Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-05-09
The European War.

me capture oil Mars Dy tne hussian
army gives the Gear the first success oil
Importance thus far. This, however.
seems to have been anticipated by the
Turks, as they left for the defence of the
place only its garrison, which OF course
coul interpose no efficient opposition to
the advance of the Russian forces. The
Russian strength In Asia Minor support
ing the movement upon Kars and the gen.
eral plan Of the campaign is estimated at
10000 men. while the number OF Turk
ish troops between Erzeroum. Kars and
Ba,oum Is about Ga, 900 regulars. aud 49,
900 militia and irregular cavalry. The
real battles for the supremacy in Asia
Minor will probably occur at or near
Erzeroum Towards that point the Rus
SLAMS are moving, and thus far with celer-
ity aad success.
Meantime the excitement ia Europe
consequent upon the war increases, and
apparently in no nation more than In Fog
land, where the divided state of public
opinion intensifies the public feeling
Gladstone's resolutions against rendering
British aid TO the Porte have put Parla-
ment in q ferment. That he was obliged
to modify them to avoid split in the lib
eral party indicates that the opposition
was more than he expected, or that the
war spirit has beeu rising since he gave
notice of his purpose to present his reso-
lutions. As il begins to dawn upon the
English mind that the chances are large
ly In favor of the success of the Russian
arms if the Turks are left to fight their
battles alone, the old hatred which the
English have TO Russia revives and grows,
and added TO the fears that England feels
for the safety of her possessions in India
creates q strong sentiment in favor
Of the British government taking hand
in the war against the Russians. The fall
Of Kars will be employed by the Turkish
party In England to intensity the war fe-
yer. Should Erzeroum soon follow the
fate of Kars the fears and jealousies
Of England will be powerfully stimulated
to drive the government to hostile &C.
ton against Russia. The London cor.
respondent OF the Tribune writing under
date of the 26th represents the war feeling
as in the ascendency. The government
was insincere all the time while participat-
ing in the Conference. The real opinion
of the government and the people is that
in certain contingencies England must
take the side of the Turks. There is evil
dence enough Of this" says the Tribune
correspondent, sin the speeches of Minis
ters-in their frequent declarations OF dis
trust Of Russia and sympathy with Turkey.
But there Is better evidence still In the ut.
terances Of persons who are not restrained
by the conventionalities Of public life.
The tone Of the Tories In parliament is
evidence. The tone of private life is evil
dence. The tone of the Ministerial Press
is strongest evidence of all. And it must
be added that since war became certain,
and especially since the Emperor's mani.
festo and the circnlar of Prince Gortcha-
koff appeared. the Ministerial party has
been re-enforced by large accessions from
the Neutrals and by some from the Liber-
ais. have spoken before of the efforts
made by the Government to foment the
anti Russian feeling Of England. which is
the natural heritage of the Crimean war.
They have been only too successful.
You have only to say Constantinople
to an Englishman to see him bristle. The
Daily News itself, which has been the
most clear-sighted. rational, and consist
ent of English newspapers on this Eastern
question, burst out the other day with a
declaration that Russia must be prevented
at all hazards from Selling Constantinople
that England mnst prevent her if Tur-
key could not. That is the key In which
all the Ministerial appeals to English pride
have been pitched. and you may imagine
with what joy they heard this unexpected
echo from such quarter. 1t only proves
how wide and deep the decentralization
is"
The English government is allied to the
Turk in sympathy. 1t feels the capture OF
kars as 1t would British defeat. India
ties it to the followers of Mahomet. A
few more Russian victories will probably
tear away the mask which the British gov
eminent has worn thus far and reveal il
as the avowed ally of Turkey.
call has been issued for State Con-
d vention of the republican party in Iowa.
Its to meet at Des Moines on Wednesday,
the 9th Of June. The tone of the call
shows that the republicans of that part of
the Northwest do not look with absolute
serenity on the proceedings in the South
which have attended and followed the set.
Elements in South Carolina and Louisiana.
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Shippers and the War.
Dispatches from LONDON say:
in f.,p mad