The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-05
War Rumors-:The Russians and tho
FeMtaMs.

| the diplomatists, and Russia and England
| are drifting certainly and not very slowly
toward what seems for the moment an in
evitablo collision. Negotiations for the
withdrawal Of the respective forces from
the neighborhood Of Constantinople that
were for some time kept up on fair
tone of Cancellation and compromise
have ut length assumed, through
declaration OF England, domineering
and dictatorial style that could only be ac-
cepted by Power prepared to humble
itself and submit to any terms. England
demands that the Russian army shall FIST
be withdrawn from the neighborhood OF
Constantinople, and pledges that her heet
shall BIO withdrawn when that is done. This
REQUIRES that Russia shall absolutely COM
nit her case to the honor of England and
TO England under the government OF the
same party whose leader declared 1t was
better to violate the most sacred pledge
nation could make than to give up
Malta As Constantinople is OF far more
consequence than Malta Russia may well
doubt whether she can safely trust herself
to the pledge of suchsa Power. She may
also the more fairly refuse to accept Eng
lands pledge because the whole conduct
of England in all the negotiations has
turned on her distrust of Russia because
her policy has been based upon the theory
that no confidence whatever was to be
placed in any pledge or promise OF the
Russian Emperor. Russia will therefore
certainly not accept this arrangement
As the likelihood of an agreement on this
point becomes improbable, and as the pro-
iect of the Congress seems to pass out OF
sight, the relations Of the Russians to the
Moslems come into the foreground rs
subject Of great immediate moment. 1t Is
undeniable that these have changed, greatly
to the prejudice of the Russians, since the
cessation Of hostilities. AT that moment
Turkey was SO literally overwhelmed, SO
utterly in the dust, that the con-
sideration what attitude she might
assume in the event of war between Russia
and England received no attention. She
could not have turned feather in the scale
one way or the other. She had no army, no
general, no organization. Her soldiory was
IL.
positions at Constantinoplo were virtually
in the hands Of the invaders. But the three
months during which the Russians have
been beguiled with the fancy of English
negotiations have been improved by the Sui
tan's government In respect to this change
Russia is in great part the victim of her own
generosity She might justly have shot
prisoners at Plevna, and if she had done
this she would have consulted wisely her
own advantage. Now she is confronted
with the fact that this soldier, the prestige
Of whose name gives him wonderful infu-
ence over tho soldiers, has gathered mp
holds good army behind fortified
lines in the way of the Russian
advance to Constantinople. He will hardly
make the fight there that he did at Plcvna,
and the Russians can scarcely blunder again
rs they did there yet the fact, at its least
value, unpleasantly complicates the case
for Russia by the circumstance that she
must once more conquer the foe she has
already overwhelmed in this same war; But
that she is at last aware Of the fact that she
has suffered the Moslem to slip through her
fingers too far in the attention she has given
to English negotiations is evident from the
news that General Todleben VIII resume
active operations Immediately IL the for
tresses are not evacuated in accordance
with the San Steiano Treaty. Indeed,
Russia is ready and should act. Her delay
has given the Turks q new opportunity, and
every day that is lost in dependence on
diplomacy gives England time for prepare
ton. England was helpless when.her pro-
test was first made She is not helpless
now.
Russia is well inspired, therefore, if she
elects to act cnergelically now and to lose
no more time in futile efforts to placate
England's i'll will. She cannot descend far
enough to satisfy England. She must fight
eventually and had better fight now. She has
separated Austria from the possibility Of an
English alliance. France will certainly
keep apart for the declaration ofthe Prince
of Wales passionate attachment" to that
country Just made at the Exposition will not
turn the head of any one in Paris or else
where. Russia must, therefore, fight Eng
land only of Western nations, and cannot
regard the case as difficult one. Some
schemes attributed TO her seem not very
wise. 1t may be true, as reported, that the
Russians have turned their eyes toward
Canada us comparatively defencelcss
point at which they could iniiict some harm
~ n~.t \, Int hoya nj
given them credit for less wasteful views in
tho use Of their force. II they believe that
the devastation OF tho coasts of Canada will
hurt England they do not understand
the nation with which they are about
TO fight. If in the days when Alaska
was still Russian possession any Power at
war with the Car should have sent an ex-
g. q IL.