The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-05-23
The Eastern War.

The New York Graphic expresses
itself follows concerning the war be-
tween Russia and Turkey, and its ultl-
mate result:
The E ,stern war may be said to have
actually begun. The Russian embassy
have quit Constantnople, removing the
Russian arms from the doors of their
Offices. The car has reviewed one
corps of his army Mt Umerinka and Bir-
sala, and his address to the soldiers and
officers showed that in his view hostill-
ties have already virtually commenced.
\ detachment of Russian soldiers is re-
ported to have reached Bucharest, which
is two hundred and fifty miles from the
mouth of the Pruth and nearly five hun
drcd from kischenetf. If this is the fact
Russia has shown rs much energy III
preparing for hostilitics as statecraft in
conducting negotiations; and while she
has amused Europe with diplomatic
oyertures aud toyed with the porte by
offering terms that could not be accept
cd, she has been putting her armies in
fighting trim and getting them into posi-
tiOns to strike the most powerful blows
the moment war is declared. Turkey is
in as good fighting condition rs she can
be. Her troops have been kept under
arms in anticipation of hostilltics since
the close Of last summers successful
campaign, and the victories they won i'll
Servia aud Bulgaria incite their martial
artlor. 1t is reported that 10000 Cir
cassians are all ready to be poured upon
Roumania IL case that province deter
mines to remain neutral; which means
that the atrocities perpetrated last sum-
mer in Bulgaria are to be repeated on Il
larger scale, unless Russia is able to pro-
tect her ally. The Turks will doubtless
fight with fanatical determination and
persistencv. They have everything at
stake. 1t is life and death struggle
with them. It will surprise no one if
they gain decided advantages in the be-
ginning OF the struggle. But the con-
test is too unequal to make its ultimate
issue doubtful. Tt is eight millions
against eighty; and while the eighty are
united under one head, with powerful
organization, and the immense backing
which the greatest empire in the world
can give, the eight are divided, virtually
resourccless, with no credit abroad, and
no government tlnt. they can respect or
depend upon. Russia has managed the
diplomatic rrel;minalics to the contest
with so much ingenious address that it
will he difficult for any European power
save Austria to interfere, and the inter-
ference Of Austria will be at the most for
the protection of her allies.
Unless England comes to the assist
ance of Turkey she must be driven to
the wall, and Mr.. Ledyard has informed
the porte that it can expect no help from
England. Indeed, England has nothing
to gain by keeping the Turk in Europe
one day longer. Constantinople is not
necessary for the protection of the Brit
ish empire in the East. The Suez canal
makes the possession of Egypt a thou
sand times more important to England
than the whole Of Turkey could possibly
be. But Russia will not be likely to ex-
cite Enslund's jealousy too much, and
will stop short the goal of her ambition.
Alexander is in no hurry to water his
horse in the Bosphorus.