The Globe. MONDAY, MARCH 25, 1878.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1253, 25 March 1878, Page 2

The Globe. MONDAY, MARCH 25, 1878.

The cable telegrams announce that the summary of the treaty of peace has been published by tha Loudon Times, and that the articles agree in substance with the recent versions. So many contradictory reports have appeared that it may be interesting to look back upon what has already been published. On February 25th a London telegram stated that the fresh conditions of peace demanded by Russia included the prohibition of the passage of the Dardennells by all waxvessels, but the free navigation of it by merchant ships; an indemnity of fourteen hundred million roubles, to cover which Turkey was required to cede her ironclad squadron, the cities of Kars, Batoum, Bayazid, and Ardahan, and the territory comprised in the Russian occupation of Asia Minor. Forty millions sterling of the indemnity was to be secured by bonds, the interest of which was to he guaranteed by the tribute paid by Bulgaria and Egypt to the Porte. The announcement of the above conditions was probably made in order that some of them might be withdrawn again. The proposals as to the passage of the Dardanelles originally were that Russia and Turkey alone should have the right to use it for war vessels, but these terms were soon announced as withdrawn. The same was the case with the amended conditions quoted above. The demand for the Egyptian tribute immediately raised a storm in England. The Government redoubled their exertions, The Channel fleet was ordered to the Mediterranean and a second one formed. The Commander-in-Chief of the army was announced, and to all appearance Avar Avas on the point of breaking out. Meanwhile the terms of the treaty of peace were kept secret. But on March 6th it Avas announced that the conditions menacing to British interests had been withdrawn, that Bulgaria would be made autonomous under a Prince (chosen by an assembly of notables), who Avas not to be a member of any of the leading reigning families. The country, howeA r er, Avould be occupied by Russian troops for tAvo years. At the same time it Avas stated that the European Congress would be held at Berlin, presided over by Prince Bismarck, instead of at Baden-Baden. The negotiations for this Congress had been opened by Austria, on the basis proposed by England. What the basis Avas may be gathered from subsequent telegrams—viz., that the whole of the terms of peace should be submitted for the consideration of the Congress. On March 15th Ave find Sir Stafford Northcote stating in the House of Commons that the British Government required, before agreeing to enter the Conference, that all the peace conditions should be submitted for consideration. Russia appears, however, to have a most decided objection to do so, and the consequence is that, according to tie latest telegrams, England and Austria were preparing as if they regarded war as inevitable. The ironclad squadron at Gallipoli has been reinforced, and negotiations entered into Avith Austria for the purpose of effecting an alliance between the two countries. Should the difficulty raised by England be got OA'er, and the Conference actually assemble at Berlin to discuss all the terms of peace, the danger to England is far from over, A Conference presided over by Prince Bismark may have but little regard for what are termed British interests, and before its sittings are over we may find not only Russia but Germany, and perhaps Austria, combined against us. The part said to be played by Bismark in recent events is not such as to give us confidence in the result of the deliberu, c £ tie Congress, Russia* it

is reported, was precipitated into a declaration of war with Turkey through a “ mysterious pressure from Berlin.” A Minister who can, by the exercise of his own will, precipitate an empire into war, may, if ho thinks it for the interest of Germany, virtually nullify British influence at the Congress. If the three Emperors further cement their alliance England will have to withdraw from the the Conference or consent to the partition of Turkish territory, which will be absolutely ruinous to British interests in the East. But whatever the result, it is evident that the approaching meeting will be one of the most important which has ever been held in recent times.