New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-01-11
PTSSIf TITJURTOTC.

Almost the entire resisting power which
Turkey can bring to bear against the Russian
advance on AdrianOple has been crushed at a
blow. On Tuesday the Turkish position at
the Ikhtman Pass was turned, and the last
remaining barrier on the road from Sophia to
Philppopols given up, almost without a
| struggle; on Wednesday, after fierce battle,
the whole Turkish Army defending the Shipka
| Pass-consisting of forty-One battalions, ten
| batteries and one regiment of cavary-was
captured by General Radetzky. a Russian
force, under Prince Mrsky immediately Occu-
! pied Kezanik, at the foot of the mountains
and the vanguard Of General GhOurkO has I'M
doubtedly reached the terminus of the rail-
way to COnstantlnople by this time. The two
Russian Armies are, therefore, only about sew
enty miles apart, forming the base of a tri-
angle, the apex of which is AdrianOple,
scarcely more than n hundred miles distant.
The Balkans lie behind them, cutting off the
severe Winter of the Danube; ROumella,
warm and fertile, with ample supplies OF grain
and forage, is before them; and the Turks,
now utterly broken and demOrallzed, cannot
prevent their onward march--if they choose
to march.
weeks, offered to Russia at such moment, must
include something more than the suspension OF
hOstilitics. An arrangement, upon the simple
basis of uG pOsSidetiS, would entail unnecessary
expense upon Russia in supplying her armies
in the field, while it would allow Turkey a
chance to rest and recruit her shattered forces.
Even the present efforts Of England, to exclude
all consideration of conditions Of peace from
an armlstice, will avail nothing, if we may
Judge from the attitude of Russia, thus far
England is not diSintcrcSted, and therefore not
rgdly neutral, in proposing such measure.
Any possible prolOrGaiion Of the struggle re-
suting from the difficulty of dealing with the
Ottoman Government, would not affect her in
terests, yet would add to Russa's burden. 1t
is not necessary that the conditions of peace
should be settled beforehand, or positively de-
fined in the agreement Of truce; but Russia
may properly demand of Turkey the lattrr's
consent to discuss stipulated points of settle
ment.
With certain of Russia's probable exactions
England has no concern The Independence of
Seryia and ROumania; the autonomy of BUl-
garia the cesSion of territory in Armenia /;
even the restoration to Russia of the Suna
mouth of the Dnube-these are matters which
do not justify the Intervention of any third
power But when the question of the opening
of the Dardanclcs and the Black Sea is
preached. ,hen Engand-in conjunction with
the other European pOwcrs-may rightfuliy
claim her share in the negotiations. 1t would
APPEAR from the tenor of tie latest news, that
Russia is not inclined to dispute this claim.
The points of settlement which belong to her,
and those which belong TO all Europe, are
clearly scparatcd and we do not think the
Bcaconslicd Government will succeed in con-
fu,ng them. The speedy conclusion Of IN
armis,icc depends upon Turkey; she has de-
cided to ask it-whcthcr with or without
further understanding. is not yet evident. Her
whole European territory is now open to the
invader; these latest blows paralyzc her re-
naming strength; she mast submit. Willing
as the Ottoman Government may be to shelter
itself behind European War, this time it will
be disappointed.