The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-04-27

Turkish victory" This, indeed, is implied
in the statement that it comes from Con-
stantinople, for no report Of military events
could get through that city unless it could
be twisted into that shape. Reports of this
kind must be accepted with caution From
Roumania it is reported that eighty thou
| sand Russians are across the Pruth and are
concentrating at Barboschi, which is the
point where the Roumanian Railway crosses
| the Sereth, near to the junction Of this river
with the Danube. 1t is likely, from present
appearances. that the first battle will occur
not far from that point. It is reported by
one Of the English correspondents that this
| collision may be expected at Tultscha,
! which would imply that the column from
Bolgrad is in motion in that direction.
Already the war has broken down with its
recognized license some lofty pretensions.
One of these was the pride of the statesmen
Of Constantinople, which is always in an
inverse ratio to any occasion for its manifes-
tation. In the tone of their response to the
Cars declaration of war will be observed
notable contrast with their self-assertion in
the recent negotiations. Article of the
Treaty Of Paris provides that ''if disagree
ment should menace the good relations of the
Sublime Porte and any one Of the Powers,
these SHALL before the employment of force,
give an opportunity for the mediation of
the other Powers" Upon this guarantee,
which, taken markedly, might render
impossible oil future wars, Turkey
now calls for protection. The Sultan
makes a pitiful appeal to the laws of Europe
as declared by solemn treaty; an appeal that
is pitiful, not because it demands the pro-
lection Of treaty, which is a regular and
proper course, but because it's demand in
the presence of the movement of armed
forces is in evident contrast with its loudly
expressed defiance ere the appeal to arms
was made. Only few days since, it may
be remembered, the Ottoman government
spurned Indignantly the implication that
there was any ground for the pretence that
Europe should control the destiny of Tur-
key, announced its independence of tutelage
in every form; yet now, ere blow has been
given, it appeals to the protection Of treaty
based entirely upon the theory that Turkey
was altogether dependent upon the will Of
Europe.
It is an illustration Of the ridiculous mis-
calculation Of occasions which characterizes
Turkish craftsmanship that this appeal
which betrays the feebleness of Ottoman
counsels is made at the moment when it can
be Of no advantage to make it, and is made
in ludicrous ignorance of the fact that the
diplomacy of the past year has been merely
one extended opportunity for the media
ton Of the Powers" whose purpose to me-
diate the Sultan vociferously opposed.
1t must prove good news in France that
General Won Moltke has, in an explanatory
speech in the Prussian Parliament, taken
the sting, in great degree, out Of his words
spoken few days since. He declares now
specifically that Germany's policy is ''neccs-
sarily pacific" though this is not to be
construed so strictly as to imply that pacific
intentions will limit " freedom of action" if
any reason tor war should arise. In fact,
this puts German intentions on that COM
mon ground on which is to be found the
policy of all vital States-that their purpose
is to respect the peace and independence
Of their neighbors unless warlike Demon
dangerous form. Perhaps French opinion
would be better satisfied if this ex-
planatory declaration more emphatically
renowned warlike purposes; but to expect
that would, in the circumstances, be scarcely
reasonable If Germany intended formally
y v.o.r OF, srtn 1a1
but she will not recall the words which are
necessary to distinct statement Of that
intention. France had naturally taken the
alarm, and the 'mesurc compcnsdtoire' of
Won Moltke has already become phrase Of
moment in Gallo politics. Public men saw
in that phrase significance of which we
trust it is deprived by the explanation. In
Paris statesmen are pleased to believe that
the Germans were compelled against their
will to relinquish their purposes with re-
gard to France in the late war, and to make
peace when they would have preferred to
further glut their fury. Russia, it
is believed, was then the friend Of
France. In the pursuit of this the
DRY we may see how imagination
assigns the parts in the drama of European
history. Germany is pictured MS insatiatc
and ever eager to fall on France. but ever
restrained by the will of her potent impe-
rial neighbor Consequently the moment
that neighbours hands are tied by great
war of his own Germany regards herself as
freed from the restraint that has prevented
the indulgence Of her hate. and arises ready
to resume the destructive assault on France
that was interrupted by the peace Of Frank
fort In the contemplation of that theory q
''n.esure compensatoire' would be new par
titon of France, and Won Moltkc's words
last spoken render such IN Interpretation
iupoSsible