It is certainly high time that Parliament should meet. The
Times' correspondent at Constantinople intimates that the British Ambassador resists the opening of the Dardanelles, which Turkey is willing to concede, and assures the Porte that, sooner or later, England will intervene. This is probably an exaggeration, as Mr. Layard, whatever his own views or those of his private corre- spondents, must take his orders from Lord Derby, whose views, wo imagine, very closely correspond to those ex- pressed in the remarkable article in Blackwood for January, headed "Peace or War ?" but it is certain that the calling of Parliament has filled all the Pashas with hopes that Britain will defend Constantinople, and that therefore they may protract the war till Russia, wearied out, gives way. Some among them even advise that no further serious resistance should be made, but Russia be allowed to advance till she threatens Constantinople, and thus brings England, and perhaps Europe, into the field on the Turkish side. Nothing can dissipate these ideas but a debate and a vote in Parliament.
