The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1878-03-02
Foreign News.


Although the Russians succeeded at great
pains and regardless of expense" in hand
sOmely thrashing the Turk, she finds 1t by no
means as easy Il matter to gather in the "leg-
innate fruits of her victory The truth seems
to be that Russia is inclined to be hoggish, The
terms she insists on compelling the porte to
sign at AdrianOplc are said to include the in
dependence Of Roumania, the annexation Of
bessarabia to Russia, the autonomy Of Bulgar-
III with an extension Of her boundaries 50 as to
include more than halt OF Roumela, the annex.
alton OF a large slice of Armenia, the transfer
OF the Turkish fleet TO Russia. an indemnity of
about S2Oo,OOO,O0O in cash, the Egyptian and
Bulgarian contingentS to be mortgaged for its
payment; as well as free avigatOn of the Bos-
phorus and Dardaneles, partial occupation of
Constantnople, &c,
England objects to several Of these terms, but
mainly to Russia gobbling the Egyptian con
tingent, which was pledged to England in 1850
for the loan England and France made to Tur-
key during the Crimean war; and to the trans
fer Of the Turkish navy, which was built with
English money and on which she also claims
therefore to hold mortgage. The sending OF
the British fleet to Constantinople and her
manifest Indignation against the above among
other Russian demands have made the porte 50
stubborn about signing the treaty at !AdrianO.
pie that the Car is getting impatient and
threatens daily to march his army into Con
stantnople, which England threatens as freely
IN .1,ol1 TO
4 tdsiS Tell.
England is the holder because Austria is al
so greatly dissatisfied with the proposed eXtcn.
sion of the boundaries of Bulgaria, the annex
alton of Bessarabia and transfer to Roumania
of the Dobrudscha and the Austrian ministry
have actually asked of the Austro-Hungarian
delegates a credit of 3j,000000 roubles for war
purposes. Roumania is also mad over the
prospective loss of Bcssarabia, and even Ger
many has intmatcd to Russia that she may
carry her greed too far.
Thus the Eastern trouble is by no means al
an end with the conquest Of Turkey, and as
England, Austria, Russia and even Germany
are unrcmitting in war preparations, it seems
but the toss of copper whether we shall not
yet have instead ofthe Russo Turkish, grand
European war before the summer is over
There is yet 10 agreement as to either time
or place for the meeting of the proposed con
ference.
The latest dispatches in yesterdays dailics
read in this way:
The position appears extremely critical, not
withstanding the tranquilizng uttcrance Of
the ministerial papers. The conference is re-
garded in Austrian government circles as ad-
journed sine die. A Berlin dispatch says the
conference has entirelp failed. Englandis not
only stralnng every nerve to perfect her naval
preparations, but no possible effort is being
spared in getting the land forces in condition.
Enormous contracts are being given out daily
for blankets, ambulanCeS, bayonetS, shovels,
troop hammocks, and other articles for use in
land operations. Inspections of troops are oc-
curing daily. Transfers of soldiers have been
stopped, leaves of absence revoked and there
is suspension of the discharge Of any more
soldiers either by purchase or indulgence. All
cheering, transportation, ambulance service,
and the like are occupied night and day Re
cruiting stations are opened everywhere and
heavy cnllstments are being made, especially
in the manufacturing districts. The torpedo
works are especially active. In all govern
mcnt works additional men are being taken
wherever it is possible to find room for them,
and in many cases employees are making over
time Either war is intended or else a most
vigorous menace.