The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-06-17
Great Britain Must Declare Herself
a Foe or a Neutral.
SUSPENSE MUST END,
Germany Supports Gortscha-
koff's Demand.
TURKEYS INTERNAL TROUBLES.
[DY CABLE TO THE HERALD


LONDON, June 16, 1877.
Late dispatches from the HERALD CORE
spondent at the Russian headquarters re-
port that heavy fighting took place on Mon
day at Turtukoi but the result or even the
means by which the engagement was
brought about are kept secret. No
correspondents are now allowed to
leave the Russian headquarters, and
those who are fortunate enough to be
at the scene of the fighting cannot use the
telegraph to send their news forward. The
Grand Duke Nicholas has shut of every
avenue by which intelligence of the forth
coming great move of his army can get
abroad. Railways, post roads, the telegraph
lines, and even the mail bags are under his
censorship The very fact of this silence at
the seat Of war indicates the imminence of
great events.
STORMS OF IRON HAIL.
The same correspondent states that heavy
cannonading was going on during Friday at
Fort Maratin, situated below Rustchuk, and
at Rahova, down the river short distance
from Widdin. Whether the firing was
opened by Turkish or Russian batteries is
not stated. Therefore, the cannonading
may have been for the purpose of masking
an attempt at q passage Of the river at some
other point, or it may have been the begin
ming of great battle at Rustchuk and Ra-
hova.
1 STORM OF THE EIEMENrs
All along the lower part Of the Danube a
violent storm burst on Thursday night,
and it was feared by the Turks
that the Russians would attempt a
surprise during the intense dark
ness. Nothing Of the kind was attempted,
however, and the Russians seam to have
been fully as unprepared to take advantage
of the weather as the Turks were to have
opposed the crossing had it been attempted.
The weather in the Valley of the Dana wis
generally hot.
ENGLAND AND RUSSIA.
The HERALD correspondent at st. Peters
burg telegraphs that he has had converse
ton with an officer high in the confidence
Of tho Russian government on the subject
Of the relations between England and Rus
STA, which was Of the most important ma
ture. The correspondent was naturally
anxious to ascertain the views Of the Russian
government on tho attitude assumed by
England in relation to the war, and the in
formation obtained may be relied on ms
coming from the highest possible source.
TIE RELATIONS CRITICAL.
The relations between Russia and England
at the present moment according to the gen.
tleman in question, are Of the most critical
kind short of actual war. The two coun-
tries stand on the very verge of hostilities,
and the slightest incident might at any
time precipitate conflict. Never since the
Crimean war has the position been Of such
peculiar difficulty, though the relative
strength and influences of Russia and of
England have changed very materially since
that period.
HSGLAND's INDEFINITE POLICY.
What makes the situation so unsatisfac-
tory is the indefinite policy pursued BY
England in relation to Turkey. She will
neither say one thing nor the other. She
will neither say definitely that she will fight
in certain contingencies, nor will she say
that, under all circumstances, sho will
maintain strictly neutral attitude. She
speaks so indefinitely of British interests
that anything under the sun may be in
cluded in the category, yet it is when these
underlined and unnamed entities are en-
dangered that England will fight.
WHAT ARE BRITISH INTERESTS?
The adoption of such policy as this has
present advantage for England which is
very irritating to Russia, and for that very
reason may end in more injury to the real
vital interests of the English people than
would o straightforward and outspokcn
declaration of the course intended to be
pursued. Its advantages for the present,
however, cannot be questioned. England.
be ii remembered, reserves to herself tho
decision as to what arc and what are not
British interests, and when they are or are
not menaced or interfcred with.
CONVENIENT poLrCY.