NEWS OF THE WEEK.
TORD DERBY has not purchased an escape even by throwing the children to the wolves. On Monday, peace was assured. On Tuesday, peace was certain. On Wednesday, peace had been made. But on Thursday there was a " hitch" somewhere, and on Friday it was known that Lord Derby had really made the .extraordinary proposal reported by his organs,—that the police should be demobilised, lest they might frighten the assassins from reforming,—and that it had been rejected. The Russian Govern- ment would only demobilise when Turkey had withdrawn the troops collected to defend her right to slaughter her Christians at discretion ; when peace had been made with Montenegro, whose Prince demands less than Lord Salisbury assigned him ; and when Turkey had commenced the reforms which she is always promising and never begins. Lord Derby, however, insists upon his " condition," and therefore either the negotiations must end, or Russia must withdraw her forces at the bidding of England,—that is, must suffer a blow equal to a great defeat in a great war. It is improbable, in spite of the indecision -of the Emperor, that the group of experienced men around him will allow Russia to sink to such a position as this ; and there is therefore a probability that justice will still be done, and Turkey compelled by force to make the concessions which she refused to the counsel of united Europe.
