NEWS OF THE WEEK.
IT is rumoured in every direction that negotiations are to be re- sumed. The Russian Government, it is stated, has rejected the British demand that a promise to demobilise should be inserted in the Protocol, but has agreed, if the protocol is signed, to give a written assurance that she will disarm in certain contingencies, such as a Turkish demobilisation, a settlement between Turkey and Monte- negro, and an arrangement between Russia and Turkey, to be made by direct negotiation. The British Government upon this accepts the protocol, merely adding a clause that it -stall not come into operation until demobilisation has be- gun. The friends of the Ministry, who began to fear that Lord Derby would sustain a diplomatic defeat, as well as a real one, are exultant, and declare that peace is as good as made. As nothing is changed in the situation, Christ- ians suffering and Turks oppressing just as before, as the Ottoman Parliament has advised a refusal of any concessions to Montenegro, and as the Turks are elate with their victories and think themselves invincible, we still doubt all these reports, which signify only that the Czar and Lord Derby will make a truce if they can. There is a third party involved in the struggle,— Turkey ; and Turkey, already rampant, is to be further encour- aged by the reappointment of a British Ambassador at Con- stantinople.
