Year: 1878




tiOn.


LONDON, Dec. 29.-The Times to-day, in
leading article says:


The announcement that the sultan has in
vited her majestys government to approach
the car with view of bringing about nego
tiatlOns for peace viii tend to calm some OF
the fears which have been exciting the cOun-
try, and to hold out the hope that the dreadful
war may be brought to a 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 il should last much longer.
The circular to the powers showed that the
peace party at Constanunople had for time
got the upper hand with the proposed terms,
which would no doubt have been inadmiSSi-
bic even before the war, and which would
not bear discussion after the terrible bat
lies of the last six months, but the
porte did not intend the circular to be taken
at its word. Now that all powers have cour-
teously but firmly declined 10 approach Russia
with impossible conditions, the sultan has
wisely asked this country TO use Its good
offices to bring about negotiations for peace.
1t Is important that the government should
conduct the negotiations in spirit absolutely
free from partisanship. We are not parties to
the present contest. AS mediators our essen
tial Uuty is to convey the message from one
power with which we have no quarrel TO an
other power with which we have no quarrel.
We have doubtless great interests at stake,
political as well as commercial, and they Will
be urged at the proper moment; but in
the meanwhile it is our duty to act
as a friendly intermediary, and not as
rulers of the Indian empire. To take side
with one of the two powers, which we must
bring into contact, would be simply 10 make
our mission useless, and destroy the prospect
of peace. Our government will have 10 aScer-
tain whether Russia is willing to open negotia-
tionS, and what are her conditions OF peace. II
will then have to offer Turkey such advice as
may seem proper, and to present her answer.
1t may have to reason in an earnest spirit
with both billigerents in order to secure COM
mon 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 10
desperate courses, and thus multiply the per-
lis of Europe. While a mediator may seem TO
act as an advocate now of one power and now
of another, arguments must be dictated pure
ly o IA spirit of conciliation. No doubt the
government would have TO consider the inter-
ests of England, but the presentation OF them
would come in good time, and there is not the
slightest reason TO fear they Will be neglected.


The Daily News says:


The Ottoman government declares its desire
that negotiations for peace may DE brought
about on the present basis of facts, and as its
professior must be accepted as sincere, the
public Will wish IL success in its new policy.
IL can not be necessary that even upon the
most limited Interpretation of the office 1t has
assumed the queens government has assumed
primarily concerns Russia and Turkey, but
The eastern question is one which must be
considered by Europe. BY its present action
our government has taken upon itself the
character Of intercessor for one unfortunate
belligerent while acting also ofliclOusly for
EufOpcs Out IL has 10 ntIInOnlLc tnlS new
character with declarations which il has
I repeatedly made, and with the whole course
OF conduct, of which the least that can be said
is that il has now prepared the world for n
part il has now undertaken 10 play. On her
majesty's ministers may very much depend
whether the eastern question shall be now
settled, at least for many years TO come, or
this war be followed by mere truce-the pre-
| lude to a war even greater and more disas-
| trouS than that of which are now specta-
| tors. We are bound to hope that they will
prove equal TO their responsibilities.
WHAT THE BERLIN PAPERS SAY.


BERLIN, Dec. 29.-The North German Ga


zette says:


| If England merely seeks to sound Russia re-
specting her willingness to make peace and
/ the chances of a direct application of the
porte TO st. Petersburg, credit may be awarded
Great Britain for her meritorious intentions
| I'm any other case the theory of the Agence
| Russo that mediation, unless solicited by both
belIigerents, becomes intervention, may assert
/ itself. Regarding Intervention, Russia IN the
| fulfllmenS OF her mission can scarcely be
| stopped, even by the cleverest moves on the
political chess board.