NEWS OF THE WEEK
rE diplomatists assembled at Constantinople in informal conference have agreed upon a scheme,—a Commission to be escorted by a foreign force of not more than 6,000 men,—as a basis to be submitted to the formal Confer- ence which should meet to-day, and in which Turkey would take part. It is reported, however, and we believe upon good grounds, that Midhat Pasha, the new Grand Vizier, has con- veyed to the Ambassadors assurances, in which they believe that the Porte will give no guarantees whatever, and that as to conces- sions to the Christians, they will be made in the form of a Con- stitution, to be immediately promulgated. As no Constitution can secure to the Christians more than is already secured by Imperial decrees, none of which are observed, this amounts only to a non-possumus, and unless Russia openly retreats, must be followed by war, for which the Turks say they are prepared. The chances of a Russian retreat are small, as the Emperor would be considered to have failed in his pledges not only to the world, but to his own army, and the week therefore closes with war in the near future.
