The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1878-01-26
(. FOREIGN NEWS.

It continue, OF course, 70 DC TIC al-enBfoshIhB
topic Of interest among all classes, and the tone
of public feeling in England appears to be be-
coming more decidedly warlikc. IL seems as II
a few moro successes of the Russian arms will
bring about a state Of excitement that nothing
but a declaration Of war against Russia and con-
scqucnt alliance with Turkey will serve to nlay.
That such a declaration will shortly be an
nounccd, everything seems to forebode. The
great preparations now going on for war on a
grand scale would not be made, if the English
Cabinet had any hope that a peaceful solution
could be arrived at. This may have been their
belief from the beginning Of hostilities still IL
is evident they have been " drifting" with the
current Of events instead Of trying to guide it.
The consequences Of the fall Of Plevna arc fast
developing themselves. The FIRST effect was
that it released a large and efficient army to
augment the forces now operating against
Sophia, it is reported at Bucharest, January
lst the Turks have abandoned and burnt Sophia
and which will probably shortly threaten Ad-
rianople. The Turks are assembling an army
Of 80 600 men at the latter point, which shows,
evidently, that it il at this place that they intend
to make their next great effort to resist the
Russian invasion. The approaches TO Adriano-
pie are capable of being made immensely strong,
and if they are properly defended by an army
sufficiently equipped with the munitions Of war
and provisions, the Turks may prove able TO
keep the present Russian army at bay until
diplomacy, mediation, or interference by other
Powers, shall roll back the tide of invasion and
put an end to the war, and thus save Turkey
from being blottcd out from the map Of Europe.
Adrianople has n free and easy communication
with sea from the Bay Of Enos, and from Con-
stantinople by the lines Of railway which con-
meet those two points, and achievements Of
men and provisions can be easily thrown into
the city SO long as the approaches from the
capital and the sea remain open.
1t is not yet exactly known ut what point
the Seryians intend 10 make their first advance,
but it is most probable that the siege of Widdin
will be the first thing Of importance undertaken
by them.
In Asia Minor affairs remain about the same.
The Turks still hold Erzeroum which il now
nearly invested, and the Russians arc obliged
to winter on the plains of Passim but Chozo-
ben, close to Batoum, has been evacuated, the
troops being probably required for the defence
Of Erzcroum. Batoum, with its mail garrison,
will have to rely upon the feet for protection,
II hlAuNhNh ny WV hGiA Ahb luAAfI uDIthI
to have such an enterprise in view, for they have
already made am attack upon the fleet by torpedo
vessels, which, however, failed Of success.
1t is apparent that Russia intends to make
her gigantic strength felt during the coming
summer, for an order has been issued by the
Car for the enrolment Of 480 900 conscripts
for 1873, and the armament Of the feet is being
pushed forward with all vigor. She evidently
expects, and is preparing for Intervention. Tho
London Obsaccr, dee. 30,) says that Ruesia
has refused to conclude a peace with Turkey,
and must leave England to interfere in the war.
Thus we rec what all tins wnrllke preparation
means. Russia is in dcathly earnest, and Eng
land rapidly becoming 30. If the latter coun-
try takes up arms, it is almost certain that the
war will become general.
Austria, in reply to the Turkish note init
mates that she will not sanction the dismember-
mcnt Of Turkey nor allow the Black Sea TO be.
come a Russian lake, and that she will only
permit Russia to conclude n peace on the basis
Of the Treaty Of Paris. This news, If correct,
places her in direct opposition to Germany,
which has already determined upon an almost
contrary policy. Count Andrassy, according
to the Government organ at Pesth, says that
Austria ~ forced, temporarily, 10 join the
Triple Alliance, but will support England tho
moment she decides upon IA resoIute policy.
Public opinion in that country indorses tho ac-
ton Of England.
In Hungary public feeling is worked up to
almost IA white heat. A great anti Russian
meeting has been held at Pesth, which ended in
a rot in consequence Of the Austrian delegate
refusing to receive "A dcputatioD. IL IL said tho
IIugarians arc 80 much IN earnest that they will
insist upon their Government participating In
the war.
The statement that the English Premier in-
tends proposing to Parliament to accept the
suzcrainty Of Egypt, with the consent Of the
Sultan and KhcdIyc, has caused a GOOD denl of
discussion in the Continental press and the Ger
man papers are favorable 10 the project. II doso
not appear that they speak with authority.
Amid all these stirring and exciting events
still come rumors Of peace. We think that all
attempts 70 bring about n lasting peace, for tho
present at least, will prove futile, for neither of
the combatants are sufficiently exhausted TO lis
ten to anything more than an illusOry armistice
during which they may gather strength 10 renew
the conflict more Hereby than ever. IL is ND
parent that Turkeys means Of defence nre NOT
exhausted, and that sho feels on hopes If she can
sustain the war n little longer, its continuation
may bring to her eide powerful allies who will
aid her in resisting any eKorbitant demands Of
Russia IN treating for peace. Indications point
to England and Austria as those allies, and they
are certainly the two powers most interested in
the " Sick Mans" fate. In England tho popu-
lar feeling is for energetic action being taken.
The country begins 10 feel tho undigni6ed posi-.
ton in which it is placed by a timorous policy,
and that it's honor is affected by the non-obser.
vance Of the treaty Of Paris.
The assembling of Parliament will afford nn
opportunity for the Ministry and country 20 be
heard, and we have but little doubt that the
roll Of the drum and tho blare Of trumpet will
drown any faint murmurings for peace. The
next mail will, probably bring news Of some
thing definite being decided upon.
From America the news ~ still 30 full Of inter
est that We find it difficult 10 be brief and give
a clear idea OF what is going on. Washington
continues to be the central point 10 which all
eyes are turned, and the present session Of Con-
gress will prove to be one Of the most important
that has been held since 1861. Civil Service
Reform, Hayes Southern Policy, the Currency
Question, and the balance Of power between
the two great political parties that divide country
are still the absorbing topics of conversation and
Newspaper comment. Personal feeling of strong