Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1877-05-10

81 Ioilowcd, Abdul Azlz being
dethroned and Murad v. installed
by the softas; and the assassination
of Rachid Pasha and Hassein Am
Pasha June Is left two &C the revo-
lutionary party at the head Of Turk
ish affairs, Mehemens Ruc',li
Pasha serving as the Lsphen be.
tween the absolutism of <sbd.,l Aziz
and the liberalism of Midhat Pacha
July 1st Prince Milan of Servia,
long pressed by the war party, de.
clared war against Turkey, having
formed an alliance with Montenegro
and being materially assisted by
Russia. The Turks threshei him
soundly, and September l admins
tered the decisive defeat before
Alexinatz, after which Prince Milan
begged an armistice. Abdul Hamid
H. had just replaced the weak
minded Murad v. on the throne.
Turkey, disheartened by the
Anti Ottoman Gladstone excite
ment in England, offered an armis-
tic which Servia, from the same
reason, declined The powers
managed to have it proclaimed.
though Tchornayef opposed it and
made his army pro ;lailn Milan
King. Russia, her proposition for
a joint occupation having been
refused, demanded months arms.
tic. The Porte offered one for six
months. Hostilities were re-begun.
and despite Tchereayeff's skill and
the gallantry of the Russian officers
and volunteers who did all the
fighting for Servia, the Turks took
Djunnis and Alexinatz. After this
an armistice of six weeks had been
practically arranged between Tur,
key and the other powers, when
Russia inteIected (probably at the
appeal OF MilaW her ultimatum,
and the discussions ending in the
abortire conference of Constants
nople were precipitated. There was
a diplomatic cuel between England
and Russia in which Gortschakoff
decidedly remainded the victor
EEgland's position WAS that the
treaties of 1856 and 1871 (that
after the Crimean war amending it)
continued to be the basis OF her
policy, and that, if it were ncces
sary, she would sec them respccted;
the Gar maintained that he had no
sinister intention towards Constan-
tiuople, but wished guarantees for
the Eastern Christians, beirg pre-
pared to act alCne, even in arms to
secure these. Austria's position
WAS one of neutrality SO long as her
interests should rot he menaccd by
the creation Of new autonomous
states. Italy and France took no
direct interest in the dispute. Ger
many declared her Willingness to
let Russia act within the bounds OF
non interference with Prussian or
German iterests.
We recapitulate the positions of
the great powers at the conference
of Constantinople as of interest
now. The conference ended in the
powers agreeing upon recommended
tions which the Sultan rejected as
wholly incompatible with his digni-
ty or even existence. He, however.
ordered the analogous reforms.
prepared a constitution and calico
parliament. After this it became
only question of time when wal
would break out, Russia complains
ing that Turkey either could not or
would not carry out her reforms
for the benefit of her Christian
subjects; Turkey said Russia was
fonenting insurrection in her pro
vinces and making pretexts for in
ilni-2l interference. Both com
plants were probably well founded
The moral difference in the value
Of the complaints of the two powers,
however, is considerable and obvi
ous. Russia complains of what she
does not believe that Turkey will
do. Turkey of what she believes
that Russia has done. Russia goes
to war to compel the TIrks to be
have towards their Christian sub
jects as Rus;a thinks Turkey ought
to behave. Turkey goes to war to
confate the right OF Russia or any
other power to administer her gov
ernment for her within her own
domipions.
THE STRENGTH OF THE TWO.
Russia goes into the war with
population OF 36, $50, 200, decep-
tive total, of course, since it in
c.udes the Kirghiz, Orientals, etc,
that, so far from contributing to the
nations strength in case of war,
form an clement of weakness, de-
manGing care or even represslon.-
Her debt is placed at 81, ,5O4, 4,0OO,-
900. Her finances have had to be
nnrsed for several years back, and
in the event of a war, npon so
slender a balance does her budget