The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-02-01
Russia's Great Embarrassment.

There can be little doubt that the Turks
now heartily regret ever having yielded to
the pressure Of England in granting an ar
mstice to the Scrvans two months ago
when Gen. IGNATIEFF sent In the Russian
utimatum 1t has since become evident
that a violent rupture Of diplomatic ncgo-
tiations on the pa 3 4 the Russian embas-
sador at that period would have led to no
other result except that Of exhibiting more
clearly, If possible, the utter weakness Of
Russias military organization amt the inn
potence of that power to carry out its
threats.
At that Vine tho Turkish army could
have marched VIGOROUSLY and unmo-
Tested 10 Belgrade. That fortress, to-
gethcr with the whole line of the Danube
would have been in the hands Of the Turks,
who could have dictated their own terms of
peace with Scryia instead Of having To- renew
negotiations under the present less favor
able circumstances There would have been
no question Of conccdng territory 10 Monte
negro, for sufficient force could have been
diverted there after the conquest of SerNia to
subdue those hardy mOuntaincer- and Tur-
key would now have been far more advan-
tageously situated, both from political and
strategic point Of view. to prepare for the
evcntuality of a war with Russia. Success
would have rendered her troops more conf
dent, her prestige, which the result Of the
conference has already increased through
out the East would have been stiil NOR"
decidedly augmented. and the Govern
ment would have been strengthened by
a more absolute confidence on the
part Of the population than it now
Possesses. In default Of the military
triumph which would have resulted from
this more daring course, they must now rest
satisfied with the diplomatic victory they
have achieved. and lose no time in preparing
for the war which may bee postponed, tut
can hardly BE- aNortcd.
The Car has been 80 fatally COM
promised not morly hy M. warlike
uttcranccs, but by his act, that, sooner
or later, he must make them good.
or the consequences both at hnm" ami
abroad will he disastrous to his Govoiu-
ment AT homo retreat from the mill
tary attitude which he has adopted would
encourage the political societies which
are now paralyzing his action. # Is evil
dent that a large class OF the population
of Russia have been using the Pan-Sla-
vonic crusade 10 further their own political
aspirations. The abandonment ON the pa 1T
Of the Government of the championship,
which IL has ass umcd, of the SlaNs out of Rus
STA, might lead to revolution of the Slav.
within the empire; while the newly annexed
Mohammedan populations in Central Asia,
finding that the Car, after announce
Ing his intention Of making war
against their spiritual head, has been
obliged to abandon that design on account
ofthe utter disOrganzation Of his own army,
will be encouraged to cOnspirc against h-
authority. Abroad, especially in the capt.
tails Of Austria and Germany, there will be-
an immediate diminution Of Russian in
fucncc in all questions affecting the Euro
pean balance Of power, and combinations
may result thcreflom by no means agree
able TO Russian self-love. We may be sure
that 50 favorable an occasion for hui
initiating the one power In Europe
which Germany has the best reason tOdread,
will not be- lost sight Of by Prince BISMARCK
while Austria will once more breathe freely
on finding the pan-Slavonic incubus under
which she has been laDOrng, 50 materially
lightcned.
Taking these facts into consideration
W. can quite understand why there
should be a very powerful war party in Rus
fia who are prepared rather to take the
chances Of military disaster than of politl-
cal Ggd'Ltssomom abroad and of internal
CONFUSION The position is a most serious
and embarrassing one, and we are not sur
prised at the agitation 10 which it Is giving
rise In st. Petersburg. For, if the dangers
OF a peace policy are great, the peris of a
rampliun nrniuet Turkey undor ovist ina