The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-11-28

has been received Of the late Turkish re-
verses. The fall Of Kars and the danger
which now menaccs Erzeroum have cx-
cited the apprchcnsiOns OF tho Russo
phobist, who secs British possessions In
India once more directly menaced; while
there can be no doubt that In proportion as
the Muscovte armies In Armenia are vic
torious, that vague, abstract. but important
factor in Oriental politics, called the pres
tigc OF England" will diminish, and the Mo-
hammcdan populations under the rule Of
tho Empress Of India will become restless
and dissatisfied at the neutral and Indifferent
attitude Of her Government, in presence of
the danger which mcnaces the spiritual
head Of thirty millions Of her subjects.
Hence a strenuous agitation has once more
sprung up in England in favor of active in
tcrvention in behalf OF Turkey and the
leading Conservative journals are strongly
urging a vigorous policy upon Lord BEA-
CoNsPIELp, who, IL Is pretty well known, is
only waiting for public opinion to declare
itself with sufficient energy and distinct
ness to put himself at its head and boldly
to adopt a decisive and, II necessary, hostile
attitude. Whether the counter agitation of
the Liberals, headed by Mr.. GLADSTONE
and other Liberal leaders and amateur poll
ticians, will prove powerful enough to stem
the tide which IL setting in, in favor of active
measures, IL is difficult for those who are not
In the thick of the struggle To estimate; but
1t cannot fail to produce its effect upon the
Cabinets uf Europe, for the political kaleido-
scope has so changed of late that more de-
ponds at this moment upon the attitude Of
England than upon that Of any Cabinet on
the Continent.
We repeatedly pointed out at the opening
Of this war. the commanding attitude then
displayed by Germany. Prince BISMARCK
had placed his country in an apparently Sc
cure and unassailable position. with a cor
dial alliance with Russia on the one hand and
no less hard and fast union with Italy to act
together in all eventuaittcs on the other;
with Austria submissive, and even involved
in II formal diplomatic understanding with
both the Emperor Of Germany and of Rus
| STA; and with France eniccbled and pros
trate, England was left in condition of iso-
| lation which rendered her harmless, while
| she was paralyzed within by an agitation
| which deprived her Of n consistent foreign
| policy of any kind. Now all this is COM
| pletcly changed Russia is no longer in a
| situation to assist any OF her allies. She
may demand aid from them, she cannot
render IL; and the consequence is that Aus
tria is relieved from the incubus of the two
northern Emperors. she has, in fact, only
one to consider, and has already shown signs
of asserting her Independence. There can be
| little doubt that in the event Of a general Eu-
| ropcan war, she would not now shrink from
| the prospect Of playing her part, while she
4 3. Ia. 4
to Germany. Russia and Turkey, though
| In the struggle. would not be able to assist
either side, and we may therefore pair them
of against each other. Italy would now
| find herself alone with Germany. in face Of
England, France, and Austria; but when
she entered into the original arrangement
| she calculated on a powerful Russia, a ncu-
| tralized Austria. and an isolated and neutral
| England. She has, therefore. Of late shown
| distinct indications OF receding from her
| position and in the event Of English inter-
| vcntion she would unquestiOnably do this,
| for she has the longest coast line of any
| power in Europe. and would be at the mercy
Of the British fleets.
Under these circumstances 1t IS very
doubtful whether, ii England We're boldly to
| intervene now Germany would interfere to
prevent her. Two months ago she would
| most certainly have done 90 and even so
| lately az n month ago it is doubtful whether
| italian public sentiment had SO far been
modified as TO refuse military cooperation
with Germany. But every day Is working II
change in this respect, and the attitude Of
| France on the clerical question only adds to
| the danger. Were England boldly TO de-
clare in favor of active Intervention now,
one Of two things would happen. Either
Germany, true to her understanding with
Russia. would also actively intervene In
| which ease France would instantly be drawn
in, followed by Austria, while Italy would
endeavor TO remain neutral; and then the
sides would be Russia and Germany against
Turkey. England, France, and Austria. Oh
else Germany, unwilling to take these odds,
would retire from her alliance with Russia,
breach Of faith which Prince BISMARCK
could easily excuse on the ground that the
original arrangement did not involve active
| military support. In that case France and
Austria would also remain neutral, and
England aud Turkey would be allied against
| Russia.
1t will thus be seen that the position OF
| Germany has changed very much for the
worse in consequence OF the collapse OF
| Russia and the detection of Italy. Even
should this latter power be unable to keen
out of the quarrel, it will be drawn in on the
| papal question, and in this it is highly prob.
able that Spain may be equally Interested
on the other side. Great antagonism already
exists between the two countries, and in the
event Of general European war, in which
the religious question should form prom
nent element, Spain would be pressed int
the fray 10y the Ultramontanc party against
Italy. Under any circumstances sides have
changed, and Prince BISMARCK no Longer
has the strongest combination with him, as
he had at the commencement of the war
From all this it would appear plain that The
only European power in II position to MAKE
Il move il England. Upon the decision OF III
Cabinet and It's public at this iuncture thu
dcstlnles of Europe largely depend.
A Duty for Congress TO Perform.