The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-04-01
Austria and Russia-War Possible

General Ignatieff's return to st. Peters
burg without having accomplished his
purpose at Vienna is the most prominent
point in the news to-day. Rumors chase
each other over Europe as to what this
apparent check to Russian policy means,
and it is interpreted everywhere in ac-
cordance with the bias of the interpreters.
There is, doubtless, the greatest stress
laid ut st. Petersburg on securing at least
the benevolent neutrality of Austria toward
Russia, should war with Great Britain
suit, and that IgnatieF had found Andrassy
intractable would make the situation for
the moment more complicated. That this
has absolutely happened is the belief in
circles affected by British influences,
and to some extent it prevails in ST.
Petersburg itself. But the conference be-
tween the Russian statesman and the Aus
TRAN Chancellor has made clear the grounds
on which an understanding may be arrived
at. The extent of the Austrian demands
and the possibility Of Russia conceding
them form, therefore, the latest riddle
in the Eastern question. 1t is stated
roundly that Andrassy objects to the
entire Treaty of San Stefano; but this
is manifestly inexact. The Austrian
Premier may desire some notifications and
may insist that the proposed alterations of
the map should bring with them certain
other compensatory alterations in Austrias
favor Of such we catch trace in the re-
port from Belgrade that to keep the balance
IL
in military sense, which is the
same thing, Servia. Montenegro, Bosnia
and Albania. If Russia's obligations to her
late allies and the Turks will permit it, and
she can be assured that Austria's demands
end there, these might not be insuperable
conditions. That. however, they go that far
is not by any means certain. Until Ignatieff
has consulted with the government at st.
Petersburg the diplomatic situation will re-
main unsolved1 No view oft, however, which
leaves the immense Potentially Of Germany
out of sight will be reliable one. Prince
Bismarck's attitude Of moderator is one SO
perfectly adapted to stepping off one side
or the other that Andrassys objections my
be answered significantly from Berlin. The
KEY to the situation is undoubtedly in the
pocket of the Iron Chancellor England
having set herself squarely against Russia
her weight in men and metal is discounted
in the calculations Of what may happen.
In the tension of the diplomatic relations
it is inevitable that busy minds should be
at work upon the possibilities beyond
namely, the war possibilities. We are not,
therefore, surprised that people at st.
Petersburg, as shown in our special
dispatches, should have plan cut
and dried for forcing France to the
side of 'all Europe" and so using
her powerful fleet against England's.
Stated thus BADLY it looks as unfeasiblc az
the project of making an alliance with the
United States. Whatever more substantial
basis it may have the idea arises from the
belief that to make war against England
successful the fleet of the latter must be
fought ard vanquished. Its naval power
is very great; but few Russian
Alabamas, with the fat British commerce
to prey upon, would give the British fleet
plenty Of employment very far from the
| Mediterranean. Russia, single handed
may not be able to carry the war into Great
Britain. but there is very little probability
that it would be altogether confined to the
| n o;obborhood of the Busphurus.