of agitation and negotiation is that to Russia
is left the task of driving the Turks out of Europe single-handed.
Well, Russia is content, and not only content, but pleased. She does
not object to being left to seek her own ends by her own means, and
would like nothing better than to have all the other powers take the
position of disinterested bystanders while she whops poor little Johnny
Turk, and takes as much as she likes of his territory by way of
indemnity. She meant this all along, and it has been amusing to see how
she has with a combination of tact and persistency attained her end. Of
course as to her motives there can be no doubt; they are purely
philanthropic and religious. It is for the Christians in the Turkish
provinces, about whom England began the disturbance, the result of
which promises to be Russia's success and her own discomfiture. The
attitude of Turkey wins respect and sympathy. It has been manly in
tone, and in diplomacy not unskilful. The Turks have always shown a
combination of stubbornness and craft which have made them, except in
the field, more than a match for their Christian enemies. Without
approving Turkish faith or life, we may yet admire the firmness and
dignity with which they have refused to submit to a dictation which
would exclude them from the rank of independent nations. They made the
mistake of not putting the Czar palpably in the wrong, which they would
have done by sending the embassy to St. Petersburg to treat of
disarmament. But he would have probably wriggled but of this position
in some way; and of this they may have felt sure. Plainly the Turks
feel that they are in a crisis of their national existence, and they
are desperate. They know of course that between Great Britain and
Russia there is a determination to drive them out of Europe, and that
their only safety thus far has been in the rivalry and jealousy of
those two powers. Since the effort is to be made, they feel that they
are in as good a condition to resist it now as they ever will be; and
with the desperation of their character they have gone into the unequal
fight. What will be the end, no one can foresee; but of one thing we
may be sure, that the British Government will not fight for the Turks,
and as certainly they will not fight with Russia against them. Neither
Germany nor Austria is likely to spend blood and treasure for the
aggrandizement of Russia. Therefore, although some publicists look for
a great chan