The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-11-01
THE EUROPEAN SITUATION.

The situation Of pOltfeal affairs III
Europe betokens eventual changes of
importance to that whole continent,
and consequently to the world. The
Russo-TurkIsh war has naturally at
tracted the greater measure of pubic
attention as we'll as much OF political
Interest, Its progress thus far has not
by any means met the expectations that
had been formed of Russian success at
Its inception. That Russia herself has
been disappointed in her own expecta-
lions is certain. Inasmuch as Russia
is nothing if not military, the serious
rheck she received both in Asia Minor
and in Bulgaria at the beginning of the
campaign, has seriously compromised
her prestige before the world. Recent
SUCCESS on both Asiatic and Eu-
ropean fields indicates. however, that
she will ultimately triumph over her
obstinate and valOrous hereditary foe.
What results may proceed from that
ultimate triumph, so far as territorial
upon the disposition of the Western
Powers, in large degree. That Russia
can, in any event, possess herself OF
Constantinople by right OF conquest
must be accepted as impossible. 1t is
equally certain that none of the Prov
inces of European Turkey will be al
lowed to pass into her possession as an
integral part OF the Russian Empire.
Indeed, the Car has repeatedly and ex-
plicitly renounoed any such purpose as
TO either Of these points. If territorial
acquisition be his aim at the conclusion
OF this war, he must, then. receive 1t in
Asia Minor, by the surrender OF Ar
menia; thereby extending his posses.
sions southwark from the Caucasus to
the Tigris and Euphrates.
To this acquisition England will be
the only objector among the Western
Powers. But so long as Constantinople,
the Key Of the East, remains untouched,
England's opposition would scarcely be
violent, and probably would not prevail
even if it were 30. When Russian success
in the Balkans seemed assured, England
was ardent and bellicose. But when the
unlooked-for valor OF the Turks turned
back that momentary success, Eng gland
became instantly peaceful and passive.
She was we'll content to let the Sultan
burn his own hands to pull her ches T.
nuts out Of the fire. 1t is quite certain,
therefore, that England can in no man.
ner change or control the results of the
war without becoming herself party to
it in alliance with Turkey. Should this
be her course, she will Immediately EN-
counter the opposition Of all the Conti-
mental Powers OF Western Europe.
This opposition would be natural, and
would be easily combined. Indeed, it
may be said that 1t is already combined.
Regarding France as neutral on that
point, and she can not be otherwise as
her domestic affairs now stand, then
Germany, Italy and Austria will unite
TO oppose this procedure on the part OF
England. just now, even while we
write, there comes intelligence Of a pri-
vate understanding, perhaps secret
treaty, between Germany and Italy,
looking to this very result. 1t is well
known that those two Powers have been
for some time In perfect accord on the
subject Of the movements and machina-
tions of what is called the "Clerical
party,r within their own respective do
mlnions, as well as in France at the
recent elections there. And the under
standing now mutually arrived at in.
cludes a close alliance both offensive
and defensive between them covering
that question SO far as it relates to any
of the Continental Powers.
But this secret treaty, though textu-
ally unannounced, is understood to go
farther, embracing the issues Of the
Russo-Turkish war, and the course to
be pursued by the Western Powers in
relation thereto. BY Its stipulations,
Italy will, in the coming spring, send an