The opponents of the Liberal Government are greatly pleased, but
without much reason. They believe that France will abandon the concert of Europe, and that the English people will sympa- thise with Turkey. The action of France, however, is far from -certain, M. Gambetta strongly advising concerted action ; while Austria, of course, only holds Bosnia and the Herzegovina on condition of carrying out the Treaty of Berlin. Russia and Italy are definitely in favour of action,—Italy, indeed, as reported, having signed a treaty of alliance with Great Britain ; and the Emperor of Germany, in reply to an appeal from the Sultan, has declared that he cannot separate himself from the signatory Powers. As to opinion in England, it will speedily be manifest, but we believe it to be this. Outside "Society "—which is not this time unanimous— and some Radicals who think for themselves, the feeling for any special policy in the East is not strong ; but the feeling that the Government, having spoken, should not allow itself to be defeated, but should go forward, even if the next step is war, is nearly universal. There is a clear sense that if Great Britain recedes after having appealed to her great weapon—the Fleet— her influence in the world is over. There is no sympathy for Turkey, and not much for Greece, which has not fought, but a great deal for "Europe," and Great Britain.
