The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-02-16

The situation In Turkey The Policy of
the "Great Powers "-Russia's Mena cling
Attitude Toward Turkey.
From tho Chicago Tribune.l
Once more the situation in European
Turkey grows warlike, and what seemed,
Immediately after the adjournment of the
conference, to be back-down upon the
part Of Russia, now appears to be a mas
terly Faabian policy to gain time, which
meanwhile will prove almost as disas-
trous to the Turks as an active campaign,
besides being ruinously expensive. The
announcement that Prince Gortschakoff
had retired, or was about 10 retire, from
the Russian Cabinet seems 10 have been
entirely unfounded, as he has Just issued
very significant circular to all the guar
anteeing powers, which, in plain En-
glish, asks them what they are going to
do about the Porte's refusal to accede to
their unanimous demand. In sending
this circular Russia has manifested an
unexpected Difference TO the other pow
ers-unexpected because in the Moscow
speech the Gar boldly declared that
Russia was prepared to act in her
own behalf, and would do 80 if the Porte
refused the ultimatum. Prince Gorts-
chakoff, however, now takes the ground
that as Europe, by its united diplomatic
action, has shown an interest in the East
ern question, and desire for the main
tenance of peace, and has recognized it
to be duty as well as right to cooperate
for that end, the Russian Government
can do no less than ascertain what atti-
tude they are likely 10 observe toward
Turkey before it makes its own decision.
Undoubtedly the only apprehension
felt by Russia is with regard to the pos
sible course of Austria. England has
over and over again affirmed her deter
mination to merely hold herself free to
guard her own interests. She has
washed her hands of the Turk. If there
was any indignity in the Porte's refusal
of the propositions of the conference,
the weight of that indignity falls upon
England as England proposed the con-
ference, and drew up the basis upon
which it was to meet, after the Berlin
memorandum had been rejected. There
is no danger therefore that England will
interfere in Russo Turkish war, as she
did in the days of the Crimea, unless
her own interests should be exposed.
Germany is DESTROYS of war, first, be-
cause of her own natural hatred of the
Turk, and second, because it would
bring about general confusion, in
which the far-sighted Bismarck would
have an opportunity OF carrying out his
Interior designs with reference to France
and Holland, and possibly the Germanic
provinces of Austria, and it is with this
end in view that Germany is continually
urging Austria to join hands with Rus
STA. The declaration of the AUgemeine
Zeitung, that "this understanding
should not only extend to what is not to
be done, but to what is to be-" and that
81 the allied Emperors must prepare res
olutions to show that three mighty
sovereigns have not joined hands only
for theoretical speculations and
festive meetings, reflects the tone of the
Russia is already in negotiations, COM
menced Immediately after the close of
the conference by Gen. Ignatieff, who re.
turned home by way of Vienna. Austria
has 5000, 900 of the Sclavic race sym.
pathizing with their kinsmen in Turkey,
but her Hungarian and German infiu-
ences are opposed to the Russians.
Whether these influences will be resisted
by the Government remains to be seen,
but it is not improbable that an alliance
with Russia, with the certainty of Turk
ish spoils for her reward, will be deemed
preferable to the bitter hostility of Rus
STA, the GOODNESS of Germany, and the alb
solute impossibility that she can much
longer help prop up the rotten empire
of Turkey.
Pending the answers of the powers,
Russia is pursuing policy tending to
still further exhaust the Turks. Hold
ing powerful army on her borders near
the Pruth, and ready to cross it at any
time, the Turks are compelled to keep q
large army in the field, and to strain all
their resources. 1t is exhausting their
money, weakening their sinews of war,
and keeping them in most demoraliz.
ing state of doubt and uncertainty
Meanwhile it adds to the Turkish depres.
sion that the powers have expressed nj
unfavorable opinion of the guarantees
demanded of Servia, and that Servia her
self has rejected them.