New-York tribune., 1878-01-19
EUSSfA. 1URKAY IND ENGLAND.

The day of varieg gated opinion, baselcsS spec
ulation and wildly important rumor has come
aeain. The correspondents of the London press
in Paris, Vienna, Berlin and st. Petersburg, -
long shorn of their accustomed Importance, rush
to the front and strike sensational attitudes be-
fore the world slight diplomatic difference
is magniiicd into an imminent crisis neutral
powers are represented as assuming positions
Oh being about to make demands quite incom-
patbc with their previous course; and even
terms of peace, which were well understood
from the beginning. are set forth as new ana
disturbing elements in the coming negotiations
American readers need not be confused, II
they will compare the excitement and restless
ness of the reports from England with the
calm uncOnccrn of those from continental
sources. The accord between Germany and
Austlia. and the good understanding OF both
with Russia, still continue, and furnish the as
.urance of "A satisfactory solution of the new
questions which now arise. Russia's readiness
to treat for an armisticc is another tranquil
ling fact Until the terms of truce are known,
tLe situation NAV be called uncertain, but II is
very far from being critical.
Reviewing the war since its commencement,
nearly nine months ago, We find singularly
little in its history which was not anticipated.
II has given III, III fact, but single great
surpIisc-thc incOmprtcncy OF the Russian
commanders during last Summer. The Turk
ish resistance, we knew, would he fierce and
heroic but, once broken, it must give way
all along the line of defence. At present, We
have reached its end With Ezcrum about to
surrender; with Suleiman Pasha almost GER
tainly defeated before Phllippopolis ; with the
Turkish army resting Oh ShiDila held at bay
by that of the Czarcwitch, what shall check the
combined advance of Gh0urho and Radctzky !
The latest news from Roumclia, in fact, ndi-
cafes so rapid a movement on the part of the
latter. that he has already cut oil Sulciman
Pashas retreat 10 Adranoplc. One more blow
NAV sweep away the whole remainder of Otto
man defence between the Russian front and the
walls of the capital. We shall not be surprised
if Radctzky should be quartcrcd i'll Adrianopc
before an armstcc is concluded at Kczanlik.
This. therefore, is the all-impOitani iact-that
the great prize Of ConstantlnOple is virtually
assured To Russia, if she desires to grasp it !;
vet she palIscs in her victorious career, and
will stop far short of driving the Turk
from Emope Nothing could better illus
trate the absurdty of the repeated English
alarms. We have already stated, more than
once the probable Russian terms of peace, and
there is but one among thcm-thc opening Of
the Dardanelcs and the Bfnck Sca-wIth which
England has any concern.
The Queens speech at the opening Of PaIlia-
mcnt on Thursday, shows how completely the
late waIlike excitement has subsidized. The
defiant attitude Of the Government is now
subducd to the very safe If not very definite,
declaration that the Queen "cannot conceal
"from herself that, should hOStllities be unfor-
"tunatcly prolonged some unexpected occur
"rcnce may endcrit incumbent on her to'-what7
Too adopt measures of prccautlonW Ii is
true that she adds thereto her dependence on
the liberality of Parliament to supply the
means for such precautionary measures; !;
but this language will neither harm noI
frightcn. The questions OF Lord Harrington
and Mr. Gladstone drew from the Ministry the
admission that no further action would be
taken until the Russian conditions were known.
The position of England, therefore, is not
changed for we have several times be-
fore this heard the language OF vague
menace. Iostilites will not be prolonged
unless tho Ottoman Government is in
sane--nor is any unexpected occurrence"
likely to take place. The Queens speech