Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-04-25
! u q u - L A 4,
From the New York Times.
Will the European Powers Inter-
fere ?

mowers are drawn into it. The country.
external TO the two combatants, most in
terested in the struggle is unquestonably
Austro-Hungary. The war will be main
ly fought out on the banks OF the river
which flows through her territory, and
whose free navigation is Indispensable to
her. A network, also, OF her railroads
concentrates on the Lower Danube, and
forms the channels of an important future
Oriental trade. Under civilized and
progressive Government in Turkey in Eu-
rope, there would develop vast COM
merce between Vienna and Constantine
pie. SO close is the Austrian territory to
the scene of war that the most practicable
line of advance toward Constantinople
for the Russians would be impossible.
with Austria even in a doubtful position
of amitv. The attack of the Russians on
the Turks will no doubt be first made in
the region of the Danube. near its mouth;
but. even supposing them victorious here.
and in such force as to be able to leave
Silistria, Varna and Shumla untaken in
their rear, they could not easily cross the
Balkans in this region with no fleet to sup
port them. On the other hand, an adj
vance through Servia, and over the Dan
ube further up, would carry them to the
rear of all these fortresses and over passes
not well fortified. and bring them out on
a good agricultural country, able to feed
considerable body of men, with no obsta-
Gle between the advancing columns and
Adrianople. This approach would be
simply impossible with an Austrian hos
tile force on the flank in the Carpathians,
which could at any moment cut the Rus
sian line of communications.
The diplomatic position of Austro-lIun-
gary, then, becomes of vital Importance
to Russia. And here, as in all this ques-
iion, there are diverse influences, affect
ing the Governments in different ways.
The Magyars, ever since the friendly treat
ment of the Hungarian refugees in lS49,
have been in cordial relations with the
Turks. while the part which the Gar
took in their struggle for independ-
ence has embittered them against Russia.
In their own Parliament. moreover, they
are in incessant struggle with the Slavonic
Deputies, and the feud between the races
is ancient and bitter. The German and
commercial element, also, In Austria
would never consent to an entire Slavonic
and Muscovite control of the Lower Dan
ube. These are the impulses to bring
Hungary in on the side of Turkey.
But, on the other hand, millions OF Aus
trian Slavonians are in profound sympa.
thy with this Slavonic struggle, and are
eager to assist Servia and Russia. An al
lance of Austria with Turkey would raise
an outbreak among this important element
of the Empire. Then, the Emperor and
the German portion of the Empire, are
doubtless not averse to balance the over
weening of the Magyars by the Slavon-
ians in the Austrian State, and are hardly
likely TO permit one party to entirely weigh
down the other Besides, both Austria
and Hungary are very poor. struggling
under deprecated currency and burden
some taxes. War would be very unpop-
nlar and vexations. We incline, then, to
the opinion that Austria will not interfere,
unless it perceives probability of Rus
sia's gaining permanent foothold over
Turkey in Europe. Should the result of
the war be an Independent confederate
Slavonic State at the mouths of the Dan
ube, and extending even to the Bospho-
rus, we doubt if the Cabinet of Vienna
would make serious resistance.
A factor almost Of equal Importance in
the settlement of the problem is Germany
1t can hardly be doubted that the Car
would not have plunged so deeply into
the dangers of this struggle unless he had
had some understanding with Prince Bis
marck. HIS own relationship with the
German Emperor makes it more probable.
The obvious interests of Germany are
toward neutrality all that disarms or oc-
cupies the only ally France could possibly
expect is in her favor. The only thing
which could possibly draw her into the
war would be the danger of Russia's oc-
cupying permanently the mouths of the
Danube but of this. there is little chance.
AS TO the other powers interested, it is
clear that Italy's sympathies are with the
Russians. while those of France are with
her old ally, Turkey, but neither country
could commit the incredible folly of join
ing in such distant war. Great Britain
will certainly not he drawn in to support
Turkey, in the present feeling Of her pee
pie. She will evidently preserve strict
neutrality. Should, however, Russia be
Unexpectedly successful, and be able to
lay siege 10 Constantinople, it is then al
together probable that a coalition of Eu-
ropean powers might be formed to defend
the Turkish capital. But it is "a long
fight to" Constantinople. There must be
many bloody battle and tons of than