, 1877-06-09

1IIDOI u n " AASACS AAHOi Az
Daily Telegraph, indeed, reports the fail
ure Of a Russian attempt to cross at REM,
and the breaking-down Of a pontoon
bridge by Turkish artillery and gunboats,
with heavy loss of Russian lives and many
prisoners. But this report is not yet
confirmed. The Russians have not yet
secured any st'ong position on the Turk
ish side Of the Danube, though they have
crossed in small parties in the neighbour
hood Of Galatz, aud skirmished up to the
Turkish position at Ma,chin. The march
through Roumania is still going on, and
more than forty thousand Russians are
said to have passed through Bucharest
towards the Danube. The Roumanians
and Iuks have been bomLarding each
other between Kalalat and Widdin, but
the main crossing will probably take place
near Eiconolis. In Asia, neither Kars nor
Batoum YET taken, though both appear
TO tie Immediately threatened ; the strong
place q H4yazid seems to be as yet tho
only gain OF the Russian arms there.
The annexation Of he Tfansvaal to the
British domirions in South Africa has
been announced this week in q Telegram
from Sir Theophilus Shepstoue, and the
Government, though without official verb
foaliou Of lie news, have declared their
5e.iet that it is probably trustworthy.
Mr., Gladstone and Mr.. Courtney both made
the mistake Of assai!iog the Government
in their speeches on the Eastern Ones ion
for this act, as if it were u stroke Of rash
aud dang rous ambition. That is not
in the least like Lord Carn8rvon, and
we feel very little doubt, locking 10 his
wise and cautious policy hitherto in South
Africa, that this ANNEXATION Will prove 10
have been a prompt aad courageous act,
securing the British duminions from the
dagger Of a most threatening coufagra
tior, and saving the Beers, even though
it DO somewhat against their own will,
trom The consequences of their own folly.
These premature judgments are never
safe /; and are somewhat apt to recoll, like
the boomerang, on the hand which dis
charged them.
Lord Derby has replied to Prince
Gorlschako1's Circular il language very
hostile TO Russia, and very apologize on
behalf Of Turkey. He points out to
Pti cs Gortschakof that the Protocol
signed at London was not urged upon
Turkey, and her adhesion to it not asked
that the protest which she %unfortu-
nate'y" made against expressions in ii
which seemed to the Porte 10 Imply an
encfoachmen; on the SuitAn's sovereignty
and independence, " being accompanied %
it WIS, by more promises TO reform,
Primes Gortschakoff was not justi6e1 in
saying thar that protest removed call
hope OF Difference OF its part to the
wishes and advice Of Europe, and all
security tor lie application Of the suggest.
cd reforms " Nor DO The Government
admit thar tlo terms Of lie Turkish Note
Z" necessarily precIuded the possibility Of
the conclusion Of peace with Montenegro,
or the arrangement Of mutual disarma-
ment her Majesty's Government still
believe that with patience and moderation
on both sides, tn SO objects might net
improbabiy have been attained. Lord
Detby also censu:es Russia for massing
troops on the Pruth before the Conference,
and so presenting q material obstnclr to
internal publication and REFORM. The
invasion, he hints, will make matters still
worse. Nay, the course on which the