Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-01-14
From the Philadelphia Times.
England and the Russian Victory.


England and the Russian Victory.
In the present shattered condition of
Turkey. the carriage Of the Shipka Pass.
including the capture of the entire force
defending that very important strategic
position, may be regarded as necessarily
precipitating the Russian victory that was
hoped for after the fall OF Kars and that
confidently has been expected since the re-
duction OF Plevna. For some days it has
been an open secret that Russia was well
disposed to treat for temporary suspension
of hostilities. and the only reason for de-
lay in beginning negotiations has been the
doubt entertained as to her intentions and
the consequent difficulty experienced in ar
ranging for definite action a basis that
would be equally acceptable to the cabi-
nets of St. Petersburg. Berlin and London.
The Russian theory, as propounded yes
terday In dispatch from Vienna. compre-
bends an armistice to be settled by the
commanders Of forces In the field and not
by plsnipotentiaries General Radetxky
evidently has vigorous comprehension of
how an armistice ought to begin) and this
proposition has received tacit support at
Berlin. The point OF this arrangement
obviously 10. that, under stringent military
pressure. the Turkish generals could be
forced, whilst nominally treating for an
armistice, actually to commit their gov
eminent to ruinous terms of peace; that
the peace for which the armistice Is sup
posed to pave the way really would be
concluded before the armistice was begun.
England has opposed this scheme most
bitterly. and for cause. The very essence
Of the English policy has been to stay out
of the war and come in for the spoils OF
the peaee-the reverse Of her policy in re-
gard to the campaign on the Crimea-and
If the peace practically should be conclud-
cd in this out-of-hand fashion. her really
statesmanlike waiting will be beaten by
superior craftsmanship operating through
sheer brute force. A Berlin dispatch,
printed yesterday, contained an admission
on the part of Russia that there "are
limits TO her claim of a seperate settle
ment;" but when this admission was
made RadetEky's command still was en-
camped on the northern declivity Of the
Balkans, and the Shipka Pass was not. as
1t now is. an open way to Constantinople.
Radetzky's brilliant victory puts Russia in
. position 80 much stronger than that &C.
cupied by her when the propositions
in regard to an armistice were first made
that . well-grounded doubt may be
entertained as to whether she will not
be inclined to refuse any temporary peace;
to press her army on upon the Turkish
capital. and to make the "limits" of her
"clAim Of separate settlement" 90 broad
that the compulsory acceptance of them
on the part of the Porte will end the Otto
man rule in Europe. That these only are
possibilities of course is recognized; but
they are possibilities which rest upon q
reasonably substantial foundation. Be-
side the actual victory Of position gained
by the Russians by carrying the Pass, the
moral effect produced upon the Turks by
the overthrow of their second and last
really strong line Of defence must be tax
en- into consideration and the fact must
be borne in mind that the Turk is not slim.
uiatsd BY defeat to renewed exertions, but
only 10 weakened and cast down. Up to
this point the hope OF Intervention on the
part of England has tended TO buoy up
the falling hopes of the Sultsn's soldiers ;
but the limit when this hope will operate