The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-09-21 00:00:00

AN EASTERN POLICY SUPPORTED
BY RAILWAYS.

The Daily Telegraph of Tuesday publishes the following
Letter :

Sir,—The ambitious and aggressive spirit nourished
now for a long time by Russia towards Turkey in
the present, and towards England through her Indian
possessions in the future, ought to lead to an intimate
connection between the countries thus threatened.
It would do so, and to the advantage of both countries,
but Englishmen neglect their opportunities, some
from thinking that the present is all we need care
about, others that changes may occur in Russia it-
self to save us from the consequences they see
plainly enough the future will otherwise bring
upon us. They think that revolution and change
of dynasty, or even a more de uocratic form
.of
government, may transform 11 into a quiet
and peaca.ble neighbour. But did the aims of France
differ in principle in the reigns of the Bourbons and
Napoleons? And the present Republic has yet to
show, when it consolidates its power, that it will be
lees aggressive than the Republic of 1794. Before
supposing that Russian ambition will cease with the
Roma,noffs, it would be well to know whether there are
not forces in Russia which are urging them on. Such
forces exist in all nations. If thirty-five millions of
French, or German, or English people have territorial
ambitions, will seventy millions of Russian people ever
prove without such? And can these be gratified ex-
cept at the expense of Turkey, and of England's
Indian Empire, when nearly all between these
countries and the Arctic circle is already in Russian
hands?

The only check to the onward march of Russia, and
annexation after annexation, is the barrier which
nations strong in themselves, or by union together.
afford. Russia does not seek to extend on the side of
Germany or of Austria. Neither will she be able to
do so on the side of Turkey and of India if these states
combine to prevent her doing so; but if Turkey is
annexed to Russia India will become indefensible.
Some advocate a parochial or insular against an
Imperial policy, forgetting that it is the latter which
makes us a rich nation, and safe at our own firesides.
If we allow our Empire to be dissolved or seriously
trenched upon, we shall have a population discontented
for want of that employment which our large and
secure commerce now affords; and, weakened at home
and abroad, shall in the end be taxed by one invader
or another, or several combined.
To retain the piivilege of taxing ourselves, we !Rust
be jealous of letting the power and supremacy we
now possess pass into the hands of others. To allow
Asiatic Turkey to be annexed to Russia would occa-
sion the loss of India, for neither Persia nor Afghani-
stan could resist the conqueror of Turkey and Central
Asia, and we could no longer maintain our present
naval ascendancy and security in the Mediterranean.
It is easier now, by uniting intimately with the
Ottoman nation, to keep Russia back from the Medi-
terranean, and from appearing before India with
Turks, Persians, and Afghans in her armies, than,
these accomplished, to oppose her effectually with our
forces outnumbered and our communications every-
where interrupted. As our power abroad declines, so
will our riches, and therefore the means of maintain-
ing power will be lessened.
Whatever tends to strengthen Turkey should be ap-
plied without delay. We have already allowed Russia
to advance too far, and must make greater exertions
in the future to remedy our default. One important
means to that end is to carry railways into and through
Asiatic Turkey, that these railways may carry aid
in war, and commerce in peace, to Turkey and to
India.

Railways, unlike ironclads, artillery, and fortifica-
tions, are no less serviceable in peace than necessary
in war—witness the disadvantages Austria suffers in
Bosnia and Herzegovina from the want of railways.
Ordinary railways in Turkey, may be left to private
enterprise, but the main lines of communication
between Europe at Constantinople, and India at the
Persian Gulf or Kurrachee—railways important
as strategic lines for defence of Turkey and
India, and as great commercial arteries—can
only be taken up under a guarantee from England;
and the sooner the country urges our Government (I)
to fix upon the proper lines in a national sense, (2) to
arrange suitable conditions with the Porte, (3) and to
pass an Act of Parliament ratifying a guarantee, the
safer for British interests, Imperial and parochial, and
for the freedom from Russian thraldom of the Ottoman
people.—l am, Sir, your obedient servant,
BLANTYRE.
Erskine, Glasgow, Sept. 14.