The usual rumours which precede a war are of course
afloat. It is said that Prince Nicholas of Montenegro will recommence hostilities on the 24th, and this is probably true, unkess he sends aid to the Miridites, who have already beaten the Turks back. It is reported that Crete will be in insurrection and Greece in the field before the end of the month, and that Persia has received a supply of officers and military material from Russia, rid the Caspian, in pursuance of a secret agreement which Captain Burnaby writes he has detected. It is also whispered that one Power, Italy, intends to go forward as an active ally of Russia, and lend Greece the nucleus of an army. All these rumours, except the one relating to Monte- negro, are probably premature or false, though of course if Turkey is defeated, all her enemies will be at once upon her, and she will probably lose Egypt and Arabia at a blow. The only certainties are that Austria has an army ready mobilised to occupy Bosnia if need be, that Montenegro is ready and eager, and that Greece will not lose the best opportunity she has had in this generation for recovering her provinces and islands.
