The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-02-14
p, - - -
The War in the East.

The War in the East.
Since our last issue, events of a very im-
portant nature have transpired across the
waters. The Russians are near Con-
stantinople. the war with the Turks
is practically at an end, and the col.
lapse OF tie Ottoman Empire is complete.
Thursday last, England was ina state Of
the fiercest excitement since she grappled in
the war with Russia, nearly a quarter of a
century ago. The windows of Gladstone S
town house, and the Daily News office were
broken at night, by excited crowds, The
war spirit was on the rampage. The i'm
mediate cause OF the excitement was that
the English fleet had been ordered to Con
stantinoplc. Since then however compara-
tive calm has been restored, but it is far
from being permanent.
The London Times speaks approyingly
of the action of the Government in sending
war vessels to Constantinople. All danger
o. renewal OF the war is now over,
for Russia is practically master Of the
Turkish Capital. Nothing remains fol
England to he concerned about but
the due settlementn Of the terms OF
peace and the protection OF English
interest. Should Russia respect her honora-
BILE pledge to advance no further there is no
reason why the conditions of a permanent
peace should not be temporarily discussed
and determined at the Congress. No OBJ
lection to the presence of the English fleet
tConstantinople will be made by either Tur-
key or Russia. The latter will welcome the
fleet if the object is to cooperate in the
maintenance of order and the attainment of
durable and equitable peace. The Sultan
and the Grand Duke Nicholas are to have q
meeting at Tchataldis. Its now said that
the official text of the armistice was prepar-
ed last November, which accounts for the
mention OF Odessa and Seb..stopol, but the
preliminaries having been signed at Adrinn-
pie, the remainder of the negotiations will
be conducted there. Turkey now objects to
Montenegro's establishing the line of demar.
cation tor the armistice, and-a renewal Of
hostilites between Turkey and Mont cncsro
is imminent. aa-i,o. 15 DiiiIq 'ss
Later intelligence is of il more belligrnent
character. Turkey is now said to have re-
fused firman for the passage OF the British
fleet through the Dardanelles on the ground
that if the Sultan allows it the Russian forces
will probably occupy the city. This refusal
caused a hasty summons for Cabinet coun-
Gil in London, and Negotiations are in pro-
gress to obtain the tirman. Meantime the
fleet remains in Besika Bay. Dispatches
from st. Petersburg plainly threaten the oc-
cupation OF Constantinople If the fleets of
the other Powers are admitted. The Sultan
has invited the Grand Duke Nicholas to
spend few days in Constantinople. In the
House OF Lords it was stated by Lord Derby
that the difficulty would probably be over
come. Three other Powers had asked for
permission to admit their vessels into Turk
ish waters. s.....
Russia is determined to re-anncN Bessara-
bia, despite the protest Of Roumania. Prince
OoitSCHaAOu HaS uOlliicu Iuc IOWcTS tIdt
the determination Of Great Britain and 9TH
er Powers to send ships to Constantinople
for the protection Of their subjects had oblig-
ed Russia to contemplate the entry of a por-
ton OF its troops into Constantinople for the
protection of Christians, whose lives and
property might be threatened. This entry
will be made in a peaceabie manner.
Positive orders have been given 10 the
Russian troops to enter Constantinople. 1t
is understood that the British fleet will pro-
coed to the Dardanelles, though there is no
statement that firman has been granted.
1t is believed that the Porte will propose, as
compromise, the admission of two vessels
Of each OF the Powers that have applied for
firmans.
The news OF last night is of very unsatis-
factory character. Some rumors report the
Porte as ready to grant the iirmans, whilst
another report declares that he has given Or
ders to fire on the English fleet, if an attempt
is made to force the passage. The Russian
and small detachment OF troop
have already entered Constantinople, and