New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-04-24
THE VAR md ITS ASPECTS.

The war begins, and both parties show that
they are prepared for it, There Is scarcely Il
more adroit chapter of diplomacy in the annals
of modern history than that which Russia has
furnished during the past three, or, we In"y
say, six months. How far the other Powers
have been hoodwinked, or how far they have
dissimulated in the hope of some favorable
turn of events, are features OF the question
which cannot yet be clearly elucidated; hut,
on looking back to the conclusion OF the arm
isticc between Servia and Turkey, we cannot
fail to see that every subsequent phase OF ne
collation. has been suggested and dcXteronsy
used by Russia, to make war inevitable to
delay it until the most convenient season, ard
to secure to herself freedom from interior
ence 1t is equally evident that Turkey alone
has comprehendcd her design. She knew what
her prompt rejection of the plan proposed by
the Conference at COnstantinope involved,
and from that day to this her military prcpa-
rations have been characterized by unfiagSinS
energy. 1t is most likely that, knowing the
power of the interests and passions aroused III
her own population, no other course was left
to her. We must not deny her the virtue OF
a heroic pride.
But, what end shall we forecast for this re-
newal of the old, inevitable struggle between
the Past and the Present, between Asia and
Europe7 If not the last encounter of the two,
it will have much of the character OF final
one 1t may not reverse the history of more
than four centuries ago, and present to us
Sultan Hamid falling like Constantine PaiG-
olOgus before the shattered walls OF Constan-
tinople; but it will mt least decide the tenure
of Mosem rule in Europe. The Turks them
selves feel this, with the true instinct of an
imaginative race the common soldier knows
it as well as the Pasha who commands his di-
vision. Russia will find on the Danube a wall
of fanatcism, no less than of fire and steel.
The recent successes in Scrvia, and the rccOl-
Iections of 1853 and "a, will contribute still
further to inspire the Turkish armies: they
will fight fiercely and stubbOrnly, and it will
REQUIRE equal courage and very skillfdl gen
eralship to break their line of defense. What
other resources Russia may have. iii store, be-
sides the direct advance through ROumanla and
the corresponding one against Armenia, we do
not vet know If she is able to throw strong
force on the Blacb-Sea shore of Turkey,
in Che neighborhOOd of Narna, to operate in
the rear of the hne of the Danube, she might
speedily open the way for her armies into Bull
gara. 1t is not probable, however, that this
movement will be attempted at the outset.
We may rather expect fierce battles in the
ncichborhood of Silistria, Rustchuk and Wild
din, and a temporary check to the Russian
advance.
Other interests wait in the background.
Bosnia and MontencgrQ.Eill assurcdly continue
their warfare: Greece 4 weighing the chances
ard will make use Of good opportunity; and
Egypt, Tiipoli, and Tunis may either assist
for the sake of later profit or find it better to
shake of their irksOmc vasSalage. Mach de-
ponds upon the amount of purely religious en-
thusiaSm which the war may excite throughout
the Moslem world. The Commander of tie
Faithful has rarely been popular as a secular
lord, and it will be q question, from Carthage
TO the Euphrates, whether the Faith in Europe
or his political supremacy in Africa and Asia
is of The greater consequence. These are
features of the conflict which will BE developed
as it goes on. Oar expectation of the results
Of the war, briefly stated, is this: that after n
desperate resistance, Turkey will bc forced to
succumb; that Russia will content herself with
a slice of Armenia, new harbOr on the south
ein shore of the Black Sea- and her former
European boundary, including one mouth of
the Danube; that she viii lay no hand on
ConstantinOple, stop short of any proceeding
which might provoke the armed intervention
OF other Powers, and leave Turkey Il phantom
existence in Europe for few years longer.
But the influences which the war will set in
motion are mcalculable. and it is possible that