The country was startled on Saturday last by a statement,
made with rather unusual pomp, that the Sultan had requested the British Government to approach the Czar with a view to negotiations for peace, and that the Government had consented to accept the mission. The promise was carried out in a despatch from Lord Derby to Lord A. Loftus, couched, it is said, in these words : — " Her Majesty's Government begs to inform his Majesty the Emperor that the Porte is ready to open peace nego- tiations. The Emperor's wisdom and his repeatedly expressed love of peace justify her Majesty's Government in the hope that the Emperor will lend a favourable ear to the Sultan's request." Prince Gortschakoff's answer has not yet been published, but it is well understood that he reaffirmed the Emperor's wish for peace, but held that as a preliminary the Turkish Government must request an armistice from the Generals in the field. The reply was. perfectly courteous, but contains, it is reported, no indication of the terms to be demanded. According to tele- grams from Constantinople, these are most moderate, too mode- rate indeed to be of use ; but the telegram compilers probably get them from the Turks, who are hinting in this way what they will give.
