The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1877-06-14
PERTURBED EUROPE.

editorial comment ON the war now being
waged, on the Danube and in Asia Minor.
We have tried to decipher the immense
mass of cable dispatches printed by the
leading dailies, but we must confess it is
not an easy thing TO do. 1t wants to be
scanned as closely as the proceedings in
a chancery suit, and it is every bit as
mixed. Ole day the RussiaLs are on
the point of crossing the Danube, next
day they are reported as having deferred
the job a matter of four weeks. We are
told that the real seat Of the wa s n
Asia, and that proceedings on the Dan
ube are but feint to occupy the atten
ton of the Turks. Now we are inform
ed that the Gar has joined the head
quarters of his army on the Danube,
which looks as though there will be STIR
ring times there soon. 4 thousand sur
misses are telegraphed by ''our special
correspondent only to be contradicte'l
and amended. The fact is, reporters are
not in favor with either of the beliger-
ent powers, which makes it hard to get
accurate information. No very impor-
tant engagements have occurred, and
no very great advantages have been Sc
cured by either army. There has beer
some hard fighting around Kars, and
others Of the Asiatic fortresses, in which
the Turks, especially the Bashi Ba-
zouks, have Displayed great personal
yal0r. But the real tug OF war is yet to
come. The Danube is yet to be crossed
and the Balkan passes must be forced,
before Russia uncovers Constantinople
from the side of Europe. Perhaps one
great battle in Asia would decide the
conflict on that side should Russia be
the victor. Ali these reports are com
plicated with peace rumors, which as far
as we can judge at this stage of the game
have no foundation to rest on.
If the war goes on it is difficult to see
how England can keep from being en-
broiled. So far the power Of the people
has kept the government pacific. But
national honor, and when that is serious
ly menaced by an overt act of war, she
Will fight Any other conclusion seems
absurd, unless she is willing to abdicate
the high place she holds IN the worlds
esteem. Ii this war is left to be fought
out between Russia and Turkey, it can
have but one issue. That will be the
subjugation OF the Ottoman power, and
fheir expulsion from Europe. Russia
covcts Constantinople and the possess
ion of ali the coasts of the Black Sea,
This has been her traditionary policy
for hundred and fifty years. She will
get them now if left to work her will on
the Turkish Empire. IF interfered with
she will wait. She is very patient of
time. Her wars with Turkey since the
time of Peter the Great all point i'll one
direction. The weakening of Turkish
power and the gradual acquisition of her
territory IN Europe and Asia.
It is difficult to see why America
should waste much sympathy on either
beligerent. We judge both of them to
be utterly unworthy of it. We however
sympathise deeply with the oppressed
OF both nations, who through the ambi-
ton and fhe pride of Kings and Emper-
ors are ground between the upper and
neither milestone. It may be claimed
that while Russia is despotism, she is
yet making considerable strides in civil
ization. What has Republican Europe
&c hope from the government of the
Cars What is there in common be-
tween the Republic of the United States
and Russian autocracy? Turkey on the
other hand is bopelessly given over to
the owls and bats. She has no sympa-
thy with modern civilization. She makes
progress backward. The ferver of her
soldiers can only be aroused by religious
fanaticism
We should like to see a great coloniz-
ing power like England, or cultured
and progressive people like the French,
on the Bosphorous. To us here in
America the condition of the French
Republic should excite more genuine
commiseration than either Turk or Rus
sian. France with noble aspirations for
political freedom, seems unequal to the
power OF self government. She has con-
stantly to struggle with two adverse
interests. These are the intngues Of
opposing factions for power in the State,
and the reactionary influence of the
priests. 1t seems absolutely incredible
but to-day there is faction IN France
willing TO embroil her III a war with
Italy, to reinstate the Pope in his tenn
poral authority. In these latter COM
pI1eauons That have arisen, the true Re-
publican leaders IL France have hoped
for the resignation of McAIahon. But
he likes his place too well, and will re-
sign only at the instance of a successful
revolution. " such juncture all eyes
instinctiyely look to Theirs, and lucky
turn of the wheel may bring that ocotge-
marian hero once more to the presidency
OF the French republic. We should re-
lolce to see it. -Racj11e Journal
The Secretary of the Treasury has
Just completed arrangements with the