The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-03-11
BIfAT rs GCNNG ON IN EUROPE


rope for his health, is. 1t now appears. travel
ling with. possibly. the most important mission
entrusted to any diplomatist in the course Of
this crisis. He has TO soc everybody and 70
settle everything. His pilgrimage is not unlike
that OF old Theirs during the Franco-G German
war. Though II is u conversational tour rather
than u formal diplomatic mission. it may prove
more important in its results than any amount
OF memorandums. notes. and conferences.
The one thing evident is that Russia does not
caro- TO fight. provided she can come out of the
ENHANCEMENT without losing her dignity. Tho
almost desperate condition of her finances and
the serious troubles she las with revolutionary
clements at home. mako war anything but de-
sirdlc. But national feelings and ideas have
carried the Gar too far and. though they have
considerably cooled down of late. he cannot
afford to back out without the show of some
gain obtained. II the still withheld rcply OF tho
European Powers to Prince Gorchakoff's crcu-
lar note is couchcd in particularly compliments
AIRY terms; II 1t Is acknowledged that l,ussia's
motives Of action were disintorostcd and unsclf-
ish, and that the forthcoming reforms in Turkey
are mainly tho result Of her efforts and militia
tive in the matter. the Cabinet Of St. Petersburg
will be thoroughly satisfied And from the in
formation received during the week. it does not
seem unlikely that the collective answer Of the
European powers will contain some such rccog-
milton. The motive Of Gen. Ignatcns mission
appears TO be the desire Of Russia that some
thing should be added to that note which would
make another discussion of Joint European ac-
ton possible. Ho argues that Russia IL per-
fcctly willing TO observe the stipulatons Of the
trcnty OF 1886. provided Turkey is committed 10
the same. and 10 carry out the reforms which
she solcmnly promised twenty years ngo. lie
and the journals through which the russian
Government speak make rather interesting
comparison between the Russian diplomatic
notes OF nearly II quarter of n century ago and
those Of to-day. These documents arc sub
stantially identical. though their tone in many
cases is different.
Should Cen. Ignatcfrs mission prove sue
cess. lie will probably rise 10 the highest dplO-
matte office of the empire. lie had shown skill
only in Oriental diplomacy. ana it was rumored
that Count Schouvalofr. who il his senior. and
who has had much more experience in general
European diplomacy. would take Prince Cor
chakoirs place. But il seems that Gen. Igna-
ticn has risen rapidly in the Cars favor. and
II not unlikely to become the Minister OF For
eign Affairs. should war be successfully avoided
without compromising the dignity OF Russia.
Count Schouvaion. on the other hand is an
intimate friend of the Car. They were play
mates together. and Alexander is naturally re-
la .tant TO offend him by showing greater appro-
clinton of Gen. lgnntcns ability. A compro-
mis-" seems 10 have been found in the person If
Count Naouicn, formerly Minister OF the Into
ror. This would certainly bc the best choice.
for Count Nalo,urn is II born diplomatis' and Of
a culture quito uncommon among Russian
statesmen. The drawback is. that he IL too
much Of "A burcaurrat and has naughty tenn
per. which cetrangcs people from him. and has
more than once caused his falling into dsfavor
even with the Car himself. In all other re-
spccts he Is much more nt for the post of the
chief of the Foreign Onire than either Count
Schouvalon or Gen. l,;naticif. both Of whom
were brought up rs soldiers. not IA diplo-
matists. Gen. Ignatier il an officer Of the
General Staff while Count Schouvalon is an
officer Of the Horse Guards.
The Conference and its results have naturally
been IN" chief topics Of diicu-~ion in the dipo-
matte circles OF Europe for the last two months,
and views begin now to be expressed which
few people had had the courage 90 entertain at
the outstart. There seem to be diplomatists Of
cynical turn OF mind. who argue that instead
of any attempt being made to prevent war be-
tween Russia and Turkey. 1t should have been
encouraged. They maintain that 1t would have
revived business now dormant all over Europe.
and that such a conflict. instead Of being loss
to the cause OF civilization. would have proved
positive gain. provided the two powers had been
rft 10 fight 1t out alone without any other Euro
pean power interfering in the matter. They
say that it is perfectly immatcrial to
the world outside whether Car or Sultan rules
in the northern provinces of the Balkan penin-
sule. and that hold on the Bosphorus could
never b" obtained 10y Russia in any event. The
European powers. combined. would always
have ample means to limit Russias advance in
lluf Al lf.a,s fl....
that calamities teach and train nations ~ they
do individuals. and that war between these
two half-cNiliz'd countries would have done a
deal Of good a. both Of them. The fact that Rus
sia has made an immense progress since the
disasters If the Crimcnn war l. adduccd as one
oi the best proofs If this not very charitable,
yet not unpausihle theory.
How utterly the public feeling OF the world is
opposed 10 any 81 Ii views can be seen on all
sides. Every SYMPTOM indicative Of pence is
seized with avidity. Tho other day NJ Oubril
the Russian Minister at Berlin, dined with tho
Turkih- Mnistcr nj the same court and the
news was telcgraphcd all over the world as Il
sure sign of rdpprochement between the two
powers Here in New York we SEQ Ari-tarchi
Boy and VI. 'hichkin very frequently dining
together at Delmonico's; yet W. never think of
putting any diplomatic Interpretation on the
Tact. or cabling II across the ocean.
Outside If desultory and frequently unirust-
worthy Information, with regard t. this que--
tion Of pea 'o or war, there has been hut very
little noWs from Europe this week. Life So, ms
10 bee dormant all over the world. Even things
which have substantial practical interest Ito
not soon To attract peoples attention Among
these may be cited the collapse OF tie ST. Gotharl
tunnel business
At the time Of the conclusion of the CONNER
cih treaty between Italy and Germany ON
the eve Of New Years Day. 1869. and on
the morrow Of the day when Bismarck Lad
assured the unity of Germany, an arrnn cement
was entered upon between the Italian and the
German Governments to connect the two coun-
tries 10y direct railroad the u-r Of which could
at ANY tim" be made exclusive 10 them. 4 con. |
f. rene" Of Delegates from Italy, GERMANY. and
Switzerland assembled in $ ptcmbrr, 1869. and
a treaty WIS agreed upon establishing tho ST. |
Golhard Railroad Society. and donninl, the re- !
lAlions in which the respective contracting unr-
ties stood To il. The original cstim;,t, uf tho !
engineers of the three cOuntrr's for H." whnh, |
road tunnel included. was not to exceed i3i.-
Oooono. Toward that sum Italy WAS Ia contrib.
ute S1.oooopO. Germany s20loOOn. swift rlnnd