The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-02-01

The campaign of DIEBTTsCH in 1s2s2o, under
taken under far more favorable conditions
than those at present existing does not fur
nsh an encouraging retrospect. Crossing
tho Danube with hundred thousand
mon. he only succeeded in rcscuing twelve
thousand mon when he crawlcd away
from Adranoplc n few months later
having with marvellous dcxtcrty and au-
dacty cajolcd the Turks into making peace
with him, when they might, instead, have
annihilated this miserable remnant of his
force. Count MoLrKE, who accompanied
the expedition, thus sums up the situation:
"DIEBITsCH arrived in the very heart OF
hostile empire followed by the shadow of an
army. TO his sagacous bold, and prudent
conduct Russia owes the fortunate issue OF u
campaign which would have led to far differ
cnt results IL the Sultan and the European
diplomatists had been at all aware Of the
real state Of things"
Can Russia hope for another similar
stroke Of good fortune? This is the qucs-
tlon which the peace party are doubtless
anxiously considering. Tho Turkish fleet
Is far more powerful now than in those days,
the Turkish armies more numerous, better
drilled, and better equipped, and the knowl-
edge of the art Of war s, in proportion, far
more advanced. Still, If Austria will con-
sent TO remain neutral, the ultimate sue
coss will probably rest with the Russians,
though the struggle may be long
and doubtful. II Austria openly de-
clarcs her refusal to consent to any
such hostile operation against Turkey,
which ii is clearly her policy to do, then we
do not see how Russia can possibly under
take the war with any chance OF success.
The whole of her flank from the Pruth to the
Danube would he open TO the Austrian army,
aud we have the published opinion Of the
Russian General, FADIErF, that any cam
paign through the prncipaltics under these
conditions would Toe, from a military point
Of view, out of the question. There is,
however, still the possibility that Prince
BISMARCK, who has his own reasons for de-
string to see war between Russia and Tur-
key. might hold Austria in check; but the
knowledge that Prince BISMARCK de-
sircs IL is one Of the strongest reasons why
Russia Is now hcsitating.
There is In fact, only one power which can
pull her old enemy out Of the scrape, and
that is England. The whole efforts of Rus
sian diplomacy will now bc directed on Eng
land. and We shall be very much sur
priscd IL those Russian journals whose
usual stock in trade consists Of vio-
lent abuse Of England do not now pour
forth the most mclliluous strains. We
shall hear of the "nohle British" " the
champions Of oppressed races, who can gem
crously forget their old animositics when
the sacred cause OF humanity appeals To
their lofty scn-ibiltics," and 50 ON, and the
British public will positively bc fools enough
tn believe it. There are already signs of u
Russian propaganda in England in this di-
rcction, and when Parliament meets, the Lib
eral party. which twenty years ago
led Great Britain into war against Rus
sia. in alliance with Turkey in the interests
Of Justice, will insist that the same country
ought to go to war against Turkey in
alliance with Russia in the interests OF
humanity. Such prediction may seem
too monStrous to prove true but it is the
/ logical sequence Of the policy Of the masses
by which England is now governed There
is, however, still the possibility that the
present Government may have sufficient
political support " enable them successfully
| To resist il.