, 1877-05-06

Corr<spondence .Ne.o FORK Timer.
| LONDON, April 2l.-England is waiting an
watching. She has given up all hope Of avert'nl
| collision between the armies that have beel
confronting each other for so many wear.
months. She will take no part in the fighting
unless her Own interests Or the calls OF humani
| ty compel her to 60 to the front. The campaign
will either be short sharp and decisive, or tt vii
| eutsngle other Powers, and lead to general Eu
ropean war It is said that secret treaty has beer
signed between Germany and Russia, in which
the former consents to a Russfan acquisition o
territory on the Danube in return for sur
render to King William Of slice OF Russian
Poland. This run,or Is dead against the hope
Of localizing the war, though it is asserted witt
equal positiyeuess that one OF the great Powers
has proposed to the others a. simultaneous oc.
cupation OF Turkey rs material guarantee, in
which England is offered Constantinop]e- Bis.
marck, in bis chatty moments (which are 1e"
and far between, nowadays), still expresses
himself in favor Of spelling both Turk and
Egyptian, letting England nave the khediye's
territory, and giving European Turkey to Rus
sin, Germany, and Austria. It is not
little significant how thoroughly these general
reports ignore all consideration for Turkey
Rumor sits upon the Ottomite as II be had
neither rights or guns. The only exception is
an on dit that comes from private correspond
ent, who declares that Turkey is negotiating an
alliance with Sweden. A special envoy y re-
ported to be on his way to the Swedish Court
with the promise Of the restoration OF the
Finnish provinces (which Russia wrested
from Charles XII.) 10 case tile armies OF the
Car are vanquished. Ana the Turks be-
1ieve that they will be able to crush their
ancient foe. Their faith is shared by some Of
the most experienced Of English officers. The
Moslems are fighting race. They will be
strengthened in the coming war by fcrocious
fanaticism and the well-fouuded belief that
they are making their last stand In Europe II
they have to resist soldiers better trained than
themselves, and In greater numbers, there are
many geographical advantages in their favor,
and they will frequently hare on their side the
aid of fighting behind fortiicatious, The
officials at the English War Office, however, do
In conversation with some Of the heads OF
departments, gather that they expect that
Russian strategy, efficient equipment, and the
capacity to pour vast numbers Of troops into
the field will end in an early defeat Of the
TURKS. Then will come Russia's greatest diff
Guilty. If she is not tempted to 60 too far, she
will nave secured moral victory as well US
military triumph that would give her the right
to dictate to the Sultan in regard to his Chris
tian subjects, But one false step beyond the
line which the other Powers will assuredly draw
for her, and Russia's rea1 trouble will begin.
Neither Austria nor Germany can permit the
Danube to be converted into Il Russian river.
and England will never sanction the capture OF
Constantinople. ~c.4
The various reports just mentioned have in
special consideration. It is said that Austria
Will observe strict neutrality. ! neither be-
lieve this nor the reported treaty between Rus
sia and Germany It is far more probable that
Austria should By aud by be found on the side
OF the Turk It is, indeed. quite on the cards
that internal and external pressure will compel
Austria to occupy Bosnia and Herzegovina, and
it is tolerably certain that Russia would regard
such action as q casus bell1. Should Austria
be dragged into the war in defense OF
ideas aud plots, the Russians would. 10 al prob
ability, find the grave Of their ambition in the
region Of the Balkans, for the Austrian troops
would be splendid accession to the Ottoman
power. And, supposfng the Russians did get as
far as the Balkans, the Turkish soldiers would
assuredly be released from the defense OF Con-
giving to the =. field IN important Otto
man reserve. The most terrible combina-
ton possible in the impending conflict
IN ambitious seizure Of territory, may bring
Germany into the field agninst her; for it is
certain that. upon whichever side Germany
draws the sword, France will be her opponent.
Then we should arrive at a war Of Russia and
france and pqss9 a agnSaa gamaa ;uead
be 9 calamity. France would be as loath to fire
gun against the English flag as England would
be to see the two banners waving over rival
ships and armies. It will be no ordinary
event that will break the neutrality OF Germany,
but France would be unable to resist the opDor-
tunity OF attacking the Germans should the
Emperor William call once more upon his peo-
ple to lay down their lives upon the battlefield;
and France will make no move until she has
ample proof Of the intentions OF Germany. The
weather at present Is not favorable to general
Russian advance, and military men predict that
no fighting OF Importance can take place until
late In May or early in June.