Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-04-26
THE WAR CLOUD IN EUROPE.

All Europe is trembling on the brink Of
war. The firing of the first gun will inaugu-
rate the fercest struggle ever known, the re-
suit of which cannot be foretold. On the one
hand is Russia, the overgrown giant backed
by Servia, Bosnia, Montenegro and all the
other Sclavic nations, representing popula-
ton of one hundred millions of people On
the other stands Turkey, manifesting unmista-
kable evidences of strength and determina-
ton, and supported by England, Austria and
Italy, with France as friend, and the grim
eagles of Germany lowering in the back.
ground.
The cause of the impending strife arises
from complication of circumstances. Osten-
sibly, Russia demands that the Christian SUBJ
iects of the Porte shall be permitted to exer-
else the right of self:government, and that the
fearful atrocities committed by the Moslem
fanatics upon helpless men and women, shall
forever cease. In reality, Russia sighs for the
golden gate of Constantinople and the fertile
fields of Turkey.
The other powers are dragged necessarily
into the struggle by the almost absolute GER
tainty that war between Russia and Turkey,
single-handled, would result in the uni6cation
of hundred million Sclaves, and the estab-
lishment of an empire so powerful as to forev-
er destroy the balance Of power in Europe.
Self:preservation impels them to uphold the
Crescent against the Cross, and to rescue the
Mosem from the grasp of the Russian bear.
In 1856, after the termination of the Cri-
mean war, the treaty of Paris was signed.
By this, among other things, the Black Sea
was "neutralized )" its waters and ports were
formally and forever closed to vessels of
war;" and Russia and Turkey engaged "neith-
or to construct nor maintain any naval or
military arsenal upon its coast" In 1870,
during the Franco-Prussiau struggle, Russia
notified the powers of her intention to annul
the stipulations of the treaty of Paris regu-
lating the Black Sea. England, Austria
and Italy all demonstrated, but subsequently,
an agreement having been effected between
the Gar and the Sultan, Russia gained her
point, and the Black Sea was deneutralized.
Russia recently continued her aggressive
movements. The principalties of Servia and
Montenegro were induced to declare war
against the Sultan. The Turks we're victo-
rious, but their victory was marred BY such
wholesale atrocities that the sympathy of Eu.
rope caused them to forget the articles of the
treaty of Paris. Negotiations were opened be-
tween the powers to effect reconciliation be-
tween Turkey and her subjects, but all efforts
were unavailing. Finally, on the 3lst of
March, protocol was agreed upon. In that
protocol, Turkey is treated as the ward of the
powers. They notify her that certain reforms
must be effected, and give full warning that
they themselves, or some of their number, will
resort to other measures, if the Porte fail to
give his Christian subjects the rights and priv
ileges which the imperial DEGREES and the
brand.new constitution guarantee them.
Turkey refuses to accede to the terms pro-
posed, claiming that the protocol violates the
treaty of Paris which ensured the suverei ignty
of the Porte, and the asserting that solemn
engagement cannot be abolished by a proto-
col in which Turkey has no share.
Russia has not taken any official notice OF
Turkeys defiant note. All correspondents
from the European capitals, however, regard
war as inevitable.
Austria is resolved, if necessity demands, TO
localize the war by the armed occupation of
Bosnia, in the north ofTurkey. To that end
Kaiser Francis Joseph has ordered the mobi-
lation of five army corps.
Parliament in England is discussing the
probabilities of war, and the opposition are
making bitter attacks upon the administration
for its conduct through the whole extent OF
the complication. France at first hoped to
remain neutral, but it is now feared that ln
spite of all her desires to the contrary, she will
be drawn into the vast war conflict which is
now preparing on the European stage, the
curtain of which, in the nervous language Of
Victor Hugo, is trembling before its rise"
Germany has not spoken, but she cannot
afford to have so powerful neighbor near ut
hand. The belief is that Bismarck will be