Russia and the Turkish Revolt.
Advices from the revolted provinces are not so indicative of a speedy adjustment favorable to the Turks as they were a week or two ago. At that time the best authorities seemed to unite in regarding the Herzegovinian affair as at an end, whatever might be the result in Servia, but the dispatches lately changed their character, and now it looks as though the insurgents would be able to hold out for an indefinite period. It is said, moreover, that voluntary subscriptions in aid of the insurgents have suddenly increased, especially in Russia, so that quite a large amount has been placed at the disposal of the Russian consuls for the aid of refugees and for kindred purposes. This may account for a late dispatch stating that the Herzegovinians have received a thousand breech-loaders from Montenegro, and have convoked an assembly for the purpose of organizing a national government. This does not look as though the Turks were to have things all their own way yet; and the telegraph confirms this version by announcing that Austria has been invited by the northern powers to name the guarantees, which, as the most interested of the great nations, she thinks should be required of the Porte. It is believed, therefore, that Turkey will be unable to suppress the insurrection, and that by general consent Austria will be authorized to interfere within a few months.—Christian Union of Nov. 10. It is at least an odd coincidence that the Russian sympathy with the revolt in Northern Turkey should have received an impetus almost simultaneously with the following imperial order, issued at St. Petersburg, Nov. 6th: “The territory on the right bank of the Syr-Daria, from the Russian frontier to the River Nareen, hitherto belonging to Khokand, is annexed to Russia.” Of course this will arouse more or less panic in England; for although the territory in question is of no special importance, its formal annexation is a step toward the favorite Muscovite plan of rectifying the southern frontier, and threatens indirectly the jealously-guarded British possessions in Northern India. At the same time a religious war is on the point of breaking out at Perak, on the Malayan Peninsula. The British Residency has been attacked and there is every prospect that force will be required to reduce the disaffected natives to submission. If this “unpleasantness” should happen to grow into a religious war, the Prince of Wales and his friends may have a chance to distinguish themselves, if so inclined.—Christian Union of Nov. 17.