, 1877-12-15
PROSPECTS OF THE A

The strange story of the Armenian com.
paign will perhaps be found to foreshadow the
whole course of the war. AT first the predic.
ton Of Russian success were extravaganza. part.
ly because most people forgot how long
Turkey had held her ground in her past con-
tests with her hereditary enemy, and partly
because a belli ,erent section of society found
it covcnient to paint the prospects of the Poste'
in the darkest colours. But the Russians
themselves showed that they had no such de
lusions by the care with which they made
their preparations for crossing the Danube
and they did not become reckless until they
were thrown off their guard by the unaccoun-
table ease with which they crossed tho Bal
kans. Then came their long period Of bad
fortune. The Turks showed that they had
lost none of their old %valonr, and the breech-
loader terribly increased their we'll known
power of fighting behind ntrenohments.
It was at once hastily concluded that the
Russians would be defeated, and perhaps
driven across the Danube. From CONSTANT
NOBLE came vaunts that the Sultan would not
conclude peace so long as a single invader re.
NAMED in Bulgaria. But a very little refec-
tiop would have suf1ced to show that the Rus
SLAMS would win in the end if they cared TO
pay the requisite prioe. Russia can draw from
a vastly creator population. If poor compared
with the other great European States, she has
a boundless store of wealth compared with
Turkey and she has the strength Of = superior
civilization. Already, indeed, Turkey shows
ominous signs of exhaustion. Montenegro
would not have bean allowed tD undo all the
hard won victories Of Mehemet Ali apd Sulei
man if the Porte could have spared any men
and the series of Russian victories won on the
road from Plevna TO OrChanis sng-
gests that Chefket Pasha's Amy ia smaller
than it was supposed tn be. Yet the Asiatic
Provinces. the great recruiting ground Of the
Empire, seem to have been stripped of meu
to make good the waste in Europe. On the
Otber band, no doubt, the Porte has some real
advantages. It's very barbarism gives it a
Q ,rtain power Of endurance. 1t has little
and few manufactures it hes no
great network of railways it he's to fear tho
destruction of no splendid towns. A long
and destructive war would not destroy the
very implements of civilization. as II
would do 10 France or England. Turkish so.
ciety is kept together by the primitive ties
of agriculture and the rude simplicity
of The a my. M invader can take away thu
riches of the Bulgarian soil or the martial
qualities of the Ottoman race. II great tracts
of country should be laid waste and thousands
of people ruined, q couple of harvestS would
hide the traces OF distinctions. Nor has the
Porte to think of its credit on the Exchanges
of Europe, for it has none. 1t draws a certain
strength from its franz dishonesty Turkey
has scarcely a future in the European sense Of
tho word. But Russia cannot dismiss the
Thought EOf a great future, which might be
blighted by a reckless expenditure Of Ter trea'
eure or her manhood. That thought, there can
be little doubt. would have kept her in a sta!s
of peace if she lao clearly seen the cost Of a
war with Turkey before she allowed an adven-
tnrous diplomacy to tempt her into an attitude
of defaUoe. Still, her resources are 50 much
greats r than those of her opponent that she
shows no present signs of exhaustion Times