The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-01-25
rHE RUssO-rURKisH hLLIAAcE.
its Thought That Grave Events Nay be
Itnpendiug.

/ A cablegrnm from London to the New
| York Sun says:
Again after respite Of only week.
/ the political world has been thrown into
a condition II turmoil and excitement 10y
/ the report tnat an alliance has been rati-
tied between Russia and Turkey
The report lacks official confirmation,
! but Z harmonizes with tho course or
events in the past few months In the East.
and IL finds .eedy credence IN London
and on the Continent
The Pail Mall Gazette. which nrst am
nounced IL in circumstantial detail. right
~ describes II as grave news" Just
how grave II Is we shall not know until
other measures in the political reorg0ni-
cation OF Europe now In progress are
made known.
"a a menace against Great Britain. but
not so fatal menace as Il would have
been twenty years ago. Then there would
have been only one British reply. and that
would have been war
Now that Great Britain holds Egypt
the opening Of the Dardenelles 10 Russian
war ships. which a Russo-Tprkish alh-
ance OF course. implies. Is not so serious
Il thing as would be, for instance. Rus
San occupation or Persia.
The best opinion in London seems to be
that under present circumstances. II IT
proves true that the Car and Sultan have
Joined forces, England VIII not do more
than protest Those who believe that
Great Britain IS seeking 20 seduce France
away from her Russian aiiv think II will
be found that Germany is Wien pr-sia
IN combining with the Sultan. This
theory is improbable. So also Is the idea
that Great Britains generosity to France
IN the settlement OF the Siamese and
Niger disputes foreshadows an alliance
between those two countries
II IL absurd to pretend that the French
people will transfer their affection in
DAY from Russia 20 England. Such an
alliance. which would have nothing stron-
ger than expedlency for foundation.
could not endure
II Is nucn more reasonable 70 believe
that France is directly or indirectly as
ISOLATED with Russia in the .'ap1rted COM
pact with the Sultan. England. In that
case. has the chagrin Of knowing that by
he- rsif-hoarted efforts I'm behalf Of tho
srfaenians a q not only failed 10 reduce
the fearful slaughter bv single victim,
but ACCOMPLISHED the iiplomotic blunder
Of driving the Sultan into the arms OF
tho Gar
If to-day's news proves correct then the
next step that NAV naturally be expected
Is a icint demand from Russia. France.
and Turkey upon Great Britain for the
evacuation Of Egvnt Then. indeed. viii
England face crisis which will decide
the fate Of nations. Where would Ger
many. Austria. and Italy stand In such
an issue? England knows. after the eX-
nerience Of the past three weeks, that the
I.a - rrnT. Orr "a ny
would be neutrality. and that could not
last long. Austria Is the most doubtful
one Of the trio.
Italy, n may now he said with conf
dence. would actively. support England.
Mr. Chamberlain's speech at the MERGERS
dinner on Tuesday evening Is regarded
as almost an official announcement Of a
complete entente between Italy and Great
Britain. In fact this significance was de-
liherately given TO II at tho last moment
The italian An1ba ssador was not among
the original guests. nor was there any
toast 10 his country on the programme.
fTe was invited at Mr.. Chamherlain's re-
quest and the toast WIS inserted for the
same reason.
This suggest that the Salisbury Govern
ment was probably fully aware Of the
Turtish-Russian negotiations. and inten-
tlonally forestalled the news with a tacit
announcement that Great Britain and
italy had reached a similar understand
ing
n Is vain perhaps To speculate as "a
what the next n, ve I'm the great game
will be. but the whole diplomatic world
is doing little else The prevailing feel
inc is that anything may happen.
Nothing in the European political sit
uation any longer rests upon secure
foundation