The Sun.
London, England, 1853-09-24 00:00:00

consecrate them again
"These words, 'ln the Ottoman Empire,' and these,
the maintenance of the immunities and privileges, &c.,'
are suppressed in order to be placed below, and to be
applied exclusively to the Sultans. This suppression
takes away the whole signification, and even the entire
sense of the mutilated passage ; for nobody denies to
the Sovereigns of Russia their active solicitude for the
faith which they profess themselves, and which is that
of their subjects. That which it was wished not to
recognise is, that at all times Russia has shown an active
solicitude for its co-religionists in Turkey, and for the
maintenance of their religious franchises, and that the
Government is resolved to adhere to that solicitude, and
to preserve those privileges intact.
The turn given to the phrase is so much the more un-
acceptable, because, by the expressions which follow,
there is attributed to the Sultans more than solicitude for
the orthodox worship. It is affirmed that they have
never ceased to watch over the maintenance of these im-
lunities and privileges, and to confirm them by solemn
The facts are diametrically contrary to what is
sere affirmed ; and, considering what has taken place
more than once lately, and especially in the affair of the
Holy Places, we are forced to seek a remedy for them
by requiring more positive guarantees for the future.
" If we consent to acknowledge that the Ottoman
Government has never ceased to watch over the main-
tenance of the privileges of the Greek Church, what then
becomes of the complaints which we have raised against
it? We should be ourselves admitting by it that we
have no substantial wrongs, that the mission of Prince
Menschikoff was without -motive, and, in a word.
that the note which has been addressed to us is itself
superfluous.
" 2d. The omissions and additions of words, which
are, made here with a striking affectation; have evidently
the object of enfeebling the treaty of Kainardji, whilst
assuming the appearance of confirming it. The wording
of the note first adopted at Vienna was, `Faithful to the
letter and to the spirit of the stipulations of the treaties
of Kainardji and Adrianople, relative to the protection
of the Christian worship, the Sultan regards it as due to
his honour to preserve from all attack the immunities
and privileges accorded to the orthodox Church.' The
reading which would turn aside the spirit of the treaty,
that is to say, from the general principle laid down in
the Bth article, relative to the maintenance of immuni-
ties, applies to the view which we had expressed, and to
which we still hold ; for, in our opinion, the promise to
protect a worship and its churches comprises within it
the maintenance of the immunities which they possess.
The two things are inseparable. This reading, first
adopted at Vienna, was afterwards subjected at London
and at Paris to a modification ; and if at that time we
did not raise any objection, as we had the right to do, it
was not that we made any illusion of the sense of the
change. We perfectly comprehended the difference
made between two points, which, in respect to us, are
inseparably united. But the distinction was indicated
in a manner so delicate that, in the spirit of conciliation,
and in the desire to arrive as soon as possible at a solu-
tion, we admitted the reading which from that moment
we have considered as invariable.
"These motives of condescension are no more applic-
able to the new changes which have been made in the
same passage at Constantinople. The line of demarca-
tion between the two objects is too strictly traced to
enable us to admit those changes without disowning all
that we have said and written. The mention of the
treaty of Kainardji becomes superfluous, and its confir-
mation without object, from the moment in which it is
ceased to apply the general principle to the maintenance
of the religious immunities of the Christian world. It
is with this end that these two words have been sup-
pressed—' the letter and the spirit.' They bring for-
ward without any necessity the fact that the protection
of the Christian worship is exercised by the Porte, as if
we raised the pretension to exercise ourselves that pro-
tection in the States of the Sultan ; and as they omit
at the same time to remember that, according to the let-
ter of this treaty this protection is a promise made by
the Sultan—an obligation accepted by him—it would
appear that they desired to question the right which we
have to see to the punctual fulfilment of that promise.
