Mr. Forster publishes in the Times of Tuesday a short
but unanswerable letter defending Russia for rejecting the six months' armistice, and preferring the original English proposal of a six weeks' armistice, and the concession of a distinct treaty-right to the Powers to interfere on behalf of the Christian subjects of the Porte. The Ottoman Government rejected this demand when proposed by England, and now offers only a long armistice, "during which she will show what she will do." That is a very different thing, and amounts to a refusal to concede the one essential asked for. "We ought not, therefore, to be surprised if Russia adheres to this proposal." Mr. Forster, moreover, maintains that the best hope for the safety of Turkey-
is to accept this proposal promptly and at once. The time for such acceptance is, we imagine, now past, as the Christians will no longer be satisfied with anything short of a definite autonomy without Turkish garrisons, but according to the latest rumour, Lord Derby is pressing it once more.
