The Eastern War | AdventAI

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 20, 1877

The Eastern War.

The prospects of Russia in the Eastern struggle continue favorable. Elated with the capture of Kars, they have summoned Erzeroum to surrender, announcing that, if refused, the place would be attacked by 80,000 troops with overwhelming artillery. Servia, is at last emboldened to enter the conflict, and her troops were to march to the frontier to-day. The warlike spirit of Greece is steadily rising, and great agitations exist among the people. The Montenegrins have renewed their undying struggle, and have won important victories in Albania. Rumors of foreign intervention, and of mediation, have been current, but have been positively discredited. There is no evidence that the war party in England is gaining strength, but much evidence to the contrary. There is far more likely to be truth in the suggestion that England is already considering the virtual annexation of Egypt as an adequate compensation for any supposed detriment to British interests in the overthrow of the Turkish power.

Recent discussions in the Nineteenth Century, an English Review of great influence, have much significance. During the summer, a paper by Mr. Edward Dicey advocated this measure in the event, which seemed to him probable, of the breaking up of the Ottoman Empire. Mr. Gladstone took an opposing view in a subsequent article, maintaining that the independence of her Christian provinces is all that Christendom can justly demand from Turkey. Mr. Dicey replied, maintaining his previous position. As a result of the discussion we learn that George Van Bunsen, “an eminent member of the German Reichstag, was requested to say whether, in his judgment, Germany would consent to the assignment of Egypt to Great Britain. He replied in an exceedingly well-written and interesting article, which appeared in the Nineteenth Century, that he was quite sure no objection would come from the people or government of Germany.”

A striking confirmation of this view appeared last week in the fact, then first published, that Germany has proposed to assume the protectorate and guaranty the independence of Belgium, on condition that Belgium adopts the German military system and makes a close alliance with the Empire. This would virtually make Belgium a part of Germany, and would erect a formidable bulwark against France. It would be greatly to the advantage of Protestantism and of religious liberty, for papal influence has of late years been predominant in Belgium. There seems to be entire accord between Russia and Germany in carrying out their respective programmes. Great changes in the map of Europe seem to be impending. That they can be accomplished without war on a still larger scale seems altogether unlikely. Long cherished expectations of believing students of prophecy seem to be nearing their fulfillment.—Christian Statesman.