The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-01-13
UHiTIs GoING ON ~ EUROPE.

Inc European news Tor the past week
has been quite exciting. Victor Emanuel has
died. the Shipka Pass has been taken and all
sorts Of wild rumors about an armistcc and the
relation between the Russian and English Cabi-
nets have been hourly pouring in.
This new success OF the Russians has al the
aspect OF a final blow inflicted upon the armies
Of tho Sultan. The capture Of some thirty
thousand men and another hundred guns is.
in the present condition Of Turkey. Of greater
advantage 10 Russia than would be the seizure
Of Sophia or even Of Adrianoplc. The London
press sounds the alarm. and declares that the
hour is close at hand when the Eastern qucs-
ton will have 10 be settled once and forever.
The regiments Of the Gar are marching on
Adrianoplc. and the terrified population Of
that city flying in all directions. Some weeks
ago it was predicted in these columns that no
peace negotiations would take place until
Adrianople was taken. and it appears now that
the Grand Duke Nicholas has demanded the
surrender OF that city as the first condition Of
an armistice-
On the Scrvian frontier. too. tho Turks have
suffered very materially. The capture of Nissa
means practically n complete isolation of the
fortress Of Widdin. probably its speedy sur
render. and large extension OF the territory
from which the Russian and Roumanian armies
can draw supplies.
From the various contradictory rumors con-
corning the terms Of the armistice no satisfac-
tory concuson can yet be drawn. The only
thing evident is that Turkey and England are
DESTROYS that the temporary truce should be
agreed upon without any reference 10 the terms
Of peace. while Russia seems disposed TO refuse
10 enter into any negotiations before certain
fundamental points are agreed upon.
There can be no doubt that 10y Thursday next
when the British Parliament is to meet. the real
state Of affairs will have become clearer. 1t
would be impossible for the Cabinet to remain
any longer silent with regard to the Eastern
question. There are reports ahoat which have
not as yet been officially contradicted that Lord
Beaconstcld has induced the Queen TO open
Parliament in person, and that her Majesty :
speech will contain the full programme Of the
Government. The basis Of this programme
seems to b, The purchase Of Egypt. 1t is further
said that should the Prime Minister fail in car
rying this point. he will propose the purchase
OF the island OF Crete. as giving the English
fleet control of the Dardancllcs. Anotlerrumor
is that Lord Beaconsncld intends 10 send ten
thousand men 10 Gallipol to fortify it and
make Of it n second Gibraltar This canno, be
done without Parliament voting considerable
sum Of money. which the Premier intends to
demand on the ground that, unless GAllipoli is
SO occupied and fortified some e3 600 600 Will
have TO Ice added to the annual navy estimates
for the protection If the route 10 India If Russia
s able 10 make as she proposes, Russian lake
out Of the Black sea
Oi all these rumors the ono concerning the
purchase Of Egypt appears the most plausible
II is reported that the condition and terms u
the purchase have boon discussed and arranged
both with tho Sultan and the Khedivo. and it
IS argued that il will he far cheaper for Great
Britain to lay out its money in this way than 10
waste both life and treasure in supporting the
Turks 10y an armed Intervention. Moreover.
her Majesty Minister'S seem 10 have satisfied
themselves that the money SO employed viii he
we'll ana probably invested. and thatthc Esyp-
tan revenues will yirlda surplus when they
are managed by Englishmcn. much more than
sufficient To pay the interest upon the sum
80 invested. English credit euarnutecin,
Egyptian loans Will also II is SUPPOSED. cnnbe
IN" interest on the existing debt Of Egypt TO be
largely reduced
II should be added here that tho general be-
llei Is that the Queen WIS among the first 10
conceive this idea. AMI Ia suggest 1t
to her Ministers in n letter which WAS
road at n Cabinet council This statement
should. Of course, be accepted with some re-
servo, for tho intimacy between the Queen and
her Prime Minister has been SO great Of late
That there Is ample reason for surprising that
he induced her To accept his idea as II il had
bcen her own. Lord Braconsneld has been more
than once found using the Queens name for the
purpose OF iurthcring his own views. Mr. Bright
said Of him, that he WAS i" fond OF shetering
himself behind the robes OF the monarch" No
body supposesthat ho docs this from cowardlce.
quite the contrary it is audacty Lord
Bcaconsncld's design WAS to intrude tho notion
OF the power Of the sovereign into tho public
mind and to make it a familiar conception. with
view TO its unchhengcd use should an oc-
casion present tsclf OF character appealing to
his idce OF policy and to his theatrical method
Of working.
Tho Daily Nors Of London has just given n
vefy curious explanation Of the substance and
innermost meaning Of Lord BeaconsAeld's East
crn policy:
AsHn English politician. Lord Resconsncd has bee
IN" most inconsistent Of men lie has PLAYED with
lAtucs AMI principles scarcely affecting To spcct m
Or 40 anything but use them Tor his own ends But
real consistency and st,ndineNs The lion which he
mounts. " apply phase used Lord Pamcr.ion
!. not the hrush Ion 5nt the lion OF Judah mike tho
enid III WoTdswoIths poem IN JoaIneyins further nom