Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1878-01-09
Uneasy Europe.


has undertaken the task Of making
pcece between Russia and Turkey. the
Associated Press dispatches of Dec.
3Oth give the following comments Of
the English and European press on the
critical situation:
THE LONDON TINES,
ina leading article, says the announce
ment that the Sultan has invited her
majestys government to approach the
car with q view to bring about negoti.
atoms of peace, will tend to calm some
ofthe fears which have been exciting
the country and to hold out the hope
that the dreadful war may be brought
to close more quickly than by the
shock of battle. The Sultan has taken
the only course consistent with calm
review of what the war has already
done and what it must do if it should
last much longer. The circular to the
powers showed that the peace party
at the porte had at the time got the
upper hand. 1t proposed terms which
would no doubt have been inadmissa-
BILE before the war, and which would
not bear discussion after the terrible
battles of the last sin months; but the
porte did not intend the circular to be
taken at its word. Now that all the
powers have courteously but firmly de-
clined to approach Russia with impos-
sible conditions the sultan has fairly
asked this country to use its efforts to
bring about negotiations for peace. 1t
is important that the govern
ment should conduct negotiations
in spirit absolutely free from parti-
sanship. We are not parties to the
present contest, as a mediatOr's essen
tial duty is to convey message from
one power with which we have no
quarrel to another power with which
we have no quarrel. We have
doubtless great interests at stake, DO
litical as well as commercial, and they
will be urged at the proper moment;
but meanwhile it is our duty to act as
friendly intermediates and not as rulers
of the Indian empire, To take side
with one of two powers, which we must
bring into contact, would simply be to
make our mission useless, and destroy
the prospect of peace. Our govern
ment will have to ascertain whether
Russia is willing to open negotiations,
and what are her conditions of peace.
1t will have to offer Turkey such adj
vice as may seem proper and present
her answers. 1t may have to reason in
an earnest spirit with both belligerents
in order to secure common ground.
1t may be Obliged to urge the porte, on
the one hand, to be wise in time, and
Russia on the other, not to
demand such terms as would
goad the Turks to desperate
course and thus multiply the perils of
Europe. While the mediator may seem
to act as an advocate now of one power
and now of another, arguments must be
dictated purely by the spirit of concilia-
ton. No doubt the government would
have to consider the interests of Eng
land, but presentation OF them would
come in good time and there is not the
slightest reason to fear they will be neg
lected.
THE LONDON NEWS.
The Ottoman government de-
clares that its desire for negotiations
for peace may be brought about on
the present basis of facts, and
as its professions must be accepted as
sincere, the public will wish it success
on its new policy. 1t cannot be neces-
sary to point out that even upon the
most limited Interpretation of the Office
it has assumed, the queen has assumed
a task of great delicacy. The present
war primarily concerns Russia
and Turkey, but the eastern ques-
ton is one which must be considered
by Europe. BY its present action
our government has taken on
itself the character OF
intercessor for one unfortunate
belligerent, while acting also officially
for Europe. But it has to harmonic
this new character with the declarations
which it has repeatedly made, and with
the whole Of the conduct, of which the
least that can be said, is that it has now
prepared the world for the part it has
undertaken to play. On her majesty's
ministers may very much depend
whether the eastern question shall be
now settled, at least for many years to
GOMEZ or this war be followed by
mere truce, the prelude to war greater
and more disastrous than that of which
we are now spectators. We are bound
to hope that they will prove equal to
their responsibilities.
THE BERLIN GAZETTE.
If England merely seeks to sound
Russia respecting her willingness
to make peace, credit may be awarded
Great Britain for her meritorious inten-
ton. In any other case the theory OF
the Agence Russo that mediation, unless
coli oitod by, both halliueranAa becomes