" 3d. The modification introduced into this passage
of the Austrian note is especially inadmissible. The Ot-
toman Government would bind itself only to allow the
orthodox worship to participate in the advantages which
it would accord to other religious communities subjects
of the Porte. But from the moment in which these
communities, Catholics or others, should not be consti-
tuted of native persons, but of foreign priests and laics
(and this is the case in almost all the convents, hospitals,
seminaries, and bishoprics of the Latin rite in Turkey),
from the moment, we say, in which it should please the
Porte to accord to these establishments new advantages
and privileges, the orthodox communities would not,
according to the words sought to be introuduced into
the note, have the right to demand the same favours for
themselves, nor Russia to engage herself for them.
"The ill-disposed intention of the Ministers of the
Porte will become still more evident if we indicate the
example of a possible case. Let us suppose the probable
case of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, the last ap-
pointed, receiving from the Porte privileges which the
Greek Patriarch has not. Every demand oil the part
of the last would be repelled, because he is the subject
of the Porte. The same objection might be taken by
the Ottoman Ministry in that which concerns the Ca-
tholic establishments in Palestine, as soon as a new ad-
vantage, not mentioned in the last firman, should be
accorded to them, to the detriment of the native com-
munities."

tiguity, are disposed and competent to express
their views with, distinct and unqualified emphasis.
They desire to see the pretensions of Russia paci-
fically but effectively checked, and, in so far as the
Turkish modifications involve any real barrier to
northern encroachments, they are inclined either
to support them in substance, by pressing them
upon the Czar as actually coincident with the Note
already accepted, or to give them practical effect
by another-Note, to be issued colleUively on the
part of the Conference, explaininr, its original con-
clusions in the sense afterwards affixed by the
Porte. These proposals, however, as comprising
an additional and somewhat marked step in oppo-
sition to Russia, are distasteful to the Cabinet of
Vienna—not, indeed, in principle, for there is no
Power so much interested as Austria in the prohi-
bition of Russian aggrandizement, but as bringing
her into disagreeable collision with a Court to
which she is onerously indebted, and from which,
in time of need, she may anticipate either fatal en-
mity or all-important support. These considera-
tions will enable everybody to comprehend the
purport of the intelligence referred to.
We still regard it as of the very highest moment
that the solution of the present Turkish question
should proceed from, the combined action of the
Four Powers. It is not that we distrust the power
of France and England in alliance, or even of one
of them alone, to impose moderation upon the
Court of St. Petersburg, but the combined action
of Europe, and that only, is certain to be both
pacific and effectual. If the Emperor of Russia can
be placed in such a position by the opposition of all
the Four Powers that any advance on his part
must be directly against the recorded convictions
and the material resources of united Christendom,
it is exceedingly improbable that such advance
would be made at all ; but, if the protest against
his proceedings is confined to one or two of those
Powers, not only is the strength of the controlling
force proportionately impaired, but, what is of
much greater consequence, the moral delinquency
of Russia would be relieved by the circumstance
that if half Europe thought her wrong half might
be still represented as thinking her right. It is
the system, in short, of adjusting all disputes by
the collective and irresistible action of the great
Powers in common which has for nearly forty years
preserved the peace of Europe, and imparted to
our own generation its characteristic ftatures of
tranquillity and progress. We earnestly trust,
therefore, that a principle of such proved import-
ance may be still maintained, and that, since the
desires of Austria cannot in reality differ as to the
substance of the arrangement from those of France
and England, some means may be found to give a
diplomatic expression to what is virtually a unani-
mity of opinion.

(Bronx the Daily News.)
