The journals, the telegraph-offices, the diplomatists in Constan- tinople, and
consequently in Vienna, Paris, London, and other places, are stirred to the last degree by a fresh "ultimatum" on which Prince Menschikoff is said to have insisted in his conference with the Sultan ; but which the influence of the other powers, in- cluding France, is said successfully to have withstood. The de- mand put forth in this ultimatum is said to be the right of Russia directly to protect the Christian subjects of Turkey,— a demand totally subversive of the Sultan's rights and power within his dominions. But inasmuch as that demand is said to have been made by Prince Menschikoff some time ago, it is difficult to understand how it can be the specific reason for the new anxieties and embarrassments which are evinced by the parties to the negotiations in Constantinople. Reports that Russia is actually preparing for entrance into the Turk- ish dominions—is actually contracting for a wooden bridge across the Pruth, to facilitate the passage of the army—appear on the surface to be inconsistent with the assurance that Prince Men- schikoff is leavin the field in possession of the diplomatic agents of other powers. The 'true state of things is evidently concealed, and not explained, by all these new reports. That there is some cause for anxiety cannot be hidden ; but as the diplomatists conceal all
they can, the nature of the new embarrassments, or the actual position of affairs, becomes more unintelligible every day.
