New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-01-28
TIE TERNS OF PIECE.

n satisfactory truce have been accepted; ana
although not yet officially promulgated, they
are. as reported from two different sources, so
much in consonance with what has been fore
Swallowed by the course OF Eussia before ana
during The war, that We need not hesitate "
accent them as substantially correct. We have
repeatedly indicated during the past year WHAT
those terms would probably be; ana the
readers of TIE TRIBUNE will find nothing III
them To provoke surprise or even serious dis
cus,ion. They embody, in fact, the claims
made upon Turkey 10y the Conference at Con-
staninopc year ago, with such additions as
Russia considers herself justified in demanding
~ special indemnity for her sacrifices III
waging the war, after her colleagues unclud-
ing England) submitted 10 Turkeys rejection
Of their collective demands.
Let lis consider the separate articles o! the
agreement, only twO-Oy, at most, tmee-oi
which NAV be somewhat modified by the CO.
onor,tjop Of nil the Powers in the final set
tlcmcnt.
|. The autonomy Of Bulgaria. This, of course,
will BE- conceded whether on the plan applied
TO the Christian population of the Lebanon, or
otherwise, Is not material point so long rs
we think. will be extended to include some
territory south of the Balkans on account OF
the massacrcs in the philippopolis district in
1876
II. A reformed administration for Bosnia and
herzegovina. with Christian Governor This,
like the former article, has been indorsed i'll
advance by the COnstantinople Conference,
and must he carried into effect.
III. Security for the better government of
the other Turkish prov inceS. In principle, this
article is well enough; but it will be found
very difficult to cmbody it in any practical
folm. The other Powers will claim the right
t. modify il. and there is little hope of any
solution which will be generally satisfactory.
". The independence of ROumanla and
Seryia. A change of form rather than of fact,
which will be accepted both by Turkey aud
Christian Europe.
V. The extension Of the territory of Monte
negro, including The seaport of Antivari, on
the Adriatic. The only power which might
possibly he affected by this change is Austria,
and it can hardly matter much To hcI whether
the first harbor south of her own Dalmatian
coast line he Montcncgrin or Turkish
VI. The ccssion to Russia of "A part of
BeSsarabia. This, undoubtedly means the
restoration of the boundary previous to the
Crimean War, including tho Sulna mouth OF
the Danube. II the independence Of Ronnania
he conceded, Turkey will have nothing TO do
with this matter The territory will belong to
Roumanin. which will be very 10th to part
with IT, but cannot resist England will UNI
donbtcdly enter II protest; Germany AMI
Austria will not be particularly pleased; but
the pride of Russia centres on tins one claim.
She has never lost an inch of territory with
ont recovering IT, sooner or later. She will
wait n gcncratOn-a ccntury-two centuries;
INT she never forgcts, never misses her chance.
VII. The annexation of part of Armenia.
Inst how much Russia will demand in Asa is
still uncertain. 1t will include Kars and b.
tum. but probably not Erzerum and TrcbIzond,
except as security until the money indemnity
shall have been paid.
VIII. Indemnity for the expenses Of the war.
One authority gives the sum as 900, 900, 600.
which il about Onc-lifth of the actual expense,
and, therefore, not unreasonable. Nevertheless,
in the present ruinous condition OF Turkish
finances, it will prove to be an intocrablc bur
den. Where is Turkey to find the money
VIII England prove herself true friend, at
last, by helping her to raise it
*. Finally, the opening of the Dardancllcs
to Russian vessels of war. This article is cx-
prcssly reserved for settlement by Il conference
of the Powers; hence it may result in making
both the Dardanclles and the Black Sea free to
the vessels of all nations. This would be the
best solution of the question. Russia is just
fed in resisting her scm-imDrisonmcnt yet
l.. e
an exclusive right which would add 80 greatly
to her offensive power.
The other points referred to III the reports
ihc embarkation OF part of the Russian army
at Constantnoplc, ctc.-are matters of minor
importance, and do not call for discussion
now. The substantial terms upon which Rus
sia will conclude peace, and which have been
accepted by Turkey are before the reader.
In regard to the advantages directly accruing
70 Russia, they arc moderate, and cannot
reasonably he resisted by Europe. The att
clcs affecting the condition Of the Christian
population of Turkey may be considered as
having been already accepted. The anncxa-
lions of territory will be regarded with sus-
picion, and England will undoubtedly employ
all the resources of her diplomacy in the at
tempt to cuItal them But il Will be hard to
make the world believe that her cOmmunica-
tons with India are menaced by the transfer
to Russia OF slice off the eastern edge of
Armenia We suspect that all the terms set
forth will be settled without much delay or
difficulty, except that concerning the opening
of the Dardanellcs. Here there is chance
for long and wearisome negotiations.
The spectacle which the Beaconsiield Gov
eminent offers IL the world at this important
historical moment, is surprising-we had almost
said grotcsque. On Thursday, the 17th inst, Sir