The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-02-17
THE EASTERN QUESTION.
Russia Believing War 60 he Needless -Rou-
mania to Rcs~nin Neutral

LONDON, Feb. 1G.--The Vienna correspond
ont OF the Times says 1t is tho opinion OF por-
sons ut st. Petersburg. who agrec with tho Gar.
that war is needless because the fall Of Mdhat
Pasha marks the commencement Of state Of
anarchy which will eventually compel Europe
to interfere II Ia said that Con. Ignatleff,
who has arrived at st. Petersburg and conferred
with the Gar and Prince Gorchakoff. supports
this view. The idea among the pence party
seoms 10 be that the powers in answering the
Russian circular might enable Russia 10 With
draw and await the result Of the Turkish efforts
at reform. by publicly recognizing the sacrifices
which she has made on behalf Of the Eastern
Chrstians.
Mldhat Pasha has arrived at Naples. The
Ho'e announces that hc there received an i'm
portnnt communication from the Sultan. The
hole also says II appears that Midhat Pasha
Will be recalled to Constantiuoplc in conse-
1Yencc Of England's advice. hut It Is not known
whether he will bo reappointed Grand Vizier.
I0utors telegram from Bucharest says 1t =
stated on good authority that the recent reports
that tho Roumanian Ministry ia divided into
two partes-one favoring active cooperation
WIN kussia IN tic oyent OF war. aud the other
Held Tor belligcrcnts-are absolutely false. The
entire Ministry has takOn stops 10 obtain II more
cn.ncious sanction of ROumania's neutrality
and in accord with the country has opposed al
idc1 uf war Oi any combinations likely to affect
existing treaties and the collective guarantee
ol lli powers.
A special despatch from Belgrade TO the Tolit-
ical Correspondence reports that NJ. Chrcstics
has been instructed to draw up definite settle
nicnt ol the 'front.', I question during his stay in
Constaniinoplc. Serviu claims rcciillcation Of
her frontiers on the Drina. Timok, and Ibar
rivers,
In tho House OF Commons this afternoon,
Mr. Gladstone asked the Goycrnments opinion
regarding treaty cngnRcmcnt5; Mr. Gathornc
Hardy. Secretary # State ior Wnr. replied TINT
tho Government did not consider itself FREQ
rom me obligations ot the trcgties OF 1906 and
1871. Ho could not agree that Turkey b., left ii,
those trcatios. II Turkey was bound by them
he openly. loudly. and peremptorily, declared
The rest OF Europe must also he bound hy them.
We do not nj present. he said intend to use ma
draw the sword for her.
Mr. Gladstone. on questioning the Govern
ment today about the treaties. cited the de-
spat.h, Of Lord Derby to Sir Henry Elliott.
dated Sept. 5, 1876. in which the former do
carcd that English sympathy was COM
pletcly. alicnatcd from Turkcy by the
atrocilie. committed; and her Maiesty's
sim nitack. would lind IL practically inn
possible 20 protect Turkey. War between Rus
siu and Turkey would thus place England in "A
humiliating position. ~ II would bring her
sympnhics into direct opposition 10 her treaty
enghgcments.
Mr Gladstone argued tina. Enclands treaty
engagement, did not bind her ~ support Tur
key in any circumstances. He particularly
urged tnat the guaranteeing powers were COM
pletcly freed from their obligations II Turkey
on her part had not fulfilled the expectations OF
reform which she held out at the tlmr the
treaty was signed. He wished to know whether
tho Government now considered them selves
ahsovpi from the obligations whi III Lord Derby
had asserted were binding upon them IN his
rrtcmbrr despatch.
Mr. Hardy demonstrated that none Of the
contracting puwcrS had u right under the
treaty to n, without consulting the others.