THE PROSPECT OF WAR.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 682, 26 August 1876, Page 2

THE PROSPECT OF WAR.

The telegram from Sydney which we publish elsewhere, with reference to the relations between Great Britain and England is alarming enough. In all probability, however, it refers to a despatch sent by the Suez mail. At the date of its departure affairs were in a most critical position, but subsequent telegrams show that immediate danger was over. On July 15th, one week subsequent to the departure of the mail, Lord Derby assured a deputation that a general war was most improbable; and again, on August 3rd, Mr Disraeli told the House of Commons that civil war between Turkey and her provinces would give no cause for interference. The Argus of the 16th has the following remarks on the situation;— “ The state of the Eastern question, as indicated by the letter of onr correspondent in Berlin, by the intelligence which has just reached us via California, and by the telegrams from London, which we published yesterday, is becoming more menacing to the peace of Europe than ever. The active and unconcealed intervention of Russia renders a continuance of the neutrality of the other powers almost impossible. It has been known for years past that the position of the Russian consuls in Servia was almost exactly analogous to that of the British residents at the courts of the native princes under our protection in India ; and now we have both Servia and Montenegro set in motion against Turkey, and assisting the insurgents in Bosnia to combat the troops of the Sultan with Russian artillery, under the direction of Russian officers. According to Reuter’s telegrams, the conflict is raging most hotly iu the neighbourhood of Nissa, which lies at the entrance of the only valley giving access into Servia from the province of Upper Msesia. The reports with respect to the successes of thecombatants are too contradictory to admit of any safe conclusion being arrived at with respect to the prospects of the campaign ; but there can be no doubt of the fact that the Turks are fighting at a great disadvantage, owing to their distance from the base of their operations, while the cruelties of which they are reported to have been guilty towards the population of Bulgaria, on the testimony of numerous trustworthy letters from correspondents of the London papers, have so exasperated the inhabitants of that province, that, in the event of the Sultan’s troops meeting with a severe repulse, and being compelled to fall back upon Shumla and Yarns, they might have to fight their way through a country swarming with guerilla enemies. In the meantime, the utmost uncertainty appears to exist as to the line of conduct which will be pursued by the two German powers ; that of France being avowedly one of entire abstention, while the policy of England, Lord Derby says, will depend upon the possibility of acting in concert with the other powers. It is stated, however, that, in the event of a general war and of Turkey falling to pieces, Egypt is to be occupied by native troops from India, and that great preparations are being made there, with a view to this contingency, Snider rifles having been served out to all the cavalry. In the midst of the uncertainty that prevails, it seems to be pretty clear that England is determined to secure the highway to India and Australia, coute qui coute, and is taking the necessary precautions for that purpose with commendable promptitude.”