear that the car was
forced by thn current Of diplomatic events
prcmaturely into war for which he was not
prepared. The accounts which reach US OF
the incfllcicncy Of the turkish army admin
istration, Of corruption and incapacity on
the part Of those who direct the military
operations on behalf II the Sultan, prove
how imperfect must be the Organization
Of their advcrsarics, who have been un-
able as yet to derive any substantial adj
vantage from their numerical superiority
and supposed greater military capabilities.
With the exception Of the capture Of Arda
han, which has been more than counter
balanced 10y the occupation of Abkhasa and
its capital, Sukum Kalch. by the Turks. the
Russian armies have rs yet done nothing to
warrant the rumors which are being indus
triously circulated by organs in the pay or
under the influence Of Russia. both in this
country and Europe, that Turkey is enter
tanning peace proposals on the basis OF
ccssion of territory in Armenia. anl the
abandonment OF its absolute sovereignty
over Bulgaria and the Danubian provinces
~ liulu 'l'fl'iiN' has p''h gwen " Nii''0f
reports that they have even affected the
price Of gold in our market: but a mo-
ments consideration will suffice to show
that the peaceful solution, the expectation
OF which has exercised this influence on the
rate Of exchange is as far of As ever. The
experience of the Conference at Constanti-
nople proved that the Turks were not Of a
yielding nature. even when under the coer-
cion Of all the powers combined; and they
are not likely now to be surprised into the
REIMBURSEMENT Of their power in Europe be-
cause they have lost triling fortress Ill
Asia.
The task which Russia has set herself is
that Of securing Independence for the Slav
populations Of European Turkey; and II she
rctircs from the contest before she has
achieved this she suffers q moral defeat Of
too serious nature to he compensated tor
by any rectifcation Of her eastern frontier.
She cannot, therefore. without loss OF pres
tige, stop short Of driving the Moslem across
the Balkans; and any indication OF desire
10 negotiate now Is 50 evident sign OF
weakness that it will not be listened TO ior
moment at Cun-t, tntlnnil"
"a. --..,n- are throwing Iircas9ian troops
into their native strongholi-. Caucasian
tribes. that have never before cuopcrat"d
with the Crcassiaus in their wars against
Russia, have risen In rebellion, and the
whole rang" Of mountains from the Black
sea to the Caspian l. alive with warllkc
mountaincers, some Of whom-as. for IN
stance, the Swany- live In such inaccessible
businesses that they hay" never been thor
oughly suhdued With the passes Of Darrell
and Derbcnd in the hands of the Circas7ians
and their allies, all reenforccments for the
Russian army in Armenia will have to be
sent by sea from Astrakhan. while the army
itself will run a great risk Of being cut
of from its base in Georgia hy Turk
ish army operating in Mingrelia and Imeri
Tia on the plan followed by OMAR Pasha in
1S55. That plan would have resulted in the
relief Of kars and the capture Of Iiilis had
the operation been undertaken month
earlier. A. ii was, so great was the panic at
Ills that all the Russian authorities had
packed up the archives and were ready
to eVacuate the city at "A moments notice.
With the prospect of performing this opera
ton again, under circumstances at least as
favorable in some respects RS during the
Crimcan war, it Is not likely that the Turks
Will listen to peace proposals from power
which has shown itself unable, after seven
weeks Of preparation to cross the Danube.
But there are other reasons why IL is evil
Gent that the position OF Turkey l. not such
rs to make her sue FOR peace he hesitation
on the part OF Hussla, whlch mas become
manifest during the last lew days Is
strangely simultaneous with the crisis III
France. When that event occurred, II was
followed by the unofficial return Of Prince
BISMARCK to Berlin, and bya visit shortly
nfter Of Lord ono RUSSELL to London. At
the same time we hear Of 50 much anxiety
on the part Of the Car rs to make il neces-
tary Tor him to 20 to Bucharest, whore he il
now meeting Prince CHARLES Of Iuhcnzol-
Tern, cousin othe Emperor OF Germany. The
question Immediately occurs tOus, would any
Of these moves have taken place had the late
Government remained in power in France
is not the yacllation Of Russia, which