To comprehend the Eastern Question in a thing not given to ordinary mortals; and sessing how it assumes different phases from day to day in Europe, it is no wonder that the recent telegrams sent to China render the enigma still more insoluble. No one has as yet suggested o feasible means of getting over the difficulties of the situation. Turkish rule is past reform, and that of the subject states seems hopeless. None of the races, in fact, now inhabiting European Turkey have ever shown an aptitude for government, and the affairs of the past year have failed to lope any leader capable of taking leading part. The rale of Russia, judging from the cases of Poland and ral Asia, would be no improvement that of Turkey, and this opinion seems to be gradually gaining ground in Europe. It was apparently under such circumstances that Great Britain promised to agree to one of the many schemes propounded by the Continental constitution-makers, provided that the opportanity should: be afforded of per-trial. - So bad is, in fact, he Principalities, that it is difficult to imagine anything much though the proposed reforms would worse, except a state of actual war; and
almost certainly not work, would be afforded for the possible velopment of something that would. To give.the chance, however, it seemed actually necessary that present state of affairs, but little removed from actual war, should be put an end to, and that whatever scheme was attempted, 2 fair. chance of proving "ite strong and weak points should be afforded. Russia had massed large bodies of troops on the frontiers, which could only be looked upon as. continued threat, and which were certain to be applied to by.one. or other parties in the proposed, new Government, to, aid.its own ends;, and as reform-under such circumstances was plainly impossible, the British Govern. di ment demanded, in. retarn for its agreement to the Protocol, that Russia should demobilize its army and retire from.its threatening position. The request. was reasonable and just. If Russia had only in view the settlement. of the abuses in European Turkey, she had gained the assistance of the most powerful ally she could, have hoped for,, and the two powers could. certainly: have insisted on the needed reforms being carried out. - The answer of Russia plainly showed -that such was not her object,. Sign, the Protocol first, and afterwards she would think of what she would do. It was the old game of "shut your eyes and open: your mouth," and Russia would do what was proper; but Ri already made sundry promises which had not been very faithfully performed, and it was not very-long before it became evident that other games were being worked out. We do not know, except by telegraph, of the reported demand by Persia for Baghdad, nor do we know of the details of the threatened attack of Russia on Merv. The former report indeed..bas been denied, though: it is not inconsistent with what we had already heard of the hostile attitude assumed by the Persian Government towards the Porte. We know that an uneasy feeling has been excited in Affgbanistan, and we know that Russian agents have been more or less busying themselves in that m. Probably all those things intended as a threat to England but we have heard before of what -our American friends call speaking to Bunkum; and these foolish displays in Asia have very much of that character. We have all along blamed the apathy of the British Government in Central Asia, and the carelessness with which the- march. of - affairs-there—has been regarded. All the information at which we can arri#bigtes to prove the weak. ness_rather than the strength of Rus. sia's position; and that we, rather than arbitrator of the affairs of innet,; Asia... Unfortunately, race of statesmen arose, in India who, able governors at home, did nek take sufficiently wide view of things abroad, To them is due the consolidation: of our Indian Empire, but.they permitted much damage. to -be. done: without, where a. little: trouble, andia fow: words of frienilly advice would: have been'of inestimable value. If Russia is going not only to settle the Tarkish question in the West, britis desirous of stirring another agitation. from Persia to the Pamiryit.may, possibly happen that she will: find she haa.exceeded her powers of offence, very strong north-wind is blo The weather is very uncertain, Suit ibn the thermometer last: night showed mee of frost. shai; but here the e hear. spatrorerihing 18th April.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.