Europe believes itself—a little prematurely—to be once more secure of
peace. Yesterday week, Mr. Disraeli, in reply to Lord Hartington, stated that the Berlin Memorandum had been with- drawn ; that the new Government of Turkey was not to be un- duly pressed ; and that Great Britain had joined the other Powers in persuading Servia to remain at peace. This speech, followed as it was by a Russian intimation to Belgrade that war must be postponed, was understood everywhere to mean that Russia had _given way before British opposition ; all Stocks rose, and ever since Tories have been hurrahing about the position of England in the world, ' and the wisdom of the present Govern- ment. As we have tried to show elsewhere, some energy 'has been manifested, but the wisdom of its direction is more than questionable. The Cabinet has not intended to protect Turkey, but only to baffle Russia, but the effect of its action is to strengthen the hands of the Turks in keeping down their Christian subjects. The Government, it is true, is pressing the Sultan for reforms ; but it knows quite well that refbrms granted by Turks are intended only to deceive Europe, and neither will nor can be carried out.