We now publish the second dispatch of Count
Nesselrodd to Baron Meyendorff. Its tenor
exactly corresponds with the account we were
enabled to give of it two days ago. It explains the
sense in which the Czar accepted the Vienna note,
and this sense is one in which the Sultan never
could accept the note without sacrificing his own in-
dependence and self-respect; and in wich France
( From, the Morning Chronicle.) and England could not invite the Sultan to accept it
We published yesterday, in a portion of our im- without treading on the rights of an independent
pression, that second dispatch of M. de Nesselrode State. Count Nesselrode declares that his master
to the Russian ambassador at Vienna to which we cannot consent to the first modification of the Porte,
have more than once had occasion to allude. It because with that modification the note will not
had been known for some days that this document imply that the Emperor has a right to interfere
discussed, point by point, the Turkish modifications between the Sultan and his subjects of the Greek
of the Vienna Note, and repudiated ihem as im- rite. Count Nesselrode does not deny that the
plying concessions which the Emperor would hold modified terms of the note ensure to the Ports's
it dishonourable to yield. The moment the Euro- subjects of the Greek rite every immunity theyenjoy
pawn public was aware that the objections of the or are entitled to. Count Nesselrode, therefore,
Czar were to the substance, and not to the form of by standing out for the something more which he
the emendations, it was fully understood that the says was implied in the original draft of the Vienna
Eastern question had entered on a now and criti- note, frankly confesses that regard for the immu-
cal stage ; but, the leading fact having been once nities of Christians of the Greek rite in Turkey was
established, it was not supposed that the text of only a secondar'y consideration of the Czar ; that
the Russian dispatch would afford ground for fresh what the Czar really sought was an admission
uneasiness. The document proves, however, to be by the Sultan of his right to ;nterfere in the
one of the most important papers which have ap- internal politics of the Ottoman Empire. Again
peared in the course of the negotiations. The Court Count Nesselrode declares that his master can-
of St. Petersburg has not, since the first communi- not consent to the •second modification proposed
cations of Prince Menschikoff, sent out anything so by the Porte, because if it is made the Vienna note
likely to render a pacific adjustment impracticable. will no longer assert that the right claimed by the
It is not their argument, but their language—not Czar of interfering in the internal politics of the
their logic, but their tone—which force 'one to the Ottoman Empire is conferred upon him by the
conclusion that M. de Nesselrode and his Imperial Treaty of Kainardji. The treaty confers no such
master are endeavouring, either to push matters at right upon the Czar ; but if the Sultan had
once to extremities, or, for some ulterior object, to signed the Vienna note as it originally stood,
adjourn indefinitely the settlement for which they he would have acknowledged that the groundless
have pretended to be solicitous. We consider it claim of the Czar was well founded. Yet again
perfectly unnecessary to illustrate by detailed ciT Count Nesselrode declares that his master
tations the spirit of this dispatch. From its com- cannot accept the note as modified by the Porte,
mencement to its close, it never interrupts a series because it does not, like the original draft, promise
of direct insults to Turkey or her supporters, ex- to concede to the Christians of the Greek rite sub-
cept to display that more refined insolence which ject to the Sultan any immunities not enjoyed by
affects to assume that the opponents of the Czar other Christian subjects of the Porte. The Czar
have
all
heaccomplices in the designs insists that he has a right to claim for Ottoman
which
deeply must it envenom subjects of the Greek rite, all or any priviliges that
along
avows.
the dispute, that it will need all the self-command the Porte may have been induced, by political or
of the Christian allies of the Sultan to enable them other considerations, to grant to any foreign Chris-
to, continue negotiations with the appearance of tians while residing in its dominions. Had the
courtesy. With respect, however, to the Porte Czar demanded that his own subjects of the Greek
itself, it is impossible to measure by anticipation rite while residing in Turkey should enjoy any im-
the effect of such phraseology on men's minds in munities enjoyed by French Catholics or English
Constantinople. The danger is plain—so plain Protestants while residing there, his demand would
SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNAL . that we are forced to suppose the Czar has made have been reasonable, and no more than his sub-
up his mind to face the responsibility of evoking it. jects are entitled to expect him to advance on their
(From the Times.) T.here may be some attempt to evade this respon- behalf. But when he demands that the Sultan
b•l*4- 'll the
and
given to M. de Meyen- shall take from Russia the law as to how he is to deal
ins
lrhli g
tiMinmai
comprised in two unwelcome though no
these
dorff to regara the note as intended for his indi- with his own subjects, and also that he shall tell
The latest intelligence from Eastern Europetun
petted pieces of information. The first of
t be perfectly well aware that stabs like these the concessions he may make to them, the Czar
of the mus
is, that the combined fleets in Beiska Bay have vidual guidance ; but the Court of St. Petersburg these subjects they are indebted to Russia alone for
_ are felt all the more acutely for the difficulty of re- demands what he cannot have a shadow of a right
been compelled, on the representations .
