Year: 1877

lDY CABLE TO THE HERALD


LONDON, March II, 1877.


General Ignatien-s visit to London would indicate
ordinarily the possibility Of solution Of the present
difficulties in the East through the arrangement Of
protocol enabling Russia to retire gracefully over
golden bridge. The protocol, apparently, may
stave Off outbreak, but it is difficult to imagine
that this feeble document should possess such In
nuence as to nullify Russas object in the expendt
men. What was the objccts There's the rub.
The English press has been plentfuiy supplied with
1eelers upon the question Of the Treaty OF Paris,
which originally emanated in semi-offcial char
acter from the Berlin press bureau. However disin.
clined England must eventually face this question.
The morning papers speak in terms OF qualification
over the apparent progress toward settlement.
The Times, for instance, in its leading article,
contrasts the long preparations which preceded
the Andrassy note and the Berlin memorandum
with the celebrity Of the present negotiation. It
says:-"Conciliatio and promptitude have been the
characteristics OF all parties. and having resolved
to agree, their complaisance Is wonderful. Tho
protocol was only communicated to Lord Derby on
Sunday. and on Friday we are congratulated as on
accomplished work. This shows that whatever
the Russian government may propose to
accomplish association with the European
Powers is looked upon as important, either for ex.
terna political action allay irritation and dis
appointment at home. The assurances OF Russians
make us believe that the latter Is the object, and
that the Czar, having determined to relinquish his
enterprise desires merely such conditions as will
not too much humiliate his people. II this be the
motive the signature OF the protocol viii be a de.
efsive event. unless indeed new disorders In Turkey
throw all again into confusion"


WHAT IT AMOUNTS TO.


The HERALD's Berlin correspondent telegraphs
that he has received In circles connected with the
Russian Embassy the assurance that the Czar &C
cedes to Russia's counter proposal. despatch
from Vienna indicates what the situation would be
II all were accepted as at present proposed. II
says:-"In settling the terms Of the protocol Russia
has surrendered the idea OF revvng the last clause Of
the Berlin memorandum, according to which,
should the present effort not lead to the desired
result, the Powers should consult about further
steps. Instead OF this clause Is substituted in
which the Powers reserve to themselves O
right to take jointly decision in such
eventuaty. In this way, while freedom OF
eventually proposing to agree to further
<i,n II
ton even to enter into discussion of measures.
This reservation Is intended to establish the diner
ence between diplomatic and armed intervention.
While accepting the first by the signature of the
protocol no Power could claim to acquired tho
right or authority from the guaranteeing Powers M
take execution into Its own hands,"


POSSIBLE HITCH SOMEWHERE.


All, however, is not over. The Pail MaU Gazette
this afternoon sounds warning note, as follows:-
'.The public will do well to form their judgment Of
the Eastern prospect from what was said in the
House OF Commons yesterday by Sir Stafford North.
cote rather than from the rapturous declarations
in the Times. Possibly it is fact that negotiation
has virtually ended because the Czar and Prince
Gortsohakon in their own minds may have
resolved to accept such notifications as have
been introduced into the protocol by England. But
SO far what is thought of these notifications and
what particularly is thought of the English stpulas
tions about disarmament Is unknown In this coun
try. We do not say the stipuatons will not be 40
cepted, but only that they were by no means with
out significance and that they have not been yet
asscnted to and that for aught tina. Is known they
may be met by objections more or less serious.
In short, the position Of affairs today is
just what 1t was yesterday and though 1t Is rear
sonabe to hope that the protocol itself is as good
as settled, and though they may be justified who
look for assent to some form OF agreement binding
Russia to disarm when the protocol is signed they
will be wisest who remember that diplomacy is a
slippery game, and that even II all hopes and ex.
pectatons OF the hour are realized, peace NAV
have yet to struggle out Of the woods.v


WHERE THE HITCH MAY COME.


The danger to peace need not, as superficial oh.
servers here hasten to state come from some
direct breach OF the conditions by Russia but
rather from the blind and reckless conduct OF Tur-
key herself OF course, II Russia is determined on
war she may well make protocols II she is certain
that Turkey will make them useless. Russia must
be doing something just now, and playing at
protocol suits her admirably. learn
on good authority tonight that England
will permit Rnssa to take her own course II a!tsr