EASTERN COMPLICATIONS

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 10, 1878

EASTERN COMPLICATIONS.

A General European War Threatened.

LONDON, Dec. 29.—There is general and profound depression everywhere in England, caused largely by the uncertainty with reference to the future, and the fear of war. The change of the British fleet to Smyrna gives strength to the rumor in reference to taking possession of Egypt. Business is substantially at a standstill. The war and peace advocates are making constant and impassioned appeals to the public, but the former are making the most noise. Monster public demonstrations are being devised in order to influence the action of Parliament in the interest of Turkey. There is no question as to the gravity of the situation. The menace to Russia involved in calling Parliament together, in place of having the effect to check Russian ambitious projects, has resulted in defiance, increased pretensions, and the announcement that Russia, to vindicate her power, must take Constantinople.

The attitude of England, by increasing the arrogance of Russia, forces England nearer the brink of war. Preparations are certainly being made for such an eventuality, and vast supplies of canned food are being shipped to Malta. It is said, on excellent authority, that 60,000 Indian troops are being prepared to move at a call. That Egypt, either by force or purchase, will be taken possession of is a contingency liable and almost sure to occur. It is urged that the present is the most favorable time for war, owing to the vast number of unemployed men who would enlist to avoid starvation.

Information from Berlin is to the effect that Bismarck is determined to break up the French Exposition. To accomplish this, he will urge Russia to demand impracticable terms, so as to necessitate England interference. Germany will then send a force to aid Russia. France, he believes, would not be able to resist the opportunity to attack Germany, whereupon he would turn on France and complete the work done in the Franco-Prussian war, and which did not leave France sufficiently broken to suit the interests of Germany. From the tone of the English and Continental press, a war involving the greater portion of Europe is very likely to be the outcome of the present situation.—Boston Herald.