New Zealand Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4540, 8 October 1875, Page 2

New Zealand Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8.

English and foreign news, to hand by the Alhambra at the Bluff, is of more than passing interest. The Eastern war cloud is gathering, and events appear to succeed each other in that precise order which those acquainted with the political and social organisations of the peoples affected, would naturally expect. The time has come for the Sclavonic tribes of SouthEastern Europe to resume their position upon the roll of Christian States. The rising in Herzegovina was not an unpremeditated ebullition of outraged feeling on the part of the Christian inhabitants, on account of some recent act of oppression, although the extortion of the tax collectors was the ostensible cause. It was the outbreak of a revolt that had long been premeditated, and which only the stern repressive system of the Turks, and want of active sympathy with the oppressed nationalities by the Western Powers, prevented breaking out years gone by. But Servia first, next Roumania, then Montenegro, wrested their political rights from the Porte, and the altered condition of European politics, the progress of railw.ays, the dissemination of accurate information regarding the social and religious condition of the Sclaves, created a reaction in course of time, and rendered the present movement inevitable. Hence what at first sight seemed only a rising of turbulent serfs against their masters, the lords of the soil, rapidly assumed the proportions of an organised rebellion. Conflicts between Turkish troops and the peasants were reported at wide distances from each other, and the importance of these actions may be estimated from the fact that the Turks lost four pieces of cannon, besides the prestige which they had previously enjoyed as the imperial and conquering race. Moreover, it soon became apparent that the leaders had well defined objects in view; and by previous advices, one of these was stated to be the ratification of the Montenegrin frontier, which has been unsettled since the independence of that principality was established, and the assumed infraction of which only a few months ago, led to the interference of the Great Powers, and satisfaction being done to the plucky little State. Another, and by far the more important, was the foreign autonomy of Bosnia and Herzegovina. These provinces have not the shadow of political independence. They are parcelled out into districts administered by pashas and officers appointed by the Porte, and although the condition of the peasantry has been greatly improved since the suppression of the feudal chiefs in Sultan Mahhotjd's time, they are nevertheless under the most galling servitude. It is not in human nature to suppose, however, that these people would remain in bondage to the Turk, when on their southern and northeastern borders men of their own race have won their independence after years of incessant fighting. Accordingly they have revolted, and from the news published by us to-day, war between Servia and her Suzerain appears imminent. The principality can bring an army of 200,000 trained and efficiently equipped men into the field ; and volunteers and sympathisers will at least double the number. Shouldßoumaniatako part in the fray, the Porte will have its hands full. Germany is waiting and expectant, while Russia, by her Chancellor, has declared in favor of the autonomy of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Austria is more nearly concerned in this question than any of the other Powers. The disturbed districts lie on her frontiers all round, and part of her subjects are allied, by ties of blood and sympathy with the insurgent peoples. "Blood is thicker " than water," and the fighting instincts of the Sclaves, who have yet to be industriously civilised, will hardly bo restrained by the artificial boundaries of States determined by treaties in which the people themselves had no voice. The Eastern question may seriously, and at no distant date, peril the peace of Europe. Should the insurgent provinces succeed in their attempt, and establish their independence, the death-blow will be dealt to the Porto as a European Power. The " sick man" is "veiy sick indeed, but he is not likely to die without a strugglo.

The relations of England to China are again of an unsatisfactory character, and hostilities may at any moment take place. The slaughter of British officers on the Burmese frontier, and other overt acts of the Chinese authorities, unchecked, by the Pekin Government, appear to be the immediate cause of the rupture. But it has been generally known that China was preparing for war on a large scale since the suppression of the Taeping rebellion through the energy and intelligence of British and French officers. The army has been, to a great extent, reorganised, and armed with the most approved weapons. As a proof that China can concentrate a mighty force on any given point, the absolute extinction of the Mahommedan kingdom on her north-western frontier, a few months back, is sufficient proof. The rivers_ are guarded, and approaches to great cities fortified. The dockyards are occupied night and day, and in addition, China now possesses ironclads like her ambitious neighbor Japan. Should England go to war with China it will be no child's play, and the tragedy of the Peiho forts may be enacted on a larger scale. Of English domestic news, the most favorable is the recovery in the price of wool. We regret that the harvest has not been good in England. Heavy floods and destructive gales are reported in Ireland and the northern parts of England, but the damage done is not mentioned. It will be observed that Sir George Bowen and Sir Julius Vogel travel by the same steamer, and may be expected in New Zealand on the Ist or 2nd of January. Sir George is not therefore at present going to an Indian Government. We are certain that the announcement of the return of Sir Julius Vogel will be received with satisfaction from one end of New Zealand to the other.