The crisis appears to have been produced by the conduct
of the Servians. The Turks, after carrying Djunis in an engagement during which the Servians fought very badly and a Russian regi- ment lost 700 men out of 1,000, attacked and carried the heights -commanding Alexinatz, and on October 31 occupied that position and subsequently Deligrad, the Servian militia and artillery re- fusing to fight any more. This is attributed in some quarters to cowardice, in others to weariness of the war, and in others -to dislike for the Russian officers, but in any case it seems certain that the Servians • refused in the most discredi- table manner to continue fighting. The road, therefore, lay open to Belgrade, and it may be considered certain that were Servia and Turkey face to face alone, Servia would be rele- gated to her ancient slavery. It is quite possible that the con- duct ef the Servians is attributable in part to the soldiers' disgust wini their inferior weapons, but in any case it will have a disastrous ezz,n4 upon European sympathies, and must influence the ultimate terms or r The first condition for the Christians of Turkey, if they want to continue free, is severe and sedulous military training. They cannot be defended for ever.
