The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-04-21
STILL PREPARING FOR WAR.
THE PROSPECTS or PEL CE IN THE EAST
NOT BRIGHTENING.

New Dincuit,e- Arising at Every stnse OF the
NegotIation--E England and Russia SIN Con-
tinuing Hostile Prepnrnttons-Taik OF n
Preliminary Conference-A Zig Fleet.
LONDON, April 20.-The week closes with
the prospects Of the Eastern difficulty no bright
sr The belief that Prince Bismarck had con-
rived form OF invitation removing all obec-
ions and soothing all susceptibities seemed
% be corroboratcd nv news from Vienna that
ho Parliamentary business Of the Austro-
Hungarian Government was being pushed for
ward in order to set Count Andrassy at liberty
to attend the Congress; and in the sugges
hon that the powers should meet to consider
how in consequence OF the facts which occa-
stoned the treaty OF San Stcfano the treaties OF
1855 and 1871 should he modified II was hoped
had been found n recognition at once Of tho
subsisting authority Of the treaties for which
England contcnded and the claim OF Russia
that hcr achievements in the late war should be
respected. But. ms the Times says. however
hopeful such suggestions may appear. every
thing depends on the specific form in which
they are presented. and 1t seems that this has
not borne the test OF strict consideration. II Ia
possible that. "a the Times Berlin correspond
ent says. Russia still attaches some reserve TO
hor consent to discuss all the clauses OF the
treaty OF San Stefano. and that she cannot be
brought to recognize distinctly the claim Of the
great powers to u voice in all new arrangements
which affect the Eastern question.
The Ddilv Ne,cs ~. Petersburg correspond
ent throws the responsibility OF the alleged
failure OF the German mediation on England.
In having rejected the proposal OF Germany.
which Russia accepted. that Congress should
bc summoned to revise the treaties OF 1856 and
1871. and again insisted on her original cond-
10, To ha g. f,, hat
new difficulties have arisen. Negotiations. II is
said continue. and may still lead TO u satisfac-
tory result but the present delay shows that the
former divergence OF view Is again apparent.
The situation in and around Constantinople
attracts much attention. The Times Vienna
despatch says: The Ministerial crisis is
viewed with misgivings as capable OF introduc
Ing disturbing element into the negotiations.
Whatever may be the course OF the crisis. and
whatever may have so suddenly determined its
final issue, the removal Of Ahmed Vefyk Effendi
is sufficient 10 indicate the character OF the
change. II would nevertheless. perhaps. be
premature 10 say that Russian influence has
now become paramount in the Cabinet. IL
rather looks as though the object OF the change
had been TO check the two extreme tendencies.
and. nt the same time. the friction thereby
caused between them in the Cabinet. IL the
decision OF the struggle between England
and Russia for influence in Consttntino-
Tho relative position OF the two can scarcely be
said to remain unchanged. since. with Ahmed
Nefyk Effendi rs Premier. England had the key
OF influence In the Cabinet and was thus as It
were. in possession. Now, however this secu-
some danger that II, IN their. endeavor to pre-.
ycnt a collision. the new Ministers should
make some concessions TO Rpsia, the British
Embassy may be the last to know thereof. A
far wider field is thus opened TO suspicion and
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. and. consequently. to ac-
The Pera correspondent OF the Times. writing
on the militia situation at the Turkish capital.
position that the Turks would fight to, keep the
Russians out Of Constantinoplc. they have
9t distinctly made up their minds to do
on the part Of the Turks TO resist Russian oc-
cupation. it does not appear that the 10000 Otto
very well that il they wait 10 make a coup dc
them will be much heavier than II they make II
beforehand, They have everything nj their
command-force. money. diplomacy. and in
trgue. II does not require very lively imaRi-
nation to conceive how. when Russia has made
up her mind that II T. necessary to come into Into
restlessness in the Russian camp is increasing
every day. The temper Of the whole camp is
one Of almost irrepressihle fretfuness Any
thing is better than to sit still rottng in nth.
dreaming vainy OF home and watching death
sowing and reaping; and. according to reports
which | believe 10 be true the peaceful spirit
has fed from the camp, and the idea Of war is
again welcome. With this spirit ahroad-and.
less reflective or irresponsible ranks Of the
army-it must not be overlooked that the temp
talions to coup de main are very great
Nothing Is known in San Stefano OF the recall
Of the Grand Duke Nicholas from the command
OF the army.
An order is officially published in St. Peters
burg To- day that the necessary number OF men
he called out from tho naval reserve 20 form
three corps OF sailors for service in the fleet.
two of which are 10 be stationed at Cronstadt.
and the third at Niceoaisii
say that preliminary conference should be ac
ceptcd as means Of ascertainng the real in
ientions OF England
The Paris newspaper publish telegram from
Berlin. dated to-day. declaring that England
and Russia have agreed TO the principle OF the
simultaneous withdrawal of the British fleet
OF Constantinople. but the points To which they
will withdraw are not decided uEon.
The Central Ners says: The Indian Govern
v"yance OF troops from India. three Of which are
taken for three months. their primary destina-
tion being Port Said. The other two are en-
gagged for two months. These are the St Asaph.
celebrated Australian steamer ot $500 tons
burden. capable Of transporting 5000 men. and
the Sankln. Of $500 tons. capable OF carrying
The United Serrice Gazette weekly. issued to-
DAY. says that II has good reason for saying that
thtre Win be strong combined Channel and
Baltlc neet formed during the next two months.
- Inc Ayence hnSse mentions the news that
Germany has proposed the withdrawal OF the
huss ian iur9ols and British fleet from Constn-
tnople, Without confirming or contradicting
this news. II says. II correct 1t shows that an
important phase Of the negotiations has now
nneen reached. under Germany's powerful in
The Vienna 4bepd Post the evening edition
oi lhe OWc'di Jomndi, also mentions the above
new, ana adds Public opinion consequently
cilHsiqers the prospects Tor the Congress- de-
sluely more favorable. despite to-day's less
nary questions.