The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-01-27

|
| on the terms of an armistice between the
bellicerents. lnasmuch as His Lordship
does not seem to be kept fully informed as
| to the instruments that are passed from
Power to Power in Eastern Europe this is
very positive declaration. He might have
said on Thursday that there was no such in
strument in existence as the memorandum
of Russia's terms, for he did not know that
it existed Yet it had been handed
about from Berlin to Vienna and
Constantinople for several days previously.
Perhaps it is the same with regard to the
topic as to which Lord Granville inquired
But even if the declaration be accurate 1t Is
erroneous to suppose, as some appear TO-
that this casts a necessary doubt on the
conclusion of peace. Agreement On the
bases of peace has been distinctly under
stood on both sides to be necessary pre-
liminary to the suspension of hostilltles
An armistice in the ordinary course is
agreed upon that the belligerent Powers
may discuss the terms OF peace
and make treaty. But in this
case the course was slightly different Rus
STA, apprehensive of delay, refused to sus-
pend hostili.ies for mere discussion of
terms that might end in disagreement She
required that there should be an exchange
of views without suspension of hostilities,
with the understanding that if it was found
that her terms were such as Turkey could
accept then there should be q cessation of
hostlities for the formal elaboration of a
treaty and whatever else the case might in
volve. In pursuance of that plan the out
line already published was agreed upon,
and its existence determines the further
course of the negotiation In that instru-
ment is the substance of the treaty. 1t is
necessary only to give that substance
proper diplomatic form
But perhaps the Russian armies will not
Immediately evacuate the Turkish terri
tory even upon the completion Of the in
strument, so far as the belligerents can
themselves complete it. There is another
important process, and the interest OF
Europe in the fate ofTurkey will once more
prove doubtful advantage by keeping the
Russian armies within her borders for many
months longer than they would be there if
she who was left to make her own war were
equally left to make her own peace.
1t is understood on all hands
that the peace now made between
Russia and Turkey must be ratified by the
European Powers. England has demanded
this persistently. Rather she has de-
manded to be heard in the negotiation as a
party to the peace; but as Russia has alto
gether out-mannuvred her on that head it
seems to be accorded that she shall have
formal opportunity of presenting her OBJ
jections in sphere where all the Powers
will meet by their representatives on equal
terms. If the treaty is to 60 before such
q body for ratification it is only
courteous to the body to suppose it posi-
BILE that it may disapprove Of the treaty.
And if it should where will Russia's case be
if her armies have been previously sent
home? An inquiry of this nature is sufi-
cient to show that the armies will stay
Not Muscovite soldier will leave the
Turkish soil until the fate Of the treaty is
beyond peradventure. Hard, indeed, is
the fate of the Moslem, when lie has no
friends but harder still his fate when he
has friends whose interest in how he is to
be cut up and what sauce he is to be served
with involves this consequence of indef-
nitely prolonged occupation.
Germany has shown peculiar interest in
the submission of Russia's treaty to the
other Powers. So far as her opinions are
known, however, it does not appear but
what submission by the ordinary channels
Of diplomatic communication would be re-
garded by her as sufficient. But that would
not be equally satisfactory in every quarter.
For the Powers directly interested in this
treaty-Germany Austria and Italy-had
given their assent to the terms in outline
before they were made public and
other Powers having no immediate
concerns of their own in the Levant
or desiring to avoid complicatio II,
civily express their admiration of it as
matter OF course. BY that method England
only would dissent, and her dissatisfaction
would be treasured till her opportunity
came But with the Powers assembled in
conference England would hope to get, and
doubtless would get, some support for her
views; while if outvoted her dissent would
be smothered, since as party to the con-
ference she would be bound by it's action.
Russia and England will therefore equally
prefer the settlement by conference.
That conference, if one is really assem-
bled, may be of great importance in
the history of Europe. 1t will GER
tainly be remarkable by this one fact
alone if it sees this great chronic, ever
recurring trouble of the Ottoman Empire
renee of England but in defiance OF her
will. 1t is only half century since Eng
land was the heart and soul of Europe in