Smyrna times., 1877-05-16

ituation. G
By the end of April, 1876, it was very {
evident that the excited feeling of the t
Servians and Montenegrins, who were in
pired by the gallant resistance of the Bos-
mans, might force their reigning princes to
DIN in the struggle. On the 9th of May (
the murder of the French and German
Consuls at Salonica, by fanatical Turkish
mob, aroused Europe to the necessity of
action. Five days afterward Prince Gort-
chakoff and Count Andrassy met Prince
at Berlin, and agreed upon what
is called the Berlin Memorandum" 1t
repeated the demands of the Andrassy
Note, but added, that, as the latter had
been accepted by the Porte, its provisions
must be instantly carried into effect, with
satisfactory guarantees, failing which, it |
proposed that the Powers should take |
"such efficacious measures as might be de- |
manded." 1t also stipulated for an imme-
diate armistice Of two months, in order |
that the initial reforms should be carried |
into effect. France and Italy were willing |
to accept the Berlin Memorandum, but
England refused. AS the measure required
the concurrence of the Christian powers of
Europe, it was thus thwarted-and the Tory
party of England eXulted over Lord Derby's
diplomatic triumph! But this was actually
the one golden opportunity, when an
effectual intervention was possible-when
all immediate troubles might have been
adjusted, and the final Eastern War (which
is among the inevitable things) postponed
for number of years.
In less than month after the failure of
the Berlin Memorandum, Bulgaria was the
theater of the most shocking barbarities,
the Sultan was deposed and dead, and Servia
and Montenegro had decided to declare
war against Turkey. The atrocities perpe-
trated by the Turks silenced for time all
considerations of political interest, and
paralyzed the efforts of diplomacy to stay
the spread of war. Russia, thwarted by
| England, no longer hesitated to give secret
aid and encouragement to Servia and Mon
tenegro: England was in no position to
interfere, while half her population was
holding,indignant mass meetings and send
ing help to the Bulgarians; and the other
nations we're content to wait the result of
the Turkish campaign against Servia, which
assured Russias neutrality for a time. The
events of last Summers war will still be
fresh in the memories of our readers. We
need only remind them that Servia's defeat
was evident by the end of August, at which
time an armistice was proposed by England.
Turkey accepted suspension of hostlities,
which lasted until the I'd of October, when
the war was resumed. The intermediate
month had been spent, to no purpose, in
negotiations between Russia, England, Tur-
key, and the other Powers, in regard to a
basis of peace.
The delay brought no success to the Ser
Wan arms. War on one side and diplo-
matte correspondence on the other con-
tinued until the 3lst of October, when
Alexinatz fell, and new suspension OF
hostilities, followed by an armistice of two
months, was brought about.
By this time all the Powers had agreed
upon the plan of conference at Constants
nople. The representatives of Russia, Eng
land, France, Germany, Austria, and Italy
met in that city early in December, anc
continued in session until the 18th of Jan
uary last, when the plan which they unani
mously adopted was presented to Turkey
n c. L. Al,
the Grand Council of the Porte, communi
Gated to the Conference Turkeys rejection
, In substance, the plan was very similar t.
. that of the Andrassy Note and the Berlil
Memorandum. 1t stipulated for equa
E rights and equal protection for the Turkisl
v Christians, necessary reforms in the admin
1 istration of the civil government, an,
n guarantees for their execution. The mem
bers of the Conference left Constantinopl
:, Immediately after their failure: the arm
il stice was prolonged, and Turkey hastene
q to strengthen her position by openin
. negotiations for peace with Servia an
= Montenegro.
. The remaining history is too recent t
l. need repetltlon. One more effort wa
: made to impose the same terms of agree
;. ment upon Turkey. In signing the Pro-
:. tocol, England for the third time, and tn
; other Powers for the fourth time, have r,
;, peated substantially the same demand
- and received the same answer. Russia
,t now carrying out alone the purport of tn
q. somewhat ambiguous clause of the Berli
\ Memorandum, to which both Germany an
- Austria then subscribed. Up to a certai
! point, she has apparently secured herse
= against interference: she is thoroughly pr
- pared, for, knowing the Turkish charactC
:, as the other governments of Europe do no
- - she must have foreseen the present cris
six months ago.-N. Y. Tribune.
III 1.-THE baby has got new tooth, but IL
~ old lady is laid up with a cold in the head
W remarked gentleman to a defeated cand
III date. "What do carer" was the repl
~ "Well," said the gentleman, slowly, "befo
:" the election you used to take me aside AZ
10 ask me how my family was coming on, al
L.. N