The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-04-06 00:00:00

THE OPINIONS OF THE GRAND
DUKE NICHOLAS.

The Correspondent of The Tintes,, writing from San
Stefano, under date April 2, gives the following :

Haviog had the advantage of a conversation with the
Graad Duke Nicholas I am in a position to speak confidently
upon 'Russian policy and opinions, and at this critical
moment it seems opportune to make his views public. He
stated that the object of the Russian policy was essentially to
make Bulgaria a self-governing province tributary to the
Sultan, and to insure to the Christian inhabitants of Turkeiy
the same rights as were enjoyed by Mussulnrans, the former
being protected from the misgovernment which had proved
so baneful in past years, while at the same time the
lives and property of the Mussulman population were
equally respected. The boundary of Bulgaria as fixed by
the Treaty was not, in his opinion, an essential condition.
It might be altered so that the interests of other Powers
should not be interfered with. At the same time, he did
not think that Russia would consent to alter the delimita-
tion for the sake of adding new provinces to the Greek
Kingdom, neither could the wish of Turkey to limit the ex-
tension a Bulgaria to the Balkan range be complied with.
Russia was intitled to an indemnity, and the cession of cer-
tain Asiatic cities was the easiest way of obtaining an equiva-
lent for the principal portion of the indemnity. Europe was
fully aware of the Emperor's intention regarding the
Asiatic territory a month ago. The Emperor had no wish
to take Constantinople, neither did he desire to drive
the Turks out of Europe. The Dardanelles and the Bos-
phorus should remain as at present. A strong party in
England had led the Turks to believe that Britain would,
aid them. Now there was a desire evinced by the in-
fluential part of that nation to take more from the
Turks and give it to Greece. ;This policy was fully com-
prehended by the Sultan, whose position was very difficult
and painful. It was easy to understand that the Sultan
should remain neutral in the event of a war between
Russia and England. He had reason to know that
the Sultan would be glad to see his territory freed
from Russian qui]. English forces. If the English fleet were
to leave, the embaroation of the Muscovite troops would
immediately commence; but at this moment it was impos-
sible that Russian transports should be placed at the mercy
of the English fleet, or that their present positions should
be abandoned. With reference to the embarcation of their
troops from the Bospnorus, he never thoug.it that objections
would be raised to the step. It must have been evident to
every one cognizant of the strength of the Russian troops
and their proximity to Buyukdere. that the position could
have been occupied without difficulty. All arrangements
had been made with the full knowledge and consent of
the Turks. There never was any arriere-pensee in the pro-
posal. The sole object was to ship the troops at the most
convenient spot and as quickly as possible. In deference,
however, to English feeling the plan was abandoned, though
the preparations had involved a loss of -over 90,000 roubles
to Russia. In every way the Emperor had acted so that de-
fined British interests should not be touched, He thought
the Treaty ought to have been discussed between England
and Russia and a serious effort made to come to a
common understanding. The proposals of the Con-
stantinople Conference were the basis upon which the
Treaty bad been framed, and alterations were the conse-
quence of subsequent events. In his opinion, there were no
grounds for war, and were England to force a quarrel upon
Russia. she would not obtain the approval or support of the
other Powers. Russia had accomplished the objects for
which she had undertaken the war, and all who had been
nctively engaged in it were heartily tired of it and longing
to return home. Nevertheless, if a new war were declared,
every one would be ready to net for the Emperor and for
Russia. He still, however, hoped that the war might be
avoided and that the peaceful disposition of the Emperor
and the good sense of the English people would prevent a
rupture.