Daily Kennebec journal., 1878-01-02
The Eastern Difficulty.
COMMENTS OF THE PRESS ON
THE PROSPECT.
WHAT MAY BE EXPECTED FROM
n @THE ANSWER TO ENG-E
EafsH LANDS NOTE. :
A Rnmor that the Porte Has Decided
to Accept an Armistice.
DOINGS OF THE PEACE PARTY IN con
STANTINOPLE.

LONDON, January |. The Pail Mall Gazette in
leading article commenting on the supposed
Russian answer to Englsnd's note, says:
1t is what most people expected, aud it will be
more profitable to consider what is likely to fol-
low than to fling augry words at what was well
foreseen. We may now expect the strongest
pressure to be put on Turkey to make peace out
right with her foe. We suppose a re-settlement
OF the Eastern question by Russia and Turkey is
not thought desirable by an Englishman who un-
derstands the tenure on which our Empire is held,
nor is 1t conceivable that England can with safety
allow the acquisition Of the Black Sea ports, and
the ratification of Asian frontiers to be made while
she remains mute.
1he Vienna correspondent referring to Russia .
reply to the English note concerning the opening
OF negotiations for peace with Turkey, which re-
ply ~ reported last night is to the effect that Tur
key should apply direct to the Russian Comman-
der-in-Chief, for an srmistce, says: This intelli-
gence was not altogether unexpected. Ever since
the idea Of possible mediation was mooted feel
ers have been thrown from Berlin and ST. Peters
burg, indicating that Russia regarded an armstice
n preliminary step TO any pacific overtures
with an additional hint that the Car would re-
quire the cession Of the Danube fortresses ss q
preliminary condition of armistice. But owing to
the weather it seems almost impossible for the
Russians TO think Of leading large army scross
the Balkans
1t may be expected they will not exact too hard
terms for armistce, but content themselves with
krzeroum and one or two fortresses on the Dan
ube,
A telegram received in Paris asserts that the
Forte has decided to accept slmistice. The
Porte, hardly, however, has had time TO come to
such decision.
A telegram to the Times from St. Petersburg
reports, 1t is said here, that direct negoton. be-
tween the Porte and the Russian head
quarters would not exclude the most intere sted
neutral powers, ss Russia would propose no con-
ditions which had not received at least the tscit
consent OF Austria aud Germany, and the Porte
would accept nothing without consulting Eng
land.
Persons connected with the ministry of foreign
affairs assert that Russia will be found much more
moderate than 10 commonly expected, in regard to
peace conditions generally. and the question OF
the straits particularly.
The Times Vienna despatch says it is announc-
ed from Constsntinople thai the peace party are
making strenuous efforts 1t is reported that they
have been jDined by Mahmoud Damad Pasha,
VINO has hitherto been the main stay of the war
party.
The peace party have gained ground consider
ably both in the palace and senate, and it seems
possible that Turkey will consent TO make direct
overtures to Russia.
telegram dated st. Petersburg to-day, says
the prevalent conviction there 10 that the success
OF Engands mediatory action will depend upon
the spirit in which it may have been made.
1t is thought in official circles that pacifcatory
effort should proceed from the stand point that tho
peace conditions must be consonant with Russia S
dignity and sacrifices, and it is believed that Eng
land cannot overlook this consider alton.
The Daily Telegraph's correspondent at Vienna
states that instructions were teegraphed from ST.
Petersburg Sunday TO Russian commanders 10
Europe and Asia to receive any overtures for .
truce that the Turks might make.