The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1878-04-12

The news from Europe looks squally,
and the political baromets n drops day
by day. The storm may blow over:
but, If the two Powers prin-
cipally involved keep approach
ing each other at dangerous points Of
Incidence much longer at the rate they
have moved for few days past, they
will find themselves where they can not
retreat, and 1.-THE guns will 90 of Of
themselves. Reviewing the ground Of
the past fortnight, il will be remembered
that, after the official text Of the Treaty
Of San Stefano was received, the En-
glish Government demanded that every
article in hat treaty should be placed
before the Congress In such a name
that il might be considered what arti-
cles required the acceptance Of the sew
eral Powers, and what articles did not
Russia promptly replied that she would
only agree To a discussion BY the Con-
gress Of those portions Of the Treaty di-
rectly affecting Europe, and, rs is shown
b. the diplomatic correspondence for
the first time, Austria refused 10 sup
port England's demand. T%hereupon
Germany withheld the invitations TO the
Congress, which was equivalent TO an
abandonment Of il altogether. In
this critical situation, the English Gov
eminent announced its intention to
call ont the reserve, the proclamation
for which will be issued tomorrow.
Russia, regarding this ~ a hostile act,
addressed n note 10 the Porte demand
ing the dismissal Of the British fleet
from the neighborhood Of Constantine
Pile. Ia accordance with the instruc-
lions If his Government, Mr.. Layard,
the English representative al Constan-
tinople. replied that the fleet would not
leave until the Russian forces had de-
parted from the vicinity Of the city,
and this Was followed by orders 10 the
Admiral commanding the Mediterra-
mean fleet TO patrol the D~ardaneIles and
Bosphorus. with or without Turkish
consent. Thus the situation stands
now. When the English fleet enters the
Bosphorus, in violation Of the treaty Of
1886. the Russians may be expected to
seize and fortify Constantinople and
GallipoIi What thenP Either wal or
an ignominious breakdown by one Of the
two Powers. That Russia, flushed with
victory, in occupation Of the battle
ground, and never in such a condition
for war AZ now, should withdraw, would
seem a. be one Of the impossibilities.
England, Notwithstanding all her pre-
partitions and buster, may withdraw
without injury to her ~ propre. In
case she does not, then the future re-
suit ~ the war hangs upon the action
81 Austria more than upon any Other
condition. 50 far rs the impulses for
action are now known, there Is no
probability that Austria will
engage in the war unless
her personal interests are violated. We
have already seen, by reference 10 the
diplomatic correspondence, which j.
just coming to the light, that Austria re-
fused 70 support England's demand
with regard 10 the Congress. Although
she has voted a war credit, and Igna-
tieff's mission il reported rs being a fail
ure, II does not follow that she will side
with England as against Russia and
provoke an European war, In which she
would be the worst sufferer, and expose
herself 70 di~integration. Germany will,
II necessary, hold her Off from an En-
glish alliance with a grip Of iron. She
owes that much 10 Russia, who kept
Austria out Of the field in the Franco