The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-04-19

Our correspondent at st. Petersburg
gives us in a special despatch published
this morning a summary Of the political
situation, as defined by General lgnatlen
during an interview had with that distin-
guished diplomat. The position OF Eng
land he regards as an attitude of menace,
without an intention to fight. That OF
Austria is one Of hesitancy, with desire
to find some excuse for agreeing with
Russia. French sentiment, the General
suggests, leaned somewhat toward England,
but the desire Of the President and the
chiefs of the army to- ''keep on good terms
with Russia serves to maintain French
neutrality. Italy, also one OF the signatory
Powers interested in the Treaty OF Paris,
finds it advisable to avoid any entangle-
ments and is regarded by Russia as prob
able locker on in any event. AS to the
prospects of II Congress General Ignatlef
says the chances of an understanding are
gradually but slowly increasing The pos
sibility that arbitration may again be en-
ployed as means Of settling the differences
between England and Russia is suggested.
but not very hopefully. In word, the re-
lations between the principals in this quar-
rel remain unchanged. and the labors Of
the peacemakers are as yet rewarded with
very little success. Russia is, undoubtedly,
willing to refer the questions at issue to the
formal consideration Of the European Pow
ers; but England, either because of Interior
plans or Of a feeling that a decision favor
able to Russia would be given by a Congress.
taxes no conciliatory step, and, indeed, by
her ostentatious preparations invites war.
This policy may fatter the pride of Hyde
Park enthusiasts and patriots, but it also
serves to demonstrate that England's pre-
tended solicitude for European interests is
based on the narrow foundation Of her own.
The expected changes in the Turkish
Ministry have at last been made, and in o
manner calculated to create much specula-
ton as to the results. Ahmed vefyk Effendi,
President Of the Council has been summa-
rily dismissed by the Sultan, and Sadyk
Pacha appointed his successor. Although
the deposed official had rendered hts resig-
nation and urged its acceptance the Sui
tan refused it up to few hours before he
took the extraordinary course of dismiss
ing his Minister. The reconstructed
Cabinet of the Porte includes several
names unknown to fame; but we notice that
Safvet Pacha, the man who openly de-
nounced the duplicity Of the British For
eign Office, both before aud during the
war, with regard to Turkey, is given the
portfolio Of Foreign Affairs. The deposition
Of the Sheik-ul- Islam and the appointment
to that important Office of Mollah Bey indi-
Gates that the Sultan is striving to break
from the influences Of extremist advisers
and to secure compromise Cabinet.
What the new policy of Turkey will
be is highly important to the solution Of
the present difficulty. If the Turks side
with either England or Russia they may
precipitate the war which it is their interest
to avoid. True, they are under the shadow
of Russia's power, and would be crushed
utterly if they assumed again an attitude
OF hostility, but their ruin would enkindle
the flames Of o war that must become Euro
pean, because it takes the efforts Of all
Europe to avoid it.