Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1878-02-05
RrssIA,s

The prsliminariss Of peace. so far rs
Turkey and Russia are concerned. have
been signed. and IL the two nations were
allowed to settle the deanitive terms by
themselves. no doubt peace would be
declared within thirty days. The Turks
are completely in the power OF the Car,
and all their struggles to gain even
reasonable terms. would be in vain.
Russia could enforce her demands to the
last letter, and We know from the past
that she Is pitilsss and utterly deaf to
all appeals OF justice from an enemy.
But fortunately for the Porte. tho mat
ter OF peace will not be left In the hands
OF the two bslligerents. The interests
Of all Europe. and especially OF Austria
and England. are so interviewer in this
Eastern question. and depend SO much
upon supporting at least the vestige OF
an Ottoman Empire. that the Great
Powers claim. and justly claim, the
right to be heard before any definite
terms Of peace are settled. This is the
only hope now left TO Turkey Of main
tanning her position a. q power in
Europe.
The terms which the Cxar demands as
q preliminary to q discussion Of peace
proposals by the Great Powers, show
that he fully understands what he will
have to grapple with when the Peace
Congress meets, and means to be pre-
pared to hurl defiance in tbs teeth OF all
Europe II need BE-. These terms have
been accepted by tho Sultan. and are
substantially
First-The erection Of Bulgaria into a
principality.
seeond-A war indemnity or territory
in compensation.
Third-The independence Of Roumania.
Servia and Montenegro, with increase oi
territory for each.
Fourth-Reforms in Bosnia and Her
zegcvinA.
Pifth-An Interior understanding be-
tween the Sultan and tho Car regarding
the DarJAnelles.
sixth Evacuation Of the Danubian
fortresses and Erzeroum.
1t will be seen that with the Dansbian
fortresses garrisOnsd by Russian troops,
Er,eroum in Asia controlled by the
Czar. and a vast army south Of the
Balkans and in the vicinity OF Cons,an-
tinople. Russia will 10 in a fine condi.
ton to meet her enemies, should Eu-
rope refuse to accede to her demands
and declare n This is what she has
been playing for during the past six
weeks. II was for this reason that she
refused to sign the armistice until her
troops we're all we'll placed. and the
evacuation Of the Quadrilatsral fort
rsssss and Erzsroum was agreed to by
the Porte. She has played her cards
well. aud Europe sees IL. Her game in
the future. however. must DO an open
one. and II is yet doubtful whether she
can win 1t.
The question Of the Dardanelles is
left open for Interior decision. This,
too, Is done from shrowd motives OF
policy on the part Of Russia. The Car
saw that England was becoming FESTIVE,
and that the war party was gaining the
ascendsncy. BY making no demand
for the Dardansllss for the present, she
strengthens the hands Of her own party
In Great Britain. AMI the effect was at
once apparent when the vote for supple
meniary credit was discussed in Parlia-
ment yesterday. Austria is evidently
considered. by Russia not worth concilia-
ton. With the Danubian fortrssses and
Ssrvia under her control, she has the
Emperor at a disadvantage, and Count
Andrassy evidently realizes, and Ia
alarmed at. the situation.
Russia's diplomatic victories through.
out the war have been grander and more
substantial than all her triumphs ON the
Geld Of battle. She has succeeded in
establishing herself on Turkish terri
tory in such a position that she Is pre-
pared to meet n general European Wal.
should one grow out OF the conference,
with q firm front. She entered the wal
with q determination TO secure control
OF the Black Sea. and new that she has
come so near the object Of her ambi
ton. she will not give 1t mp. without a
long and bitter strngcle. She has out
witted all Europe in tho cabinet, and
now 10 Europe wants to try conclusions
with her at arms. she is ready to meet
the challenge. What the result Of such
a contest would be. II Is difficult to
foresee.