The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-08-29
The War in Bosnta-Austrta's DIN.
cMlties.

dulged recently In great reJoicih6s o''A
victory gained against the insurgent
Bosnians at Serajevo; and the Bosnians
are group of people OF SO little ac-
count in the eyes of Europe that when
they were handed over to Austria at Berlin
by mere stroke Of the pen it was not
deemed worth while to tell the Iurklsn
representatives that tho Congress intended
to give them away absolutely to HIS Majesty
at Vienna. But in the same breath III
which they rejoiced over this victory the
Austrian government prepared the mobile
zation OF five army corps and named the
commanders. If a decisive victory has
been gained it might scarcely be thought
necessary to take steps for putting In the
field so large o force. Indeed, TINS iorce
could scarcely be called for if Bosnia was In
such a condition that the government ex-
pected to be compelled to hold it like
conquered country for year to come. But
some days since it was limited that at the
first evidence that the Servian government
was implicated in the present resistance to
Austria an Austrian force would move into
that country, and now it is reported
that Austrian officials have come upon
proofs at Serajevo that both Montenegro
and Servia have given such aid to their
ncighbors as amounts to violation OF their
obligations toward o nation with which
they are at peace. Can it be, then, that
portion Of the force that is apparently to be
modified is to be sent to take care OF the
An, ,.i in SnrVla
would be new complication in the course
of events in Europe, and would scarcely be
regarded with indifference by Russia. But
it does not yet appear that Austria is abso-
lutely done with the first resistance. Bos-
MIA was always troublesome possession to
the Sultan, and it is not likely to be less
troublesome to its new owners. In the first
place the people are hardy, warlike race.
They constituted the best soldiers OF the
Sultan in che days when his soldiers were
invincible, and the feudal system exists In
oil its vigor there yet and thus gives the
local lords an organized control OF all means
Of resistance. In part of Bosnia on insur.
rection defed the Ottoman Power for two
years when that Power had the sympathy
and assistance of all the Moslem elements
in the population but Austria had no such
sympathy and OF course no assistance. She
is hated and resisted by the Moslems be-
cause she is Christian and hated by the
Christians because she is Austria and all are
agreed to resist her. But if she finds her.
self SO far in control Of the Bosnian trouble
that she ventures to invade Servia there
NAV be some limitations from Russia that
such o course was not contemplated at Ber-
lin and is not to be INDUCED on suspicion.
Any communication of that nature would
furnish point Of new interest for European
diplomacy generally.
Russia's relation to the events now
in progress is peculiar. No Power
makes war on Turkey either to enforce
the fulilment of treaties or conduct
consistent with humanity except Russia.
From the hands OF the other great neigh
bors of the Sultan into her hands has passed
by sort of law Of moral succession and by
common consent the function Of suppress
ing from time to time this incorrigible
offender against the law OF nations and
against that common standard Of civiliza-
ton which the opinion of the world permits
stronger Power to enforce upon weaker
one. Once war with the Ottomans was the
function of the German people, and they
had taken from the Sultan the lands for
which they had most regard before the fact
that he had become counter for England
in the balance of Europe sufficed to stay
their hands. But the fact that the Ottoman
had irisinuated himself between the parties
in the ancient quarrel of Slav and Greek
gave the Germansa vigorous successor. who
has continued the southwark pressure un-
til our days. Russia therefore makes war
upon. the Porte when it is to be made
not Austria, nor Germany, nor Italy, nor
France nor England. Sometimes these
Powers have in modern times been con-
cerned as accessories to hostilities against
the Porte but they have been parties
against him mainly with an inten-
ton to limit the effect Of hostile opera
tions by distracting the councils of his
enemies. But will Russia, the one great
corrector of Ottoman vagaries make war on
part of the Treaty of Berlin in which she
has no peculiar interest? Assuredly not.
And that is the reason why the Porte pro-
ceeds with nonchalant indifference as to
several important points of that treaty. 1t
is known in Constantinople that the only
Power likely to call the Porte to order etfec-
tually is not much fonder of that treaty
than the Porte is. There are two sanctions
to all treaties. There is the fear Of eternal
birthstone as represented by the Christian
oath and there is the fear of force as rep
resented by the artillery. But for these
treaty is great deal like any other writ
ing-something like On overdue bill. whose
requirements people meet at their con-
venience. Now the Turk is q mere infdcl,