Year: 1877


Piraeus The mutlny quened by the marines and
men summoned from other vessels. The muneers were
arrested and courmartial has convened TO try them
The cause of this second outbreak stated 10 be dssats
faction because of the refusal Of shore leave whereupon
the mutneers rendered the Aexandras guns unservce
able 1t has been deemed necessary to send the Aexan-
dra to cruise in the Mediterranean until further orders


THE GENERAL ASPECT OF AFFAIRS.
EFFORTS MADE TO KEEP WAR FROM SPREADING


FURTHER-RUssA MORE MODERATE-PLANs FOR


THE PARTITION OF TURKEY THE FRENCH


CRISIS.


tFRoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNEI


LONDON, May 19.-ThOueh we are nearing
the end of the fourth week since the Russian forces
crossed the Turkish frontiers are still awaiting the
actual meeting Of the armies both in Europe ana IN ASA
The Danube yet has not been crossed and kars re-
mains stronghold OF the Turks. Bayazd has, 1t is true
been captured but this capture has been moro than
cOuntorbalanced by the Russian repuse near Batum All
that has as yet been done is at best but preliminary
skirmshng and there is much to show that We are sui
some little way off any decisive movements.


There has been good deal OF talk during the past few
davs Of efforts to "locaze the war, and whether well
or ifounded have at present no means of knowing.
the idea prevails both here and abroad that some dpo-
matte arrangement is in progress with this end in view
The story has been told with circumsantiay, for
the Vienna correspondent of The London Tmfs-th0ugh
he throws doubt its ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS the pro-
posal is that in Europe the warke operations shall not
extend beyond the Balkans in Asia beyond Irebzond
Accounts from some OF the other capitals would appear
TO indicate that both Russia and Turkey desirous OF
coming to an understanding upon the subject IT may
very well be doubted whether any Power or combination
Of powers shall lud 1t within their ability to "localizc
the present struggle in case Of events happening which
IL is more than possible will happen In the next iew
months War is a force very difhc 1t Of control when


incl lfFfrl a
it viii take its course whatever any little Knot OF po
matists may desire arrange between them.


Ii is poss bic that this has some foundation that
there is some basis of truth underlying it, and that this
basis tie desire Of Russia TO appear well before the
world There be little doubt, moreover, that official
Russia knows quite well how far she can 20 without III
irngin on British interests" Russia has 10 desire for
war with England. and if collision is 10y any means TO
be avoided II is thought she will avoid it. The Car has
already declared in the most solemn manner tha he does
not desire any acquisition OF territory s less to make
Consautiuople a Russian port. The Government OF St.
Petersburg anxious ever TO convince Europe that
its only object is the liberation Of the Christian races
from the misgovcrnmcnt of the Turk, and
TO do this with 0s little disturbance as
possible to the ncighb0ring countries II is also
well acknowledced fact that Europe requires good
deal MOI persuasion TO believe the assurances of Russia
on such points than she would tic assurances OF some
other nations Account for il you viii, unjusilebe





dstrust Of does exist 1t mere Tory cry IN
Britain and no exclusively utramontane utterance
abroad; il is a hard. stOd fact which any British or
foreign Statesman has TO acknowledge ID dealing with
any branch Of this question. Hence the mingled feelings
of pleasure and dstrust with which this rumor OF the
last few days has been received II is thought that the
Russian forces intend far as Adranople and there
TO stop Here the Car win more appeal to Europe
10 know what the other Powers intend TO do, ana here
may be another historic treaty may be concluded


Another idea which the Russians and their friends arc
omenng is that not only do they desire to avoid occu
pying COnstantnope in Difference to the wishes OF En-
land but that it is their interest to do So Russia
il is said would infinitely prefer to see Constannope
free European than Russian town. Her desire Is to
make it a place OF cosmopolitan government sJrt OF


norman s-land,' perhaps more correctly speaking
every man sand" The Turkish jurisdiction is 10 be
destroyed and the city Of palaces to be governed under
the authority Of a mixed commission, appointed by all
the Powers Of Europe Bat this idea leaves entirely out
of account what is to become Of the Turkish Government
in the provinces south Of the Balkan If the Ottoman Gov
ernmeut should upset by the struggle going on it
ght nc very easy TO parcel out these provinces or to
give them segoyernment but it questionable whether
one form of government could be set up IN Constantine
pie and another in the provinces 1t possibly little
early to begin discuss the terms of peace especially
the war has scarcely begun and as good deal may
happen the present time and that on which the
Powers viii he called upon to advise on the terms Of
peace.


Though have mentioned 1t last certainly the French
crisis has beyond compare the most absorbing and
exciting topic OF interest from the Continent tins week
The embteIed theological strife OF the past few months
has now arrived at It's climax, and at the present mo-
ment the whole fabric of the French Republic is shaken
to its base The concession which the Marshal Presi
dent has been induced to make TO the priests and the
clerical party has made that party aggressive. Nothing
be menacng TO peace and to the best interests
of France That which a simple ministerial crisis
NAV very speedily develop into revolution The spark
wants but little tanning to burst into flame. The best
friends France here cannot fan to be alarmed at the
aspect OF affairs To minds the complete triumph
Of the clerical party France is inseparaby associated
with Imperialism and the restoration OF the temporal
power OF the Pope and these may well combine TO
cause alarm in the most peaceful minds