The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-01-17
RUSSIA AND TURKEY.

The daily bulletins proceeding fro m
that Constantinople Conference have
had the effect to confuse all ideas upon
the Eas ern question. The more those
dlurnal explanations ofthe complications
were studied the more complicated they
became. That peace was certain would
be the announcement of one day, and
that war was unavoidable would be the
announcement of the next day. And
even on the same day information would
come that the Russians were determined
and the Turks were yielding, and that
the Turks were obstinate and the Rus
slams receding. To form any just con-
ception of the true situation OF affairs,
or to estimate the probabilities of peace
or war, becomes a problem receivable
only by the doctrine of chances.
One essential fact is. however, pretty
we'll determined by the conflicting and
contradictory dispatches communicated
to a waiting werld--that is, that the
Turks are obstinately opposing the
scheme presented by the Western Pow
OF Bulgaria by some neutral power, as a
material guaranty of Turkeys fulfill
ment OF her proffered reforms in the
government OF her European Provinces.
This fact is manifest from the other
simple fact OF the prolongation of the Con-
ference to this late date. Why the Sultan
should manifest such an obstinate
resis tance TO this proposition, while
readily asserting TO the reforms as pro-
posed, Is not Immediately obvious to
observers at this distance. But
when it comes to be understood that.
il such concession is assented to by
the Sultan as would permit the occu-
pancy OF a Turkish Eprovince by Euro
pean troops, or require European assent
to civil appointments to such province,
he would encounter domestic reYolu-
tlon among his Asiatic subjects more
dangerous to his dynasty than foreign
war, we may comprehend the ulterior
reasons prompting this stubborn resist
ance to the measure proposed.
That such commotion would most
probably occur among the Sultan's zeal
GUS Mahommedan subjects, already fired |
with tanaticism in defense of their re-
ligion, can scarcely be doubted. That
such an insurrection gould be fatal to |
his reign is equally certain. On the
other hand, should the Sultan boldly de-
clare that he would meet Europe in
arms rather than thus yield single |
province to the armed occu-
patton OF foreign power,
he would turn that religious fanaticism
OF his Moslem subjects into the channel
Of his own defense, and rally around
him a most formidable host of fiery
hearted warriors, such as heretofore
have made all Europe tremble. Under
such circumstances no one could doubt
which alternative theSultan would adopt
as his best line OF policy for consolidat-
ing his dominion in the sentiments OF his
subjects.
In connection with this situation as to
the Sultan's domestic affairs comes the
announcement that Russia is quite un-
prepared for war. 1t is noticeable that
this statement as 70 Russia's unreadi-
ness is first communicated from Turk
ish authority. That such intorma-
tion should have actually reached
the sultan's ministers, we would
deem altogether probable. But the
truthfulness Of the information we
must consider as altogether question:
able. The fact may be admitted that,
6i III ..asis winter season OF the year, Russia
has no desire, perhaps no readiness, by
veason OF tba rlgor Of her climate to :