New-York tribune., 1877-12-21
rNGL1Nn ND RTSSIA.

At first sight the spectacle presented just au
this .noment by the British Nation Is a llttle
comic. There is nothing new III the contnen-
tai situation to justify this furry of alarm, and
these rumors and menaccs of war. The dlsas-
fer which has overtakcn the Turkish arms has
been long delayed, but it has been clearly
foreseen from the beginning; there has never
been a doubt as TO the final result OF
the war since the Gar fiTst set his
battalions in motion. Neither has there
been any unexpected development OF
political complications. 1t has been perfectly
plain for months that the three emperors acted
in accord IN this matter, aud that when the
critical hour of Turkey came there was no
power in Europe to withstand them. However
mwelcomc the knowledge Of this fact may he
to the English people, 40 British states
men can be surprised by it in this late
stage Of the conflict. After the incident
Of the Berlin memorandum and the futile Con
stantinoplc conference, no one can have been
vyool, ouougb to imagine that the Continental
Powers intended to wait upon the pleasure oi
Great Britain. The foreign policy OF the last
generation is impossible in this; and though
the true greatness of England has 10y no means
dcclmci, herIcIatiyc power in regulating tine al
fairs of Europe has greatly changed. All these
things are, Of course, understood 10y the British
Governments, and we must presume that the
course TO he pursued by England in the con-
tingcncy which has now arrived was calcu-
lated long age. If only the course OF events
on the Danube j, considered, all this excite
ment ought, therefore, to have been discounted.
But we suspect that tde true cause OF the
agitation is the Engli,hmins distruSt OF his
own rulers. No one knows whittier the coun-
trv is drifting, or whittier the Earl of Bcacons-
field wishes to guide il. No one knows from
day TO day whose c0unsols prevail in the Cab
met. No one can be sure that the sensible and
pacific language of Lord Derby Is not con-
nadictcd hy the official course OF other
ministers, who enjoy quite rs much influence
IA Lord Derby, without being blessed with so
much prudence and common sense. That there
are vital differences in the Cabinet ana have
been for more than year, is hardly secret.
If there is not actually an ayOWcd
war-party in the Government, there Is
a faction whose policy would lead inevitably
into war with Russia for the sake of prolonS-
ing the feeble life of an empire which is past
saving at is rot surprising, therefore," said
" society hears alarming stories about antaponis-
" tic coun~cls and imprudont words. Such tales
"are doubtless unfoundcd or exaggerated;
"but the actual condition of things is far from
"bcing without its grave dangers. The appeal
(which the Chanccll1r of the ExchcTuer made
"yc-tcrday at Bourucmouth for the confidence
"of the country would bc responded 10 with
"morc cordiality and unauimity if we knew
"prcciscy in what and i'll whom we are asked
" TO cOniidc."
The early summoning of Parliament, far from
indicating the prevalence OF Warlc counscls
in the Cabinet. appears to us an augu1y of
peace If Lord Bc1consfcld hesItatcs to act
without the support and direction Of parlia
meut, he i not likely 10 cspouse the Turkish
cause with any dangerous ardor. The old time
fear and hatred of Russia seems to have given
way in England to more rational and more
creditabo hatred of the Turk, and it is hardly
conceivable that the English people should con-
stitute themselves, alone Of all the world, the
defenders of the cruel and liccntiouS barbarian.
Ii the Turkish half of the Government has not
yet learned the temper Of the country, Parlia-
mcnt is likely to teach it them without much
loss Of time.