The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-06-13
The international Congress Mt
Bertha.



remarkable it will be famous in diplomatic
history in virtue of the political impor-
lance and character of its members Prince
Bismarck, Prince Gortcshakotf, Count An
Grassy and the Earl Of Beaconsfeld-the
foremost men OF their time-will, as the mag
mates of the occasion, give this Congress an
Importance in the chronicle Of great diplo-
matte events that other congresses
will only equal in virtue OF the
superior Importance OF the topics
with which they dealt. Lven the famous
congresses of sovereigns are less noticeable
for characteristic personality. Within two
hundred years the number of congresses
held in Europe OF great importance-not to
count such minor assemblages as that at
London in lS71-has been such MS to give
an average of one in ten years since that
which made the peace Of Westphalia. From
the deliberations Of these bodies resulted in
each generation the actual relations OF
the several nations, whether these bodies
declared by treaties the conditions that
had been brought about by war or
whether by their deliberations they
averted impending wars through reach
ing settlement Of conflicting claims
without recourse to arms. Practically,
therefore, assemblies Of diplomatists have
performed for the States Of the Continent
the functions Of parliament by ascertain
ing and declaring the common will on dis
puted points. But the congresses assem-
bled to prevent wars have been the least
successful---a fact not of brilliant augury
just now. But the genius for politics con-
centrated in this Congress, the tact and
sagacity, and apparently the resolute will
to preserve the peace, are altogether such
as may justly make inapplicablc any
speculations drawn from the conduct of
former bodies assembled for a similar pur-
pose.
England is the winner in what the sport
ing men would probably class us ''the first
events" Even the TACT that the Congress is
at last reulity-and reality i'll the condi-
tions insisted upon by hers her victory
and victory that has with good reason
startled the capitals and must carry TO ex-
ceeding heights the fame and popularity OF
the British Premier. People in England
not noted for their admiration Of Lord Bea-
consfeld held TINT his policy was that OF a
gambler in politics that he played to win
grnndly, but in such a way that if his game
miscarried the loss would be of no common
stake but would involve calamity and
irreparable disgrace for England. In order
to force Russia to terms he prepared as il to
fight her and it was the opinion Of an in
telligent opposition that ii Russia had
taken him at his word and fought the con-
sequences would have been irremediably
bad for the British colors. All that is mat
ter Of opinion, and not likely now to be
practically determined. 1t is sufficient for
the fame Of Lord Beaconsfeld that, whether
his game was desperate or wise, he won it
and the fortune that led to happy conclu-
sion covers all the rest. Precisely how his
victory was brought about only the future
will know; but it is entitled to all the
fcidt of triumph obtained in crcum-
stances that seemed all against it. At
a certain moment last winter Russia
was an absolute conqneror Turkey was
PROSTATE, and the hope of British support
seemed desperate. That England could
assert even her own interests with becom-
ing dignity seemed unlikely. Russia had
extorted from her PROSTATE enemy treaty
that made her supreme in his dominioIs,
and stood prepared with half million
veteran troops under arms to defend that
treaty. 1t would have seemed wild at that
time to believe that within few months,
and without a shot fired, she would agree TO
submit that treaty to general revision at the
demand OF England. Yet that is the great
change that has taken place apparently
through the Cars acting on the adj
vice of Count Schouvaloff, his am
bassador at London, rather than on
that OF Prince Gortschakoff, who bad
been dominant in his councils thi.her.o
Perhaps the Ambassador was able TO assure
the Emperor that Germany would not sus-
tain him and that Austria would second
England's hostility, which would be good
reason for his change of attitude, and which,
If true. would certainly relieve the British
policy from the charge of desperation. It
was well 10 correct what the two govern
ments said at st. Petersburg by what they
said ut London.
But if England's position now on the
relations OF Europe to Turkey be contrasted
with her position in 1876 it will be seen
that her compelling n Congress is MOI n
triumph in which she need glory oveimuch
In 1876 she indicated her views by a refusal
to sign the Berlin memorandum, a refusal
to take part in any proceeding which adj
mittcd or recognized the propriety of the
general action Of tho great Powers in the
concerns of Turkey. An attitude which as
sumed that Turkey was to be left alone, and
which did actually defeat, on that occasion
and at the Congress ut Constantinop!e, the
attempt TO force reforms in the Ottoman
Empire, exhibited plainly the views then