The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-12-30
WHAT rs como on IN EUROPE

siderable anxiety is reported among all clnsees
on account Of the uncertainty Of the political
situation business Ia ut q stnndstill, and mys-
FERROUS Cabinet councils are being held at
season usually devoted to tho consumption OF
old port and plum pudding. Regtmental allot-
ments Of an army OF 80 600 men are said TO have
been completed. and some steps taken for the
formation Of n reserve corps. At the same time
the Porto has solicited Queen Victoria's Gov
eminent to approach" the Emperor OF Russia
with view OF bringing about negotiations for
peace. and the British Cabinet has agreed
to comply with the request. The London Post.
which has the reputation OF being inspired from
above. remarks that the duty which England
has undertaken In not embarrassed by any basis
for the settlement of the war. and involves
nothing moro than a promise to test the willing
ness OF Russia TO enter into negotiations.
On the other hand. the Pail NAL Gdzette
which Is the organ OF the alarmists. declares
that 1t would be sheer imbocility not to make
preparation for a storm. The confidential. pre-
liminary stops which have been taken by the
British Cabinet since the fall Of Pevna and the
return OF the Car to st. Petersburg. seem TO
have elected far less reserve on the part OF
the Russian Cabinet than might have been an
tcipated." But the meaning OF the word - re-
serve is not quite clear here; II might have
not report reached us that in replying to the
address OF some deputation. the Gar had said
" England will apparently exercise pressure
upon the liberty OF our action but we will not
consent to mediation. and are armed against
Intervention"
This nice distinction between the words me-
diation and Intervention IL not the Cars. but
old Prince Gortchakoffs. He argues that me-
diation is an action which is entered upon by n
neutral party at the request OF both contendng
sides. and that. accordingly. any step England
might take at the request Of Turkey alone must
be considered az Interference or Intervention.
This point alone. not TO speak Of fresh mill
tary Preparations Just ordered in Russia. shows
that Gortchakoff has made up his mind to keep
England out Of the peace negotiations at any
price; and he Is sure 20 succeed. unless an inn
probable ouburst OF dignity on the part OF the
mass OF the English people throws them into an
armed conflict.
The new phase Of the struggle upon which
the Russian and English Cabinets are now en-
tering is by no means an equal one. Lord Bea-
consneld has large odds against him. for his adj
versary has no noisy Parliament to contend
with. no popular agi,ators to fight. no factious
newspapers TO listen to. He can do what he
pleases. provided he remains within the limits
OF the natural resources OF the country. and
n
talk about the bankrupt condition OF the Rus
sian finances ia idle in this case. The Cars
Ministers may not be able TO pay the interest on
the national debt. but they will always find
money enough for war purposes.
With the formidable forces at his disposal
with perfect freedom OF action. and with the
diplomatic training he has had since the days
Of the Congresses of Laybach and Verona. the
pupil OF Nesserode Is almost certain 10 got the
best OF the cynical and waverng Dizzy.
The new French Cabinet continue TO give gen
cral satisfac tion at home as well as abroad
The new Minister OF Foreign Affairs. VI. Wad-
dinlton. If spoken OF with great respect by the
German press. His presence in the Cabinet IL
considered as a safety valve. making the stanch
Catholicism OF Dufaure harmless. and the cir
cular which he has sent to the foreign powers
explaining the intended policy OF the new
Cabinet. will. undoubtedly. strengthen the
favorable impression He declares in unms-
taxable language that France will mind her
own business. and interfere with other peoples
affairs only when requested To do So or else when
the protection Of her own interests in the Mcdi.
erranean. or some az citation in the small sur
rounding States shall compel her to do go.
BY the " small surrounding States" are evil
IDENTITY meant Belgium Holland and Switzer-
land the independent existence OF which may
become involved in the ultimate settlement Of
the Eastern question.
NJ Waddington has also sent neat little cir
cular to the employees of his Ministry, saying
that the republican form OF government has
now been finally and firmly established in
France, and that any gentleman connected with
the Foreign ONCE and not liking this form of
Government will do wise thing in selcctin.
another career.
All that Dufaure and WaliingtOn have IN do