New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-02-10
FNGL1ND AND THE EAST.

| The Queens Speech on opening IaTlIh"ch'
is more remarkable for its omissions than its
EXPRESSIONS. The proceedings IN the Eastern
! dif,icu,ty are presented in brief and rather
vague outlines, and the hopes with which that
massage of the speech concludes have sum-
mechanical air which betrays their lnsupstan-
t,al character. Lord BeacOnslield even c0mpei'
his Royal Mistress to say: "The result OF the
Conference has been TO show the existence
"of n general agreement among the european
| Powers. which cannot fail to have material
effect upon the condition and government OF
Turkey" Since the existence of general
agreement lasted just as long as the Confer
ence was in session, and produced no material
effect unOn Turkey during that time, nothing
could be more hollow and unsatisfactory, now
than these words. A permanent agreement
has not been reached, and will not be; the
| failure of the Conference confirms Turkey IN
her present independent course, and It's actlon
does not leave behind it the slightest assur-
ance of peace or reform.
The Blue Book itself, in fact, furnishes a
sharp commentary on. this portion OF the Royal
Speech. Lord Derby, in his instructions 10
the Marquis,Of Salisbury. states that Turkey
il incapable of realizing the reforms, ana
guarantees are necessary. Afterward, LORD
Salisbury, writing from COnstaniinopie, says
that he hOpes for nothing from the C0nstltu-
ton. as the Sultan has the power Of banlshing
or unseating Senators or Deputies. But Tur-
kew has Indignantly rejected the demand for
guarantees and So if the new Constitution is
practically vaueless, how is the . material
"efiect upon the condition and government OF
l. In
spcech and accompanying documents, when
contrasted with each other, furnish the clearest
evidence of the hating and confused manner
in which the Bcaconsiield Government has
acted in this crisis. 1t has neither been frank
nor firm, neither inteligently dealing with
facts nor presenting consistent diplomatic pre-
texts. We may look for an immediate and
powerful opposition in Parliament, and proba-
bly, among the people. There are too many
exposed points in its position to be over
looked. Its attitude, fOr some time past apollo
cetlc, becomes at once defensive, and the ses-
sion now opened is certain to be very excited
and interesting.
The only trustworthy piece of news from
Eastern Europe is the prospect OF peace with
Montenegro. All the reports in regard to the
movements Oh AlsSid anu A"sUiid '''iiiio' -"
considered rs any thing more than floating con-
lecture SO long as Russia acts alone, even to
the extent of engaging in actual war with
Turkey, she Will be watched, intrigued against,
possibly, but not materially hindered by the
other Powers. But an alliance between her
and Austria would change the whole aspect of
the case 1t would provoke instant alarm and
hostility, and would sooner or later shake the
neutrality of the remaining Powers. Austria's
interest, at present, in the attainment of a
speedy peace is not less than Englands. The
first light upon the situation will probably
como from Russia. But, whatever it may be,
the conflict of parties in England provoked
by the Eastern Question, will 20 on.