NEWS OF THE WEEK.
THE drift of events is towards war. Lord Beaconsfield's threatening speech on Thursday week was followed on Friday by a reply from the Czar, conveyed in the form of an answer to an address from the Moscow nobles and Municipal Council. The Russian Emperor spoke of the "unequal struggle" between Servia, aided by Montenegro, and Turkey ; declared that the Montene- grins had, "as on all previous occasions, shown themselves to be real heroes ;" admitted regretfully that "the same could not be said of the Servians," even when assisted by "our volunteers ;" repeated his ardent desire for peace, but concluded with a promise, the words of which we give elsewhere, that if Turkey would not give the necessary guarantees for the good government of the Christian provinces, he would "act independently," and summon Russia to his aid. There is a disposition, both on the Continent and in this country, to believe that the Czar in making this grave declaration was posing before his own subjects in order to outbid the Panslavic leaders, but it must not be forgotten that the words involve a pledge to the nation and the army which it will be very unsafe to leave unfulfilled.
