Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1877-04-25
The Turkish Decision.

Turkey REJECTS the protocol M alShi'
fed and decorous terms, which would
be impressive if they contained the
whole statement of the case. "Turk-
ey feels that she is now contending
for her existence" which is true, and
demands certain degree ofsympathy,
for very nation has right TO show
whether it is worthy to live. 1t is
long question, however, which is now
brought to the verge OF the arbltra-
ment by arms, and it is undenlable
that for nearly half q century the con
duct of the turks has been snch-so
ruthless in the treatment Of their sub
iects, so out Of accord with the prlncl-
pies of the civilized world and defiant
of the public sentiment Of the age
that it has been standing inquiry
whether these Turks ought to be al
lowed to live as rulers in Europe any
longer Their religion, which should
be the best part OF them, makes them
incapable of government in the sense
in which it is understood by Christian
nations. This is the reason why the
European Powers have felt obliged to
interfere in the manner complained OF
by the Porte, and this is why the dis
agreement passed over from the late
conference to the protocol now seems
hopeless of settlement except by the
shock of war
1t way not possibly come at once,
because Russia, upon whom the init,
atiye devolves, has many thing to see
to before she can safely take the field.
Prince Gortschakof is said to be pre-
pairing circluar to the great Powers,
assuring them that Russia intends to
make no conquests, but will contine
herself to the relief of the Christian
subjects of tho Sultan. Something
more than that, however, will be
necessary in secret to secure the al
lance ofGermany, and the satisfactory
limitations Of Austria's intervention
tor it is not probable that she can re-
fraiu from intervening to some extent.
The Turkish question has always been
q club which the Powers Of Europe
have been ready to use in their diff
culties with each other, and its utility
in that respect has not wholly disap-
peared yet. Still, when Lord Derby
can publicly say that the rupture be-
tween Russia and Turkey is now such
as ':to render further discussion use
less :" when Russia withdraws all her
agents from Constantinople, and The
Gar is expected to be with his invad-
ing army at Kischenetf within few
hours, there is, evidently, scarcely any
hope of peace being STAYED OFT by a
resumption Of negotiations. What
ever delay OCCURS will be owing to
strategic, and not amicable reasons.
With regard to the effects Of the im
pending war upon the business affairs
and prospects of the United States, we
observe that the New York Bulletin
substantially concurs with the views
we have already expressed. In adj
,lition to the extra war demand for oul
breadstuffs, it says that Russia usually
exports about 35,O0O,000 bushels d
. grain to England and other European
countries, while the Turkish domlnlons
export $500, 900 bushels ; so that the
{ United States would be called upon
to make up this 100000 bushels
, On the other hand, the depression in
: European business resulting from the
= y .,r would check the consumption OF
- our cotton and petroleum and put
down the prices. The same conse
,ou.nces, however, would tend to low
, er the prices of most imported articles
i which would be gain on our side
. Foreign investors, also, would turr
q more and more to this couDtry as the
best place to put their money thu:
+ Strengthening our resources and stin
! ulating our industries. TO otfse
these advantages would be the rise O
9 bread and meats, the genera
arrangement of prices, which always
y happens in war times, and the dange'
of excessive speculation. These things
p however, would depend largely upoi
/ the extent and length of the war
which the future only can DISCLOSE
Boston journal.