ENGLAND'S PROSPECTS IN 1879.

Temuka Leader, Volume 2, Issue 131, 22 March 1879, Page 3

ENGLAND'S PROSPECTS IN 1879.

In the general prospect, on which the present year has opened, there is less ground for apprehension than some alarmists have discovered. The internal conditions of every European people are such as to render it imposaible for them to cherish any aggressive designs without jeopardising their domestic peace. In Russia, Nihilism and almost bankruptcy ; in Germany, Socialism and embittered controversy between Protectionists and Free Traders ; in Austria, the strain to. which the .Constitution has been already subjected by the events of the last few months, are enough to make the idea of foreign war distasteful in the extreme to the Cabinets of the Continent. The peace of Europe seems assured, not because the era of wars is over, but because, at tfche present moment, the enterprise of war is impracticable. In the East there is more reason for anxiety. Here we ('Home News') know very little, save by vague rumour, of Russian movements in Central Asia, and the utterances of the 'Golos' to which attention has been drawn in our Summary, may, of course, clearly point to the adoption of a policy, or may merely be designed as the cloak of loss pacific intentions. Then, again, there are the relations between Russia and China, and the consequence which these may involve for England. The arrival of a Chinese Embassy at St. Petcrsbu.gh is, under any circumstances, an intersting event, and its consequences may prove to be much more than interesting. Meanwhile, the settlement of the Berlin Treaty goes on in Europe better than might have been expected, and though the terms on which an occupation of Eastern Roumelia may be effected after the Russian evacuation are not yet definitely arranged, there is no reason to apprehend that any insuperable difficulty will occur. It we look a little, further East than this—to Asia Minor—the condition of tilings that meets ns is not equally hopeful ; the Anglo-Turkish Conv. ;.;ion has as yet done nothing, and it is difficult to see how, unless we are entirely to change our relations with the Porte, itis to accomplish anything. The moral to be drawn from the correspondence between Lord Salisbury, kir Henry Layard, and Savet Pasha i\ exceedingly simple. The Sultan is only too anxious

to execute those reforms which the Englisii Government presses upon him, but in order that he may execute tliem he pleads for time and m<>noy._ There are objections, he urges, against the apparent surrender of his own supreme rights, which his acquiescence h\ such proposals as the appointment of irremovable judges would, in in the eyes of many of his subjects involve ; but this point and others he is perfectly willing to waive. The only thing is, a reasonable period of time must be allowed to elapse in order that the funds necessary for the reforms may be forthcoming. There is, iio dotib't, much reasonableness in this demand, but days, weeks, and months past, and nothing is done ; the English Government can only protest, and the -Sultan can only answer, that haste is to be deprecated, and that his exchequer is empty. This is how the matter stands at the present moment, and the correspondence in question ends with a reiterated protest from Lord Salisbury that the Sultan will delay no longer, but not a word is said as to the limit of time within which the work is to be accomplished, and not a word either as to the maimer in which the requisite funds are to be forthcoming. Matters cannot indefinitely continue in this state ; we shall have to define our responsibilities in Asia Minor, and if these responsibilities are to mean anything, they will involve, directly or indirectly, the expenditure of English capital, and there is nothing to make one think that s'icli an expenditure, or anything like that step, would be approved of by the English people. Thus our present relations with the Porte in Asia Minor can only be described as those of a state of deadlock.