The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1877-05-10
THE EASTERN WAR.
What Led to 1t, and Where
1t is.

cauSeu Tue present war IN Europe
and Asia that we will give the lead
ing facts that led to it. The New
York Tribune furnishes US with
the main facts, and remarks that il
would be able to follow the exam
pie of some old historians and be-
gin with the CT cation of man; for
the deepest base upon which all ma
tional antagonisms are built is the
ancient difference of blood and
faith. But it is enough to say that
since the fall of the Eastern EN-
pire, Russia, whose sovereign as
sumes it's title OF Caesar (Czar), has
considered herself the legitimate
heir. Through her the Greek
Church lives and includes one
fourth of Christendom; and it is
the Greek Church which has been
called upon to endure the barbara
ties and indignities heaped upon it
by the triumph of Islam. Russia's
sympathy with the Christian sub
jects of Turkey is thus inevitable
No doubt she has always sought to
turn it to her political advantage;
but, if this were not possible, the
sympathy would none the less ex
list, for it is grounded in the deep
est faith of her people.
The first little spark, which has
grown into a flame that may posi-
bly, involve all Europe in conaagra-
ton, was kindled in the Sclavonic
province Of Herzegovina, on the
western border of Turkey, between
Bosnia and Montenegro. The
Christian peasants rose in rebel
lion against the Moslem landown-
ers, of their own race, in June, 1875,
and the disturbance which ensued
soon extended into Bosnia. The
people of Montenegro and Servia
sympathized keenly with the des-
perate resistance of their Christian
brethren to expressions which the
latter declared to be intolerablo.
Much secret aid was undoubtedly
sent into Herzegovina and Bosnia,
as the rebellion could not otherwise
have been prolonged; but Montene-
gro and Servia remained neutral.
and Russia entered into an agree
ment with Germany and Austria to
secure peace. On the 30th of De-
cember, Count Andrassy, speaking
both for Austria and her two allies,
issued n Mote" of the reforms
which the Ottoman Government
should apply to the rebellious prov
inces. Even England acceded.
THOUGH not conformity, to the de
mands of this note, which was, in
accepted by the Porte.
But nothing more was heard of it:
the terms of the reforms was not
promulgated, the rebellion contin
ued, and by the Spring Of 1876 the
insurgents were so encouraged by
their success that they increased
their demands. During all this
time, fanatical spirit which has
been spreading throughout the
East for several years pasta re-
vival of the old, militant Moslem
spirit-was on the increase among
the Turks. The Ottoman Govern
ment either was unable to control
it, or was blind to the new element
of danger which it introduced into
the situation.
BY the end of April, 1876, it was
very evident that the excited feel
ing of the Servians and Montene-
grins, who were inspired by the gal
lant resistance OF the Bosnians,
might force their reigning princes
TO join in the struggle. On the 9th
Of May the murder of the French
and German consuls at Salon;ca,
oy fanatical Turkish mob, aroused
Europe to the necessity of action.
Five days afterwards Prince Gorts- |
,hakoff and Count Andrassy met |
Prince Bismark at Berlin, and |
agreed upon what is called the |
Berlin Memorandum" 1t repeat
ID the demands Of the Andrassy
Note, but added, that, as the latter
las been accepted by the Porte, its
must be instantly carried |
nto effect with satisfactory guaran-
ees,-failing which, it proposed
hat the Powers should take "such
measures as might be
demanded" 1t also stipulated for
n immediate armistice of two
lonths, in order that the initial re-
orms should be carried into effect.
rance and Italy were willing to
ccept the Berlin Memorandum, but
,nglaud refused. As the measure
equired the concurrence of the
'hrlstian powers of Europe it was
nus hwarted-and the Tory party
f England exulted over Lord Der
VS. diplomatic triumph! But this
as actually the one golden oppor-
lnity, when an efficient interven- {
on was possible-when all imme.
late troubles must have been adj ,
listed, and the final Eastern War i
which is among the inevitable {
lings J. postponed for a number Of
ears. II
In less than a month after the |
erin Memorandum, Bulgaria was s
lie theatcr of the most shocking I
the Sultan deposed and l
cad, and Servia and Montenegro |
nd decided to declare war against {
turkey. The atrocities perpetrated
: Turks silenced for a time all '
of political interest, t
Id paralyzed the efforts of diplo-
acy 10 stay the spread OF war. t
ussia, thwarted by England, no t
niger hesitated to give secret aid Il
Id encouragement to Servia and t
ontenegro: England was in no v
,sition to interfere while half her
,pulation was holding indignant t.
and sending HELM to q