Daily Kennebec journal., 1877-12-31
THE EASTERN WAR. The Eastern Difficulty
The Eastern Difficulty.
Favorable Prospects Of The Contem.
plated Peace Negotiations.
COMMENTS OF THE PRESS ON THE
SITUATION.
The War Party in
London.

LONDON, December 20. The Times SAYS the
announcement that the Snltan has invited Her
Ma)esy government to approach the Czar with
view OF bringing about negotiations for peace,
WI tend to calm some of the fears which have
been exciting the country and TO hold out n hone
that the Dreadful war may be brought to q close
more quickly than by the shock of battle. The
CIRCULAR to the powers showed that for time the
peace party had got the upper hand.
Now that all the powers have courteously but
hrmly declined 10 approach Russia with imposs-
bic conditions, the Sultan has wisely asked this
country to use lis good Offices 10 bring about ne
gotiatioDs for peace.
1t Is important that the government should con-
duct the negotiations in a spirit absolutely free
from partizanshp. We are not parties 10 the
present contest. To take sides with one of two
powers which we must bring into contact, would
, simply be to make mission useless and destroy
the prospect OF Pesce.
Ii may be obliged to urge the Porte, on one
hand, o be wise IN time and Russia on the 9TH
er not 10 demand such terms would goad the
Turks 10 desperate conrse, and thus multiply
he pelis of Europe. When the mediator NAV
seem TO act rs advocate of one power and not Of
aLo her, the arguments m us be dictated purely by
a sptt ot Cancellation.
lhe News says the Ottoman government de-
clales It's desire that peace may he brought about
on the present basis of facts, and lis professions
must be accepted as sincere TIE public will wish
It success IN its new policy.
The present war primarily concerns Russia and
mnst be considered by Europe.
BERLIN, December %. The North German
Gazette says: Ii England merely seeks to sound
RUSSIA respecting her willn sness to make peace
and the chances Of success OF direct applc of
he Porte to st. Petefsbui q, credit may be award
Ell 10 breat Britain for her merorous inte tioIs.
II 10 any other case the theory ofthe Agence Rus
sc that mediation unless solicited by both beiger-
enls, becomes intervention. Russia in the fulfil
meht OF her mission can scarcely be stopped, even
by the ceveIest moves on the political chess.
board.
NEW YoRK, December 30. A special cable
from London says the London war party in this
country is momentarIlv lnceasing in influence
aud numbers. Russophites are constantly using
Efforts toward orgsnzstOn of liberal assoca lions,
aud are quite arrogant in passing resolutions in
favor OF peace, but arrogance of Russia toward
suffering Turks, and extreme coldness by Germa-
ny is extremely exaspeIating to a major ity of En-
gllshmen. The result is determined increaec of
the war party, and general expectation is to be
brought into war with Russia early in the coming
spring.
Eighty thousand native troops and 20 900 Eng
lish regulars have all eady been ordered to be 10
IL adiness 10 march at short notice from India, for
Egypt aud Turkey. 1t is believed 50,000 British
troops at Batown in alliance with Turks, with
money and arms TO distribute, would raise q storm
which would dive the Russians out of Trans Cau-
casus as well as Armenia.
fOt some time great stores of provisions and
munitions of war have been sccumulsting at Nal.
Ia, from which point they could be easily be
drawn for supplies needen for Eng lish army at
Constantinople, or fleet TO bar the Dardepells
against Russian shipe of war.
Certain well defined British interests which
have been touched up by the war, will be declared
by the Queen IN speech at the opening of Parlis-
ment. she will explain the situstion as clearly as
possible and an ullimatum being necessary, Lord
Beaconsht Iii will ask the attention Of parliament
TO deal with the subject the ministry may think
consistent with the safety and honor of the coup-
try. 1t is bt esed here that very large majority
viii vote with him IN this view of the case.
The Agence Russo adds that the British gov.
eminent has not specified what the measures
would be, but they cannot be those cited by
times, as 1t would be impossible TO take such
measures without declaration OF war.
Relative TO tue reports concerning English me-
dation, the Agence Russo points out that accord
ing TO internal onsl law, mediation is only possible
when solicited by both belhgerents. Russia.
though ready to listen to any overtures the Porte
might address TO her direct, has never done any
thing to show she had any intention OF accepting.
The London Observer says We believe the
government, up to recent date intended imme
dlately upon the re-assembllng OF Parliament, TO
introduce series OF resolutions defining certain
general principles in regard to the attitude of
ot Eng land on the Eastern question and the Russo
Turkish war, and specifying the mode in which
those principles were to be applied. If PaIlia-
ment approved the resolutions, the government
meant 10 occupy GallipolI-not as an act of host-
ty but to ootsin vantage ground with view to
peace negotiations. How far the programme msy
stll be fulfilled. of course depends upon the next
foltDIghts events.
CoNsTANTISoPLE, December 80. despatch
says ,ha Ausrla IA reply to the Turkish circular
reserves II, right 10 intervene on the opening of
p ace negotiations, as guaranteeing and frontier
power.