THE PROBABILITY OF WAR.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 309, 20 April 1877, Page 4

THE PROBABILITY OF WAR.

(Stan the fhuuutto " Star." The tone of the last European telepsam mi so warlike that it will create no ■reprise should the next European intelligence announce that Russia has declared war ftg*"" 1 * Turkey. So much has been written against Turkey., thai-* accepting 1 pK him, of it to> be true, the destruction of audi a despotism would seem to be fikdjjr to be » blessing to mankind. But luwta is a difficulty—the despotism no longer exists—Turkey has abolished it and adopted a constitutional form of government. It may not be that suggested by the European delegates who met to dictate the terras on which Turkey was to be intact* bat it is the only possible ■. ,'.>«•! to European opinion consistent *itl» nation dignity; it is an acknowledgment that things were formerly go bad tfcat reformation was necessary. Tito action taken by Tar key is only tue asr rtion of a right to manage its own affair*, t- tight its own battles, and to in itft own way with subjects in an attitude of rebellion. This is precisely what any nation would and should do. and to this extent the spirited refusal of Turkey to submit t<» dictation is more to be admired than deprecated. But supposing the condition of Turkey is So desperate as to justify foreign intecven tion, thosw who advocate the remedy have a« much to say against Russia as against the Moslem. It is difficult to find an excuse for Russian interference, if the design* attributed! to the Government are so purely selfish the popular theories of the day assert they are i and still more difficult to understand why a conference of nations should allow Russia to act as a sort of moral: European policeman when those designs are so patent to the world as the popular expounders of European politics have made them—if true. The probability is that Europe is c> filing to its senses, and is declining to interfere in Quarrels in w' udi us nations they are not involved. If i'nrkjy defends itself successfully «gait..->.. Russia, it will be proof that national vitally is not extinct ; if, on the other hand, .finssia succeeds and breaks up the Otn uian Empire, in our opinion the world v»iil gain very materially. It will place provinces now oppressed under more enlightened rulers. That a clear understanding on the subject has been arrived at amongst the jrreat Powers may bo fairly assumed, or they would not take the attitude of mere lookers-on. This advantage at any rate will be gained—both belligerents, should war really take ptaej, wiU be so weakened that neither will be in a position to defy any reasonable sug{eations as to final territorial adjustments, t really is a quarrel between two nations bankrupt, already. IE they fight, the longer the struggle the weaker each will become, and, so far as they are concerned, the more easily will they be brought to reason.