The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1878-02-12
The Basis OF Peac. I'm ,h. Rat.

After much doubt and delay II Is An
nounced that the terms OF an armistios
based on the preliminaries of peace
have been accepted by the Porte aud
signed by the Russian command erin
chief and the Turkish delegates. This
is TO be followed by an immediate sus-
pension Of hostilities both in Turkey
and Armenia IL is interesting to note
the positions in which this action of
the principal belligerants leaves the al
lies OF Russia. The. Porte consents TO
the entire Independence of Roumsnia.
Servia and Montenegro, but tho quss-
ton OF an increase OF territory for
emancipated states appears To be A
yet an open one, which will probably
DO settled when the actual terms Of
peace will be discussed. The erection
OF Bulgaria into q principally places
her in the same relation to the Porto A
Roumania and Servia occupied before
the war-that is, the frontier OF Tur-
key proper is moved southwark to the
line Of the Balkans from its old line of
the Danube. Herzegovina and Bosnia
are TO have q reformed system OF gov
eminent under the Porte, which will
guarantee the inhabitants against the
expressions and outrages which drove
them into insurrection. The fact thai
these provinces will be almost sur
rounded by independent states, and
that the principally Of Bulgaris will
lie between them and the territory Of
Roumslia, affords them . protection
which will eventually become a guar
anty OF their independence, because,
IN hau he -
troops against them would be the
cause OF reopening all the questions
settled by the war just ending. So
far. therefore, the slavic states have
been effectually rescued from Turkish
rule by the success OF the Russian
arms.
But the relations OF Russia end Tar
kew are by no means settled by the ar
mistice, although Turkey comedies ell
the demands Of the conqusror. The
questions that will arise in the oonfsr-
ence proposed by Austria and accepted
by the European powers will be Of the
gravest interest, aud Q solution OF the
eastern question is by no means assusr
ed. When we consider that Russia
aims at accomplishing that which
would necessarily prove fatal to Tur-
key, and which will be strenuously op-
posed by England-nanely, the open
ing of the Dardanellss to the free pss-
sage of Russia's war and msrcsstils
navies-the prospects OF q lasting
peace do not look bright. Turkey.
shorn OF some OF her fsirest possss-
sions, utterly crippled by disastrous de-
feat, and demoralized by the mister
tunes that have overtaken her, has liz
tie to choose between her powerful en-
emy. Russia, and her exacting friend,
England. The one presses demands
that are in terrible accordance with her
while the other enforcss q
kind OF resistance to these, which,
while beneficial to English interests,
means simply destruction TO Turkey
The significant removal TO Greek va
ters OF the Turkish deet, under the
OF an English admiral, suR-
gests it possible surrender to England,
Who fears it may fall into the hands Of
Russia as part Of the war indemnify
claimed. Hence the rumor that q pro-
gramme for the seizure OF the feet 10
already prepared. Unable to use ID
for the purpose of part payment Of
the indemnity Turkey must submit to
loss of territory in Asia far greater
than il she vas able to redeem her OBJ
legations in money or ships. The
Greek complications only afford Eng
and the desired opportunity Of defeat
ing Russia's plan for acquiring q ready
made Black sea iron-clad navy. Hence
Turkey will be crushed between the
nillstones of fate represented by Rus
sian power and British interests. But
will Europe consent to q repetition Of
he coup OF Copenhagen Besides, il
he Turkish fleet becomes English
in the levsnt, does not Rus
Was small but effective feet in the
Black sea become Of considerable i'm
portance in case OF a reopening Of the
var, and her attack on the Bosphorus
md Constantinople?-[N. Y. Herald.