Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-01-04
The Eastern War.
TIE PROPOSED ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS o
PEACE.

Yesterdays dispatch to the London Times
from Vienna points out that by admitting that
Russia may negotiate separately the Powers
recognize the privileged position She has so long
claimed 10 the settlement of the Eastern ques
ton, and to cancel which was one of the msln
objects, if not the chief one, Of The Treaty OF
Paris. The dispatch says by allowing Rus
sis to take UPON herself the enforcement OF car
tain things upon Turkey The Powers have 10
deed already taken great step in this direction,
but SO long as Europe upheld the principle that
no negotiations could be carried Oh between the
beiligeren,s theus ,lves, this privileged poslrloo
assumed by Russia would cease the moment
negotiations began. If, on the contrary, the
principle of separate negotiations Is admitted,
an exceptional proposition is thereby sanction.
ed, and it becomes only question how Tar this
exceptional position is to extend. The firm
ground is abandoned, ard in spite of all reser
vations the powers have given up their right OF
participating 10 the settlement of the question.
Tho disinclipalion shown BY the British Gov
ernment to encourage separate negotiations Is
an indication that it Was aware OF the import
aucs of the principle at stake. Still, as the
principle, which is European one, and could
only acquire validity BY the joint will of all. or
at least most of the Powers, has been abandon
ed by all except England. there remains but
the alternative for England either TO dispute
single.haoded the claim Of Russia or to follow
the example of the other Powers and make res
crvatiops on paper or secure guarantees. We
hear from St. Petersburg that the intercourse
between Prince Gorsohakof, the Russian For.
eigu Secretary, and Lord L?ftus, the British
Ambassador, 90 this matter. has been OF the
most friendly character. and that the teegraphic
reply sent from ST. Petersburg was drawn up
Jointly BY them. As. fer all the reports that
the Porte has already come to the resolution OF
accepting the armIstice 10 principle, they seem
to be premature. 1t is not likely that anything
decisive will be done uutil Russia's reply has
been officially communicated by England. The
decision Of Turkey will no doubt depend 10
great measure on the decision Of England.
The Times 10 ,s leading editorial article says:
"Ooce more in the midst of disauieting rumors
we have the satisfaction to report reassuriDg
statement made by one of the Ministers, and
at the present moment it ought to be regarded
az 6oally deciding the position assumed BY this
couolry. We may interpret his words Is mean
log at least as much as they say, and rs an 10.
mistakable expression of the present view of
the Ministry. What then, is the upshot Of
the Earl OF Carnarvon's speech? 1t is az en-
phatic-a peculiarly mphatic-reiteration OF
the neutral policy which the Ministers on all
responsible occasions have again and again as
serted. This decisive declaration has been made
not at all too 5000, but it ought to terminate
6ua!Iy the alarm and excitement by which the
public have recently beoo disturbed. For this
purpose it should be only necessary TO add q
single consideration to the Earl Of Carnarvon' S
statement. 1t this is the deliberate judgment
of . member OF the Cabinet. is it conceivable
that any less decisive opinion can be entertained
By the nation az whole ? If there be any dis
position anywhere to enter this war, if insanity
of such kind anywhere prevails, it is to be
found, beyond question, 10 the Conservative
rather than the Liberal ranks, and if the Earl
OF Carnsrvon cannot conceivea repetition OF the
policy of the Crimean war BY his Own party, is
it for moment be supposed that the other
half of the nation would entertain It 1t should
be clearly understood that the most earnest and
energetic section Of tho community is prepared
to at dscisvely, without waveriug. in 50 pport
of the principles laid down by the Earl of Car
pargou. Let It be understood. once for all, that
the most responsible leaders 10 both parties
deem the policy Of the Crimean war so obsolete
that it would be insanity to revive it, and there
viii be an end Of the present urjusti6abe
scare.
The Standard says the public will scarcely be
surprised to learn that the Government is un.
able TO coincide 10 the opinion that 90 material
change has occurred in the situation. England
cannot, with due regard to our interests, accept
the position claimed by Russia. that the terms
OF peace are a matter for settlement between
the latter aud Turkey, subject only to rat6ca-
ton by Europe. The Standard argues that if
this claim is allowed We may be declared from
Interfering in' the defence Of our Legitimate in
terests, except under very serious dsadvaDt.
ages.
A dispatch to the. Vienna Political Cores
pondenco from Bucharest states that short
time ago the Turks attempted to open conf.
dental negotiations with the Russian head.
quarters for an armistice The attempt was
unsuccessful, as the Russians considered that
they ought to receive 40 equivalent for the ad-
vantages which the Porte would derive from
being able to organiz, its forces during the arm
istice.
ST. PETERSBURG, Jan. 4.-The semi Official
Russian agency says: The reply to the British
inquiry on behalf of the Porte stated that the
decisions and acts of the imperial policy are still
guided By the Two paramount considerations OF
putting an end to the constantly recurring dis
turbauces, and avoiding complications BY re.
spectipg the interests of third parties. As.
surapces satisfactory to the British government
and people were given concerning Eoglish
interests Immediately they we're made known.
These interests are DO more menaced now than
then for, although Russia then reserved The COD
tingeucy of being compelled By military necesSi
ties to obtain peace under the wall oil Constantine
pie it depends upon England to avert the conlin
genoy BY divesting the Porte of any illusion re.
speeding Englisb support. 1t is evident if the
Porte has ground to hope that the entry Of the
Russians ioto Constantinoplc would cause Eng
land to intervene. it would do everything to
bring about that contingency by refusing any
conditions of peace.
TIE WAR NEWS.
The London Times correspondent at Buclla.
rest telegraphs as llows:-"The opening of
between the Servians add the |
Russian army of the Vid is very important. as |
the latter can draw supplies from the former |
when they are required 10 consequence of the |
of communications across the Dan
abe. / be river is not frozen over, aRd the flow |
If iee ia intermittent Ii desccnds for ten or