The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1878-01-12
FOREIGN NEWS.
The Eastern War,

l'alt OF inc HBnllHS curing lllc week worthy
of note has been by Gen GOurko south of the
Etopol pass in which the Russians gained the
advantage The Turks evacuated Sophia on
the Sd after a very feeble resistance, the Rus
SLAMS losing but "a men in taking the place.
They found 5000 wounded Turks in the city,
cared for mainly by philanthropic English
nurses.
But the most important military event dur
ing the week was the capture of Schipka pass
by the Russians. On the 3D. heavy Russian
force moved along Trajans pass and crossed
the mountains after suffering incredibly from
the cold This force struck the rear of the
Turkish position at Schpka, while Radetzky
with heavy force attacked the Turks four
hours later in front. The Turks being sur
rounded became demoralized and after short
resistance surrendered. This capture, it is
said, imperls Suleimans position at Samova
and will at once force him back to Adrianople
He would even be in danger of capture but for
the Russians not being able to advance for
want of supplies. A force Of cavaly however,
has been sent south to harrass his TANKS and
levy supplies on the country
The Russian Bulgarian army is reduced to
three weeks provisions and is awaiting anx-
iossly the freezing over of the Danube to get
supplies from the north. The ice stopped run
ming on the 18th, giving promise of practical
BILE bridge in a day or two, but on the 10th it
grew warm, so that the Russians in Bulgaria
are rather uneasy.
OF course the absorbing topic of all Europe
continues to be the prospect Of peace, 1t Is
generally understood that Turkey has issued
instructions to the commander of her armies
to open negotiations with the Russian COM
mander with view to an armistice of-some
say six and others twelve weeks-during
which to arrange the terms of permanent
peace.
But what are these terms to be, and what
part is Europe, and especially England to
play in arranging them? The Russian reply
to the English note suggesting inquiries on
these points is stated by a St. Petersburg dis
patch TO be, in substance, that
Russia after her immense sacrifices demands
the right to discuss the conditions of peace
with her enemy alone. Russia, however, re-
cognlzcs the right of Europe to make known
its appreciation of the peace condition settled
between the bclligerents. 1t is nevertheless
important not to admit any pretensions which
might mislead the vanquishcd concerning
their position and public opinion concerning
the relations between the powers
4 week ago the English cabinet was believed
to be savagely decided that it could not accept
the position that the terms of peace are matters
for settlement between Russia and Turkey
alone, subject only to the general ratification
of Europe In that view Turkey, angered at
the non.iuterference of England in her behalf
would naturally yield conditions that would
be especially prejudicial to British interests
but in regard to which Europe generally would
be Indifferent. Even the strongest English
liberals and Russophiles hesitate at such a
prospect. Yet there is no question that Rus
sias failure to show any sign Of weakness not
outstanding the furious British buster of a
week or two ago, has had a decidedly soothing
effect in England and even Beaconsticld is
said to be tanned down, more especially in de-
ference to the clamor against war by the Brit
ish commercial classes.
te, can England afford to "knuckle UNDER
to Russian arrogance? Two.thirds of her In
dian population is Mohammcdan and chronic
ally uneasy. If Russia is allowed to take Con
stantinople this population will believe it is
because England can't help it. 1t Is obvious
such an impression in India would be The
source of infinite mischief and England can
have no choice but war to avert it, And after all,
wha, has England to fear nom Russia: Alone
England and Turkey are more than match
for the Muscovitc Germany dare not help
Russia for fear of France, and Austria dare not
aid her for fear q her Hungarian population,
which is violently anti-Russian. If Russia is
determined on entering Constsntinople il Is
thus apparent that the question OF English in
tervcntion is still far from being settled.
England.