Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-01-30
The Terms of Peace.

SAYS they 'embody, IN fact, the claims
upon Turkey by the Conference at Con-
stantinople year ago, with such addi-
tons as Russia considers herself justified
in demanding as a special indemnity for
her sacrifices in waging the war, alter
her colleagues (including ElglanD sub
mtted to Turkeys rejection OF their col
lective demands" The separate articles
are considered as follows;
IL The autonomy OF Bulgaria. This,
of course. will be conceded; whether on
the plan applied TO the Christian popula-
ton of the Lebanon, or otherwise, is not
material point, so long as the Gov
ernor is Christian. The province, we
think, will be extended to include some
territory south % the Balkans, on account
of the massacres in the Phiiippopolis dis
trct in 1876.
ii A reformed administration for Bos
mia and Herzegovina, with Christian
Governor. This, like the former article,
has been indorsed in advance by the Con-
stantinope Conference, aad must be car
ried into effect.
Ill. Security for the better government
the other Turkish provinces. In prin-
ciple, This article is well enough; but it
will be found very difficult to cmbody it
in any practical form. the other Powers
will claim the right to modify it, and there
I;tt1 nt
be generally satisfactory.
". The independence of Roumna and
Servia. A change of form rather than Of
fact. which will be accepted both by Tur-
key and Christian Europe.
V. The extension OF the territory OF
Montenegro, including the seaport OF An
tivari, on the Adriatic. The only power
which might possibly be affected by this
change is Austria, and it can hardly mat
ter much to her whether the first harbor
south OF her own Dalmatian coast line be
Montenegrin or Turkish.
vi. The cession TO Russia of a part OF
Bessarabia. This undoubtedly means the
restoration of the boundary previous to
the Crimean War, including the Sulma
mouth OF the Danube. Ii the independ-
ence of Roumana be conceded, Turkey
will have nothing 10 do with this matter.
The territory will belong to Roumania,
which will be very 10th to part with it,
but cannot resist. England will undoubt-
edly enter protest; Germany and Austria
will not be particularly pleased; but the
pride of Russia centers on this one claim.
She has never lost an inch OF territory
without recovering it, sooner or later.
She will wait a generaton-a century
two centuries; but she never iorgets,
never misses her chance.
VII. The annexation of a part Of Ar
menia. Just how much Russia will de-
mand in Asia is still uncertain. 1t will
include Kars an5 Baum, but probably
not Erzerum and Trebzond, except as
security until the money indemnity shall
have been paid.
VIII. Indemnity for the expenses of
the war. One authority gives The sum as
ego. 900, 600, which lie about one-fiith OF
the actual expense, and, therefore, not
unreasonable. Nevertheless, in the pres
ent ruinous condition OF Turkish finances,
1t will prove TO be an intolerable burden.
Where is Turkey TO find the money? VIII
England prove herself true friend, at
last, by helping her to raise il f?
IN. Finally, the opening of the OAR
danelles to Russian vessels of war. This
article is expressly reserved FOR settlement
by conference of the Powers; hence it
may result in making both the Dardanel-
les and the Black Sea free to the vessels
of all nations. This would be the best
solution of the question. Russia is justified
in resisting her semi.imprisonment; yet
she will hardly be allowed the possession
OF an exclusive right which would add SO
greatly TO her offensive power.
The other points referred to in the re-
ports-the embarka,ion of part of the
Russian army at Constantinople, ETC.
are matters of minor Importance. and do
not call for discussion now. The substan-
tial terms upon which Russia will con-
cluds peace, aud which have been accept
ed by Turkey, are before the reader. In
regard to the advantages directly accru-
ing to Russia, they are moderate, and
cannot reasonably be resisted by Europe
The articles affecting the condition OF the
Christian population of Turkey may be
considered as having been already accept
ed. The annexation of territory will be
regarded with suspicion, and England
will undoubtedly employ all the resources
of her diplomacy in the attempt to curtail
them. But II will he hard to make the
world believe that her communications
with India are menaced by the transfer to
Russia of slice off the eastern edge OF
Armenia. We suspect that all the terms
set forth will be settled without much de-
lay or difficulty, except that concerning
the opening of the DArdaueIles. Here
there is a chance for long and wearisome
negotiations.