The Globe. TUESDAY. JUNE 25, 1878.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1361, 25 June 1878, Page 2

The Globe. TUESDAY. JUNE 25, 1878.

The announcement this morning that the Russian concession has removed the crisis with regard to tho Eastern situation is welcome news to all who have been looking forward with anxiety and dread to the probability of a great war. Those concessions, as far as tho brief telegrams to hand explain, have reference to the boundaries of New Bulgaria. By the Treaty of San Stefano it was proposed to erect a large Slav State south of tho Danube, under the auspices and control of Russia, possessing [important harbors on the shores of the Black Sea and Archipelago. The Marquis of Salisbury. in his circular, pointed out that the general effect of this portion of tho Treaty was to increase the power of tho Russian Empire in the countries and on the shores where a Greek population predominates, “ not only to tho prejudice of that nation, but also of every country having interests in the east of the Mediterranean Sea.” The progress of tho negociatious in Congress has naturally been anxiously watched. The views of the British Cabinet had been so emphatically expressed that it was generally felt that unless large concessions were made by Russia war must be tho result. To all appearance tho firm and determined attitude of England has saved the nation from either humiliating and ruinous concessions, or a great and wasteful war Russia has agreed that the Balkans shall be the southern boundary of Bulgaria, which, instead of the Danube, is to bo the future barrier against northern aggression. A glance at the map shows how completely this fresh arrangement alters the whole position of the Turkish Empire in Europe, As proposed in tho Treaty of San Stefano, a largo track of country south of the Balkans was to bo placed in the hands of the New Slav power. There were no natural means of defence against invasion on either side. As shown by the Marquis of Salisbury the stipulation had also the effect of practically severing from Constantinople the Greek Albanian and Slavonic Provinces, which were still left under tho Government of the Porte, and would cause their administration to be attended with constant embarrassment. But all this has been altered. Turkey is about to fortify tho Balkans, and her recent experience should enable her to render tho passes practically impregnable. From being in a position of political dependence the Government of Constantinople wjll be relieved from the pressure which Russia hoped to continually exercise upon her, and so get into her own hands as effectually as if she hold Constantinople, “tho natural highway of nations between the yEgean Sea and the Buxine.” If the other stipulations of the Treaty of San Stefano are similarly dealt with, as far as England and Europe is concerned the Congress will be pronouuced a groat success. The causes which have led to such largo concessions on the part of Russia are not difficult to discover. With the retirement of Lord Derby from the Cabinet terminated tho period of hesitating and half-hearted action on the part of British Government. Tho despatch of the Marquis of Salisbury awoke Europe and Russia to the fact that England had determined to make her voice hoard in the settlement of tho Eastern Question. Tffi- followed the agreement on the pari of Russia to submit the whole to the Congress, and the detormi T -' <lUOli °f Earl Beacousfield to person uJf y attend tho meeting was further r, M of that Groat Britain did not intend to rtn ,auy risk of a diplomatic defeat. But the ccrnUmious and energetic preparations for war iiavo evidently also produced a powerful effect. , + . ; nropo has discovered that Great Gritaiu can if she is forced into it, not only make her voice heard Congress, but could enforce her opinions by arms. But the act which seems to have especially roused Europe was tho despatch of native Indian troops to Malta, The Spectator, whoso Russian leanings are well known, says “Tho native army, in fact, has never been employed out of Asia, except in that neighbouring division of Africa which in Us political rela-

tions is a more annexe to the Asiatic world. In ordering Indian troops to Malta, as part of the preparations for a possible European war, Lord Beaconsfiold, who made the Queen Empress of India, and is always most interested in Britain as a groat Asiatic Power, has broken this tradition, and has shown to Europe and the world that he will, if necessary, employ all soldiers in the service of her Majesty as one army. # # # # The moaning of this selection, which for geographical reasons must be an inconvenient one, is obviously to show that the whole Indian army, of all branches and in all Presidencies, is at her Majesty’s disposal for European service, as much as the garrison of these Islands or the Queen’s Regiments in the colonies. That army now numbers 120,000 native effectives, and should the service be tolerably popular, it can bo recruited to almost any extent. * * * # If the Sepoys like foreign service, it is of no use for any native tribe anywhere, be they Kafirs or Zulus, or Chinese or Maoris, or Egyptian fellaheen, to rebel, for they are outnumbered by practically endless supplies of men who are their superiors individually, and who have all the advantages which good discipline, good leadership, and scientific handling can bestow. It would be as easy to send 10.000 native troops to the Cape as to Malta, and if those 10,000 were sup--1 ported by the Europeans now at the Capo, there exists no native opponent who could meet them in the field. Her Majesty will, in fact, have gained the disposal for her whole Empire of her whole Army, which consists at this moment of at least 300.000 regularly and fully-disciplined men.” The effect of England’s preparations has evidently convinced Russia that her opinion can no longer bo despised. Britain’s power at sea has long been acknowledged; her position as a groat military state is also beginning to be recognised. Hence the altered aspect of affairs in Europe. _