New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-01-25
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also the amazing, the deplorable, outburst IN to-
days Standard 1t is there that the evidence OF the
last attempt OF Lord BeacOnsteld is to be sought
This last or if not last, latest attempt nothing
less than attempt to persuade the English public
that the last victory of Russiathe capture of the
Turkish Army at Shipka-s an act Of treachery.
We are asked to believe that an armstice had been
concluded before the Russian attack was made;
that orders had been sent from Constantinople to
the Turkish Generals TO stop hOstlities that SINH
lar orders had been, ought to have been sent to
the Russian Generals; and that the Russians have
gained amean advantage by pursuing hostties after
the time when by the laws of and the usages Of
civilized nations, they ought to have been suspended
We hear at the same time, from ConstantnOple, that
Lord Derby has telegraphed 10 Prince Gor;schakof
expressing his astonlshment at the delay on the part
of the Russi ian generals in accepting the aImistlce
Inc charge Is grave one If 1t be founded on fact
II would justly excite the Indignation which the
authors OF 1t intend to excite. But il is not founded
on fact the alleged facts not facts ;1bey are so
far from being facts that the accusation now brought
against the Russians is of the most wanton and
profgate attempts to delude public opinion which
have evcr-cven in the history of the last few
nOnths-been made.
A date or two disposes of the whole story. take
the date from the paper which brings the charge;
not that they differ from any other. but because
they must have been within the knowledge of the
writer of the article which they refute The Turk
Tuesday, the sh in a secret sitting of the Chamber,
and approved, either on that day the following,
by the Sultan. In any case, it was on the 9th that
a telegram was first sent by Reouf Pasha to the
Grand Dukes" as one Dispatch says. But the Russian
Headquarters in Bulgaria and Armenia can
hardly be supposed to be in direct tele-
graphic communication with Constantinople,
and the statement must be taken to mean that
orders were sent by Reouf Pasha to the Turkish
al tell N
commanders the desire of the Turks for suspen-
sion of hostities. Ii would take some time for the
Transmission of the telegram and some time for the
dispatch of flag Of truce. II we can suppose both
operations to have been instantaneous, the message
oonld not have reached the Russian headquarters
till some time during Wednesday. the 9th, the day
on which the order went from COnstan tlnOpe: and
il was on that day, Wednesday. the 9th, that tho
Turkish army at Shpka surrendered to General
RadetZky.
To suppose that dispatches from Constantinople
could have been transmitted to hostile head
quarters, and thence to an army actually at that
moment engaged with the enemy, IN season to have
arrested the engagement and prevented the surren-
der Of the Turks il to opose manifest absurdity
To suppose that q request for armistice is the
same thing as an armsticc, is to suppose
still greater absnrdity. The Turks are beat
en-; they sue for suspension of arms;
they offer certain terms and guarantees 10
induce their cOnqUeTOrs to grant their applications
those terms must be considered, perhaps modified;
and whether on these other terms, IL rests with
the victor o grant refuse the ar stce, and until
he grants il he may and must strain every nerve to
improve his military position, and pursue to the
utmost such advantages as he may have What
Ian yuaCc then IS sufficient 70 characterize charge
of treachery brought against the Russians in such
cir umstances aud based on such state Of hidden
facts Is this
Yet this Is what the Prime Minister of England is
reduced 20 In ms mad pursuit Of a preteXt for quar-
rel with Russia. II is by such means these that
The peace OF the ENGLISH Nation is more men,
accd TO describe them is TO condemn them. To
fnretel Fir failure requires talent for pTOphesy;
but 40 prophet would he hold enough to say before
what abyss of political infamy purpose which
seeks support in such manGUyres viii finally be
bIou ght 10 a halt. G.w.s.