The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-01-29
Tuesday. January 2s. 1873
English Neutrality.


extent of that underlined quantity denom-
mated British interests, of which the Eng
lish have said so much and have apparently
left it purposely indefinite, the latest intelli-
gence from the belligerents indicates they
are about to settle their differences be-
tween themselves without so much as even
asking England what her supposed inter-
ests are, or whether their agreement for
peace does or does not trench upon her
claims. To heighten the affront, 1t 1t be
one, it would seem that Germany and Aus
tia we're duly advised prior to the signing
of the armistice as to the conditions agreed
upon, while England received the informa-
ton only as an after performance, imply
ing consultation with the former and a
deliberate snub as to the latter.
Notwithstanding England has for years
occupied the position of an ally and pro-
tector to Turkey, and has repeatedly in
sisted upon the preservation of its terri
torial integrity, yet manifestly it has been
from no feelings of sympathy with the
Porte or its government, and has only had
reference mainly to that same underlined
expansive or contractile formula termed
British interests.
We are not among those who believe
England can be, or will allow herself to be,
quietly set aside and assigned secondary
position--that her voice and her direction
in continental affairs is to be thus summa-
rily closed. The British nation is still
strong and powerful both for self protec-
ton or for aggression, but the commercial
spirit of the age and the tendency of her
institutions incline her at present to strong
conservative tendencies except in the face
Of actual menace and danger.
The sudden movement of her feet from
Besika bay to the Dardanelles, aud the
countermanding order which subsequently
detained it at the mouth of the straits
instead OF permitting it to proceed to its
first destination, is of course mainly in con-
sequence of the momentary relief afforded
by the PRONUNCIATION of the terms of peace.
But it still remains to be seen what the
ultimate judgment of the government will
be in regard to events now taking place
The first question of interest is iwhether
the British Parliament will now deem it
necessary to vote the supplies asked for by
the Ministry. Prior to the announcement
of the terms of peace, the liberal leaders
signiied their intention to make no oppo-
sition, provided the supplies were only
asked for Professionally, to be ready in an
emergency and not as direct war meas
ure. Has the emergency now ceased2 As
between Turkey and Russia the terms
may be considered quite moderate-in
fact more so than from the relative
position of the two late belligerants would
naturally have been expected. They are
said to be:
The independence of Servia;
The cession to Montenegro of Antivari
Nicsics, Spuz, and portion of LAX,
Scutari;
Bulgarian autonomy according to tn
conference programme;
The opening of the Straits of Dardan
eies 20 Russian ships of war;
The occupation Of Batoum, Kars, an
Erzeroum by Russia until war idemnit
of G2O,O0O,0 900 is paid;
Part of the Russian army to embark 6
Constantinople for their return home; an
The final treaty of peace to be signe
at ConstantinOple by the Grand Duk
Nicholas.
A very influential portion. if not a
actual majority, of the English nation hay
all along strenuously opposed interventia
in behalf of Turkey on the ground thi
the integrity of the Ottoman empire WI
none of Euglands business, and so long
Russia did nothing which coDtravent
British interests it would be impo!itic
NEEDLE with the course of events.
There is not little disposition
various quarters to taunt England with
selfish regard for her own interests onl
and as being more inclined to buster tn,
hight, and with having lost her only re
opportunity to have voice in determinir
the issue of the war; but we are far fro
feeling assured that such is the case, al
we certainly have no idea that she is like
to abdicate her former supremacy a
supinely allow herself to be degraded
an Insignificant spectator of the doings
an imperial ALLIANCES between Russia, q,
many and Austria in which she is to
forbidden TO participate, or quiet
ignored. Tho synopsis of parliamenta
debate III yesterdays European dispatch
Indicate as we think, quite differe
attitude, and that the issues of the W
are not yet so defnitively and certain
settled as many are disposed to belle,
The remarks of the Earl of Carnarvan a
Lord Beacons6eld, respectively, may
taken as a fair expression of the r,
difference of opinion which actually D
walls between the extreme peace party a
those who favor a more warlike attitu,
The telegraphic dispatches above REFER
to say:
Lord Carnarvon stated that when the e
OF beaconsfield condemned his language
the deputation Of January 2. ne, af
taking time to consider his course. hanC
10 the premier written statement of |
position he Lord Carnarvon) had tak
upon That occasion, and there the mat
stood Tor the time. His language
having been publicly disavowed he
lusllhed, In believing that he could
nave seriously misrepresented on;nion
the government. The cabinet on Ian
discussed the desirabiiity of sendins
fleet to the Dardanelles, and he evnras
anniAed nnininn na.n;..a. = P