The New York herald., 1877-01-07
DIR A M ATTIC DO N G IS.
Literary, Musical, Royal, Social and Via
tory Jottings.
THE PALESTINE EXPLORATION.
A Week OF Storns-Father
Thames Breaking Banks.
[pY CABLE TO THE nERALD.l


LONDON, Jan. 8, 1877.
Europe awaits the Ottoman reply to the propo-
sails Of the Conference with great anxiety and the
moment is one Of supreme tension. The general
opinion now is that the Turks have gained diplo-
matte victory over the European plenpotentiarics,
in the Turkish position.
THE TURKS ASSUME A BOLD ATTITUDE
Midhat Pacha and his colleagues, encouraged by
General Ignaticns concessions and taking them as
an evidence of Russian weakness, became despe-
rate and resolved to terminate the European
pressure on Turkey by bold and decided action.
Believing war to be preferable to dependence on
the great Powers of Europe, and hoping that divi-
sions between those Powers might enable them to
get rid Of foreign dctation forever they made up
their minds to act with lrmness and provoke Q
conflict.
TURKISH CONFIDENCE.
Encouraged by the repeated reports Of the break
down Of the Russian preparations and the bad state
of the mobilized Russian army they have become
convinced of their ability to beat Russia in the field,
assistance.
THE OLD OsMANII SPIRIT REVIVED.
This new and naughty attitude Of Turkey will re.
suit in demand for the withdrawal Of the Euro
pcan influence over the councils OF the Porte and
the abrogaton of all treaties which are humiliating
TO Turkish pride. 1t is spark OF the old Osmani
fire which Europe enormously supposed to have
been cxtinguished century ago, and If the rae
must once more betakc itself to the other side d
the Bosphorus it is eyidenti It will make desperate
resistance.
RUsSIAS ALTERNATIVE.
The Russian military preparations have certainly
broken down in certain departments but neverthe-
less Russia cannot afr6rd to stand confessed before
the world as a second rate Power. She is in such
position now that she must either abandon the
Turkish Slavs forever make up her mind to fight
SALISBURY HOODWINKED By IGNArIEFr.
The mission of the Marquis of Salisbury is consid.
cred in some quarters to have proved an egregious
failure 1t is freely said that General Ignaten
jolcd him into compliance with his designs by nat
tcring his dnour-propre, and so succeeded In
making q tool of him. The Turks are unable to read
Lord Salsburys action by the light OF Lord Bcacons-
fields Gulldhall Speech and it is generally under
stood that Englands action has decided them "a
accept battle.
TINES CORRESPONDENTS OPINION.
The Pera correspondent Of the Times, heretofore
strongly antiTurkish and proIsussan, writes under
date of January IL am still of the opinion that
the Turks will ultimately give in, but there is no
doubt that the great trump card, intended to be
played as last resource-that OF decla-
ration OF war by Russla---has suddenly turned
ont to be no trump at all, for every.
thing in the attitude OF the st. Petersburg
Cabinet, and the conduct of General lgnatier, tho
Russian Plenpotentiary here, contributes to con.
firm the belief that Russia Is afraid to go to war.
The Russian Ambassador, in fact, throws out clear
hints that the affair could only be settled by joint
posal made by the Czar two months ago.
CONTINUED TURKISH oBsrINAcY.
To Turks have not failed to perceive the advan.
tage accruing to their from this rresoluton
Of Russia and Europe, and are not unlikely to con.
tInue unmanageablc and stubborn as long as they
can natter themselves that the Conference Will
break up without any other result than leaving
them masters OF the situation.
DOUBT AND UNCERTAINTY.
The Puu nan Gazette OF this afternoon In an edi.
torial note says the kilograms and news letters
about the Conference, the attitude OF the Turks and
the disposion of the Russians only deepen the oh.
scuritics or the whole question. 1t seems doubtful
whether at any time more uncertainty
or confusion has prevailed than at this
moment. It Is clear that the Committee
OF foreign statesmen assembled In Cunstantinonle
has itself fallen into much disorder and that II tina
Turks are only resoutc enough at this hour and ara
thereafter truly solictous and speeding in estab
fishing the reforms OF their own new constitution
they may boast OF having defeated and si,cnced nj,
Europe.
STILL NEGOTIATING
Negotiations continue among tho pleninotcn.
tiarfcs at Constantinoplc and between them and
the Turks with view of inducing the Turks not to
formally refuse certain Of the formulated proposals.
which, however, the plcnipotcntiarcs appcar do
posed to modify somewhat from their original shane.
IL Ia lODed that ha n