The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-01-31
Important Foreign News.

Ic H~N - iiutN 'JOI-ClntiuCplE iit>t Wcch
was most important The Porte having
accepted the Russian proposals, an armistice
unsupported soon to follow. which, putting
stop to the Russian advance towards
Gallpoli, or Constantinople, would avert
all necessity for the step proposed by En-
gland of landing force at Gallipoli for its
protection.
The conditions agreed to include the fol-
lowing provisions Servia to be independ-
ent, without compensation Montenegro to
receive Antivar, Nicsics and Spuz, and u
portion of the territory bordering on Lake
Scutari to hold Batoum. Kars and Ere
roum until a war indemnity Of twenty mil
lion pounds is paid the Dardanelles to be
opened to Russian men-of war; Bulgaria
to extend to the Balkan mountains, but not
to include Thrace; Bulgarian autonomy to
be conceded on the principal Of the Lebanon
rather than on the plan of the Constantine
pie conference, and Turkey to no inmate
Christian Governor for long term of years,
subsequently to ratification by the Powers !;
part OF the Russian army to embark at
Constantinople for home; and the final
treaty OF peace to be signed at Constanti-
nople by the Grand Duke Nicholas.
The excitement in London growing ous
OF the supposed position OF the Govern
mcnt in regard to the Eastern question was
great. 1t seems certain that tine Earl of
Carnarvon, Colonial Secretary, and Lord
Derby, Foreign Secretary, have rendered
their designations. Perhaps the former has
been accepted, but Lord Derby will proba-
bly, remain. The designations were induced
probably by the knowledge that the Govern
ment was about to take steps which could
not fail 70 lead to war, and which Lords
Derby and Carnarvon are not yet prepared
to admit is unavoidable. The instructions
to the commander OF the British fleet are
not that a force shall be landed but that it
shall be held i'll readiness to land on the
receipt OF authentic information Of Russian
force advancing on Gallipoli. The recep-
ton OF the terms of peace by the British
Cabinet las already effected change in the
orders to the commander of the British
fleet, and the vessels will stop at the mouth
OF the Dardanelles. In the House OF Lords
the Prime Minister explained that in order
ing the fleet to the Dardanelles the desire
was to protect British interests alone, but
since the receipt of the Russian proposal
orders had been sent to the Admiral to re-
| main in Besika Bay.
The Earl of Carnarvon made a full ex-
PLANTATION OF his reasons for reSigning,
which were the orders for moving the fleet,
which he felt was violation of the princi-
pies OF neutrality hitherto governing the
Cabinet. The Eail Ct Beaconsfield made Il
reply, stating that the orders to the fleet
were only given when it was felt that Brit
ish interests were endangered by the adj
vance OF the Russian troops toward Gallpo-
and Constantinopie.
| The Pail Mall Gazette considers the Rus
| sian terms as hard as they could we'll be,
and amount to a virtual destruction of the
Turkish Empire and u reduction CT the
Sultan to the condition of Russian vassal.
| If the designations OF Lords Derby and
Carnarvon are withdrawn we may conclude
| that no efficient resistance will be made by
England to whatever agreement the Gar
and Sultan may come to.
1t seems to be destiny that the Turkish
Empire in Europe shall be wiped out Born
and baptized in BLOOD and fed on rapine,
cruelty and tyranny, it is thoroughly in.
compatible with modern civilization Its
end approaches as the Cars soldiers come
nearer and nearer to its seats of central
authority, and the oppressed Christian pop
| uation rise up behind them to assert their
freedom. Fifty years ago it was said that
the Turk must leave Europe. Since then
he has held Servia, Romania and Herze-
govina under bondage, but the course of
events almost drove him from the soil of the
Principalities before Russia undertook the
missionary war. Russia must free these
provinces, and if the Turks are still allowed
to live in Europe it will be as servants in
stead of masters.
The terms OF peace are regarded as sim
ply preiiminares that are to be enlarged
upon when the international Convention
Assemblies to decide the fate of the sublime
Porte and the partition of its European DO
minons.
These are the opening of the Darlanelles
to free navigation, the permission of the
Russian fleet to pass from the Black Sea
into the Mediterranean, the extension of
Russian domain in Armenia, the possible
naturalization of Constantinople as Il free
city under the guarantee of the Great
Powers and the independence Of the pro-
vinces formerly tributary to the Porte
That there must be a sweeping readjust-
ment of the political map in Eastern Eu-
rope is beyond question. and that it means
the downfall of the barbarian power intro
duced on this side Of the EuNine over fou:
hundred years ago is equally certain, His
tory will record the epoch OF 1877 and 1878
as being as productive OF great changes as
the era in which Atohammedanism estab-
iished itself in Europe, and as q peri
oJ in Which the wrongs OF centuries were
righted and nations released from q blight
ing tyranny.
The question of supplies in the British
House of Commons having become Il purely
party question by lacking vote CT conf |
dence along with it, the Governments po-
sition is thought to be weakened. Party
drill will induce many to oppose the vote d |
confidence who would have made no obiec- |
ton to the supplies. on the other hand,
there is danger that the Cabinet will be |
strengthened by a decided majority and
take u hostile attitude that will force Lord
Derby to resign Advces from CONSTANT
nople report the concentration of Russians
at Adrianople, and that scouts have arrived
at Charu, about seventy miles west of Con-
stantinople, There are ten British IRON
clads in Besika Bay, The Turkish Govern |
ment is having difficulty in maintaining o.
der in the capital. Among the refugees
there arc many armed Ciroasssans, who
have been engaged in plundering the vii
Constantinople laden with booty, and any
attempt to disarm them will give rise to dis
turbances. Appalling misery prevails from
the Bospborus to the Gulf Of Salonica-
The whole coast is crowded with terrified
Mahommetlans seeking transportation
Hundreds are pershing from hunger and
restitution, and no sucoor is possible.
The English Chancellor Of the Exchequer
Tuesday said that be had no knowledge OF
an alliance between Russia, Germany and
Austria for the partition CT Turkey, and in
timated that Austria was in accord with
Great Britain.
The Legislature.
The p.oeee iings of the legislature have
been dull and uninteresting, and scarcely
worth reading. In the Senate last Friday Mr..
Koiner advocated the passage of q bill which
nronoses tn mal- tha 1aht ,u,, For 40 1,oorr