exis- si ii.y i
to ask.
noble for the protection of the French and English three are It is
Divan, to despatch two ships each to Constanti
Of Redschid Pacha's five modifications curious to note how inconsistently, within
a sa n
uotfh e
rli little
slea l
lmoi
signified en icis .
t. 'ed The first is treated of in language in- the brief limits of this not ver 1 •
eniously contrived to give the maximum of offence , Russian Chancellor at one time holds out the im-
foirn i
mt the
immunities
so of
granted
let
eCdz Czar—at
the
tel
y ong dispatch, the
r trigesi d, eans tws
e in
announced
ucnacpeidt a 1
on. Thes
Thursday,econd is,ha s that Au s -
rnoemdalieltnwtit.h him. When it is Count
between France gto everybody concerned in the matter. The Turk- I munities of Christians of the Greek rite in Turkey
senting them formally.
Nesselrode's cue to speak of the e Sultan's refusal to
heran d Englandr tial dissent s
of
ef ntthe from
point
itnhte
still viewsin takendispu
dispute
Russia and the Porte. •mat
pee,
teirtvol
eir
se .statement
solicitudetßemu sesni
at
fho ofar
dt thehat 1
For the former of these occurrences the readers
of this journal must have been well prepared, but a
maintenance of the immunities and privileges of give Russia
the importance of the tidings can hardly be over-
Or thodox Greek Church in the Ottoman Porte, of its ow f
rated. It is plain from this simple fact that the thelne
siNg Minister, demurring
,h
o thatvrn tthheeiEr
" had deemed it safer to recognise the Lupe- Greek rite, the Count
ree accord, to Christians of the
Government of the Sultan retains no effective au-
P•irle' olicitude on behalf of " the worship of the —it is not a ount pooh-pooh these concessions
thcnity over the troops or population of the capital,
ria
hs dox Greek Church ;" and he proposed, in 1 is that the elf. arantee for them tha redo wanted the
and that the spirit, moreover, of this population
Oil
o words immediately following, to attribute to : honour and enjoyment of them shall und to
is so warlike and fanatical as to impel them head- the
s
Sultans a policy of constant tenderness for the ; Nesselrode coglory of the Czar. But when Count
long, not only against their enemies, but against the
u and privileges of their Greek sub- 'of the variousowes o. speak of the conflicting claims
those whom they consider indifferent friends. The immunities
proposition, so far as regards Sepulchre, he
last Christian communions . t the H 1 aHoly
sentiments of these veritable Ottomans far outstrip jects.
This ' h has elapsed since theof rite affects a zeal for those of the Greek
period which
the views of their European advocates. They have the . •al • ortance iswith substantial j us-
into historic impb ny , tice, but must secure f
no idea of being "protected." They spurn the Russiaor them every merely flatter-
1. ttle supported by facts as mighty
be I ino- c '
consideration and favour of Christian Powers. means so i ~ , _that
1 s, oncession has been made to other sects.
They are anticipating a holy and victorious war in inferred
.Christians of the Greek rite must see the
which we constantly hear
• but, 1
defence of the Crescent against the Cross, and they and Islamismsource of this glaring inconsistency : the Czar is
hold themselves competent to repel, not only even if it were utin
from the superficial abuse of Turkey . Even the
Russian Ministery
won
ldwb lc I inking not of them ,but of his own self-glorifica-
true, the discourtesy •th' li. la
armed invaders, but troublesome auxiliaries. It it is denied by se _ ~ .. e in- (ti on. As individuals he would have no objection
is no longer a question of European Turks, molli- excusable. _ _ em rampled upon ; but as representatives
fled by civilization and discipline, but deprived by Nesselrode, t
As for the admission, writes NI. de ito see th t
hat the Emperors of Russia haveat lof
themselves solicitou for the
this very process of national strength ; the Turks all times shownk wor- head, he will insist upon precedence for them, in
CI urch it is perfectlyseverthat; immaterial , worldly dignity, over all other Christians. The
the subjects of Mahomet 11. They have swarmed I ybody is
a"t
th t t s, on the other i vanity of the Czar is too much for his policy : even
up from Asiatic solitudes, where no elements of , hand, with respect o es a ement that the Sul- I while tryin t h k th ll ' ce of the Sultan's
g os a e ea- eglan
h d over the privileges of , ,
reform have ever been at work to subdue the I tans have watc e
vigour of barbarism, and the metamorphosis of the I Christians, " the facts, he asserts, " are d
lame- , champion, he cannot conceal from them what utter
a is
contrary to what here affiirmed"—wit- nothings they are in his eyes.
