The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-04-01

sure harbinger of peace for Europe. The
fact that the protocol, as signed by
England, does not definitely decide
the question Of Russia's disarmament
proves conclusiyely that England is either
being deceived by the other Powers
or gives her consent to a compromise
which can be thrown aside at any moment
under convenient excuse. The attitude of
affairs in Europe, judged from an impartial
standpoint, affords no hopeful indication of
a lasting peace. The protocol, even though
accepted in modified form by England,
does not change the situation from war to
peace as decidedly as the diplomats OF
Europe may seek to show. Up to
the moment that England signed the
compromise war appeared to be inevitable,
and even with her adhesion to the pro-
gramme active hostilitfes may DO precipi-
tated at any moment and the whole OF
Europe thrown into blaze. As will be
seen by our cable dispatches, the danger is
far from being averted, for 1t is at the best
only postponed for tho time being. The
procrastination Of England has really added
to the danger she sought to avert, and her
long delay in coming to decision has
shaken the confidence of Europe in her sim
cerity.
England's refusal to cooperate in the
endeayors made by other Powers to pre-
serve the peace of Europe, without the
abandonment of the view. held now for half
a century, that she possessed right OF
protectorate over the Christians in Turkey,
babe fair at one time to be the great
turning point IN Continental policy.
There has been no doubt in the minds
of European statesmen for year, both
in and out Of England, that the course
of the British government was unmis-
takably clear and that unless it frankly
supported the policy Of the governments
that were on the side of civilization against
barbarity it would lose at once prestige and
power and force events into shape inimical
to British interests, but which British states
men could only contemplate with folded
hands. But the false start made by the
English government in these negotiations has
been fatal to England's position all through.
The enormous blunder made at the outset
was the REFUSAL for no adequate reason
whatever, to Join the three Powers in what
was called the Berlin note. By that note
Turkey was called upon to do justice
to her subjects in accordance with her treaty
obligations to the rest of Europe. All the
Powers joined in the demand save England,
and Turkey only waited for England to join
in order to act; but England refused and
the note failed. No opportunity SO easy has
been offered since. From point to point by
inevitable stages the case has grown worse,
and the Turks have completely destroyed
the Servians supported morally by Russia;
and, having thrust two Sultans from the
throne, are morally in the state of an ex-
cited animal that has the bit in his teeth and
is no longer subject to ordinary measures of
control. Englands word is no longer of
any avail in Constantinople, and what Eng
land might do, even, she will not do, be-
cause of the dislike to follow in any respect
whatever the initiative Of Russia
England's policy in the case all along seems
to have consisted of only one rule, which was
not to take any action proposed by Russia,
and simply because twas proposed by Rus
sia 1t has happened before now that govern
ments were controlled by ideas as narrow
and illogical as this, and their foes, finding
the key to their conduct, have led them
into FOOLS paradise by simply playing
upon their antipathies. Thus it has become
plain since the remarkable course of the
British government toward the Marquis Of
Salisbury at Constantinople that it only had
to be known of any measure thai it was sup
ported by Russia to secure its rejection by
the British Cabinet. If, therefore, the
diplomatists at Berlin and st. Petersburg
wished to secure infallibly that England
should commit herself against any measure,
it was necessary only that they should
cause it to be ostentatiously sustained and
the British Cabinet as the impersonation Of
all the evil, deceit and wrong of Russian
policy 1t is not yet at all certain but this is
what has been done, and there is some APP
pearance that the marvellously astute people
who conduct John Bulls foreign affairs have
been led by ill-temper, ignorance and old
fashioned notions of diplomacy into this OBJ
vious and easy trap. 1t may prove, there
fore, that the return of General Ignatieff
almost as empty handed as lie came is the
triumph of those who do not contrive their
schemes to further the profit or honor of
England Indeed, it did not seem the other
day to we'll instructed writers in London
credible that their government had actually
refused to meet Russia amicably in the ex-
IRENE step taken by her of sending
to London special envoy for the ex-
press purpose of securing her assent to
a fair settlement. Hence they framed re-
port which we discredited at the time that
Russia had promised to demobilize her
army. It will be seen by our London de-