The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-04-25
Russia and England.

Dispatches from London to the 22d inst,
give the following Interesting statement and
news of the eastern complications
In spite of the negotiations concerning
the simultaneous withdrawal of the English
feet and the Russian forces from the neigh
borhood of Constantinople. the prevailing
feeling in the English press is one of great
uneasiness. 1t is noticeable that all the Ber-
lin specials to the English papers are
couched in very respondent tone. They
dwell upon the difficulties which will be en-
countered In settling the details OF any
scheme for the withdrawal.
The Times and the Daily Telegraph's
Vienna correspondents write in the same
tone. The Times correspondent says !:
The aspect of affairs is neither better nor
worse. The course of the negotiations
makes it more and more apparent that Rus
sia meant to make any concession relative
to the Congress dependent on some arrange
ment as to the relative position OF her own
and the English forces. The fact that the
Russians did not reject the idea of withdraw
ing to Adrianople, and that the negotiations
have been pending on that basis, shows that
they would set great value on the withdraw
al Of the British fleet beyond the Darda-
nelles, still as Besika Bay is only about -
is at least three days forced march dis
tant, the Russians thought they would be
placed at a disadvantage unless some ar
rangement was made by which. in the event
OF an outbreak of hostilities some priority of
movement was allowed them. This seemed
to raise the whole question of the equivalent
to be given by the Russians for the with
drawal OF the fleet: nor Is it very clear
whether their claims have created Stun
bling block which cannot be surmounted
There are also indications of other difficult
ties. Thus, even if the congress meets,
months may probably pass before it solves
all OF the questions before it, and if the
Turks meanwhile evacuate varions points
in accordance with the treaty of San Stefa-
no, and Russia proceeds to carry out the
various constitutional reforms prescribed
therein, the Congress will every day be con-
fronted by nearly accomplished fact. But
the Russians are not likely to stay the exc
cution of the treaty till after the Congress,
as that would be an indirect admission Of
the right of the powers to revise the treaty."
The Journal of st. Petersburg, while ex-
pressing the belief that the Congress will
soon meet, says that its assemblage will not
constitute a guarantee of peace, and if
the British. Cabinet really desires peace, and
at the same time expects greater advantages
for England by intimidating Russia, it is
playing dangerous game which will lead
not to peace, but to war. The negotiations
between Austria and Russia are not going
on very smoothly, and St. Petersburg cor
respondent says that Russia is ardent in
her desire to satisfy the just demands, but
Austria must not stick too tenaciously to
points which, not recognized before the
treaty OF San Stefano, are now declared Of
such importance or necessity The irrita-
ton in Roumania at the Russian occupation
of the country is becoming very strong, and
it must soon end either in an understanding
or an open rupture.
The calling out of the reserves in England
has been met with such unanimity that the
London Times expresses qualification at the
test OF the system. In Plymouth every man
on the roll has presented himself though
some of them had to abandon permanent
positions.
Russia has asked Germany to guarantee a
line of demarkation during the negotiations,
fearing that Turkey will permit the English
to occupy the forts on the Bosphorus.