population is as strange as if the. Spanish garrisons I trically
the concessions made t M de •
° • ' SS,IWe dwell upon these self-betrayals of their real
of St. Sebastian and Pamplona were suddenly as-1 ness, in particular,ff
i of the H 1 Pla I
similated to the redoubtable battalions of Gonsalvo Lavalette in the aa r. 03' ces. . The objects by the Emperor of Russia and his Ministers
d bl
reader who marks this ou e-barrelled insult to not as throwing any new light on these objects
the Great. 1
With regard to the objections now advanced by . Turkey and France, will have little interest to we recapitulate them merely for the sake of refresh-
of the
Austria to the views of France and, Englarld, I spare for the soundnessit argument by which ing the memories of our readers before adverting
though it is unquestionably matter of regret that it is supported. Yet is. worthlf while to observe to a more important revelation contained in the
any such discordance of opinion should have. re- how completely Russia isise -refuted. If it he Nesselrode dispatch. The note, in its original form,
ceived overt expression, there can be nothing sur- true that the Sultans have habitually proved them- it is admitted in that dispatch, was too explicit,
prising in the fact that the four mediating Powers selves the tyrants and lie of the Greek not only for the Ottoman Government but for the
should look with some difference of sentiment upon , Communion, and if, as contended lower down, Governments of England and France. "The read-
the question at issue and the parties concerned. ; the Czars have always enjoyed the right of protect- ing first adopted at Vienna was afterwards subjected
All are alike interested in the one paramount oh- ! ing their co-religionists against Ottoman cruelty, at London and Paris to a modification ; and if at
ject of preserving the general peace, and of pre- I why has the interposition of Russia been reserved that time we did not raise any objection, as we had
venting the dangerous aggrandizement of Russia, for the year 1853—why has she ever recognised the right to do, it was not that we made any illu-
but all are not impressed with ' the same political Turkey as her alley—why has she joined in resort_ sion in the sense of the change." The note, as
views, or placed in the same political relations, ing her from dismemberment—why has she so long originally drafted by the Austrian Ministers, ad-
It never could have been reasonably anticipated ' kept up the ineffable hypocrisy of never ceasing witted too apparently of the interpretation now
that the Court of Vienna would be disposed to use protestations of amity, respect, and good-will ? attempted to be put upon it by the Czar. France
so much freedom of remonstrance with the Em- The second head of Count Nesselrode's criticism and England saw through the trap, and endea-
peror Nicholas as the Governments of France and has reference to circumstances attending the pre- voured so to modify the terms that it might no
England, but it is nevertheless incontesta; ly cer- I paration of the Vienna Note which have as yet but longer admit of this interpretation. The Czar
taro that no power is so deeply concerned as Aus- imperfectly transpired. It is notorious, however, perused the alterations ; saw that they were
tria in securing those main results in aid of which that, by a construction worthy of a Houndsditch at- insufficient to defeat this purpose (4c the distinc-
the Vienna Conference assembled. War, which , torney's office, the Court of St. Petersburg had tion was indicated in a manner so delicate that,
would be disaster to all, would be absolute destruc- affected to read, in the treaty of Kainardji, an anti- in the spirit of conciliation," &c.) ; and ac-
tion to her, and the establishment of Russia on cipatory sanction of the Protectorate which it quiesced. in it. But the Turkish modifica-
the Lower Danube, while it would only indirectly claimed. The first draft of the Note, appearing to time were effective, and must, therefore, be re-