Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-05-18
Possibilities of the War.


The Turkish war must for long time be
regarded everywhere with profound interest.
Private expressions of opinion from Europe,
and some Of the English papers, show an
apprehension Of a general complication
There are great preparations in England,
and great anxieties everywhere. The ques-
ton which excites apprehension and cxpoc-
tation is whether Russia intends territorial
conquest, whether the Gar really means to
try for Constautinople and the Moditcrran-
can. 1t is observed that in his manifest he
said nothing on this point. But the Grand
Duke Nicholas, in his address to the army,
announced distinctly that the Russians did
not march for conquest. Yet every quid.
nunc in every cafe in Europe asks, with
knowing shake of the head, "That is all very
we'll but how does Russia mean to pay
herself for the expense Of the war; Her
ostensible object is the protection Of the
Christian subjects of tho Porte. In the
Conference she stated what arrangements
would be necessary. IL, now, after hard
fighting and immense loss, Turkey offers, as a
condition of peace, tho arrangement which
she refused at the conference, is Russia like
ly to accept it2 viii she not naturally say
that Turkey has obliged her to lose large
numbers of men and enormous treasure in
order to persuade Turkey that she could do
no better, and that as Russia has now shown
that she was in the right, she must be paid
for her trouble and expense2
This is but reasonable The guarantees
Of protection for the Christians which would
have been satisfactory before the war, will
not satisfy after The eternal tale of the
Sibyllino books will be repeated. What
would the further proposition probably be
but Russian protection of the principalities
And what, in turn, would that be but the ad-
vance of Russia to the Balkan2 All thi.
is not only possible, but probable, and it i;
the perception of it which is filling up the
English regiments aud setting the British
dockyards humming. This is something also
, which Austria could not favor. 1t was the
suspicion Of such Russian designs that pro
p duced the secret treaty for Turkish protec
q ton, between Austria, England and France
after the Treaty of Paris. The practical
result would then apparently be the activ,
cooperation of England, Austria, and Tur
key, while France held Germany passive.
On the other hand, there is to be consider
ed the force of the feeling in England which
f is represented by Mr.. Gladstone. Thus fa
D it has practically restrained the government
: which has notified Turkey that, under exist
G ing circumstances, she must not expect Brit
: list aid. 1t is now said, however, and by in
, telligent men, that if Russia threatens t
0 break through into the Mediterranean and Il
throw herself bpon the English line of com
munica.ion with India, England will eager
e ly go to war. The sentimental" and "hu
: manitarian" and "Christian" feeling will be
n swept away by the national feeling, an,
o England will fight Russia for her Easter
+ empire as zealously as she ever Tough
II France. 1t is asserted that Mr.. Gladstone
+ himself does not appear to trust the feelin
y to which he appeals, and that if he were re
e ally in earnest, he would attempt the over
IS throw of the Dlsraeli Administration. Blu
1t that it would come to this, should the ad
/ ministration evidently intend war, there cal
o be no doubt. Then we should see procise
g the force Of conflicting sentiments in Eng
0 land. Certainly it would be an extraordi
IS nary spectacle, that of Protestant England
?. led by descendant of Spanish Jews, allieC
e with Roman Catholic states to protect Mo
L hammedan oppression of Christians.-Bos
: ton Journal.