The Sun.
London, England, 1870-11-15 00:00:00

RUSSIA AND THE TREATY OF 1856.

The Daily News, remarking on the rumoured designs of
Russia, says : That Russia should in some measure desire
the revision of the Treaty, is but the natural corollary of
recent events. There is no finality in any treaty, for as
the years go on, countries wax more strong or more weak,
and it is impossible by artificial agreement to preserve
them in one condition. A nation must from time
to time alter her boundaries, or her relations with
her neighbours, even as she alters her laws and her inter-
nal economy; and it is but natural that Russia, seeing
the great and rapid changes which have recently passed
over Europe, should think that she also should have a
share in' what is going. We have so pledged ourselves
to maintain the independence of Turkey that we can-
not, whatever may come of it, permit the abrogation
of those conditions which we considered in 1856 necessary
to that end, except in so far as modifications are possible
which shall not interfere with the primary purpose we
had then in view. If Russia proposes to rebuild Sebas-
topol, or to equip a fleet in the Black Sea, with the
definite certainty that Turkey will equip another, and
renew the old fight there, we may as well stop atithe
outset a course of action which would, if continued,
involve us hi war. Short of this, there may be certain
qualifications of that Treaty which Prince Gortschakoff
has really a right to demand. With perfect pro-
priety, and with a due regard to their own dignity,
the Powers which signed the Treaty of 1856 may con-
sent to discuss these points. Until we hear more
definitely about the designs of Russia in this present
matter, we shall refuse to believe that she contemplates a
total abolition of the 1856 Treaty—a step which would
arrest those efforts at internal development she has been
recently making with praiseworthy industry and vigour,
to plunge her again into a war from which, once more,
she may emerge with stunted finances and a crippled army.
There is no longer any reason to doubt, the Standard
observes, that the Russian Government—acting, as we
may fairly presume, in some sort of concert, open or
secret, with Prussia—has reopened that which we have
been accustomed to call the Eastern question.
The rumour of such an event has been spread
for some time, and as it was at all times
probable, we cannot have any reason to be sur-
prised at the formal announcement of the Russian
designs which has now been made to the European
Courts. The season is unquestionably most favourable
for Russia to revive her old dreams of aggression. The
prostration of France and the sudden rise of Prussia to
the foremost rank among the military Powers have
paved the way for the new Russian demands. France,
which was the leader of the Western Powers in their
crusade against Russian ambition in 1854, has
doubtless been calculated upon as no longer an
obstacle in the path of Russia. Prussia, whose neutrality
was of so decidedly benevolent a complexion towards
Russia in the Crimean war, has a deep interest, if not in
aiding her designs upon Constantinople, at least in pur-
chasing the good graces of her formidable neighbour at
any cost. Of the other parties to the Treaty of Paris
Austria has recently been subjected to the assiduous
attentions both of Count Bismarck and Prince Gortscha-
koff, and is supposed not to be able, even if she
were willing, to offer any decided resistance to the scheme
projected. There remain only Turkey and England to
support the settlement of 1856. Turkey, although stronger
now in a military sense than she was then, and provided
with a fleet equal perhaps to that of any of the
secondary Powers, cannot, of course, be expected to
stand alone against Russia. As for England, it has
doubtless formed part of the calculations of the Russian
Government that, under her present Ministry— which
includes one member who spoke of the Crimean War as a
"terrible crime," and another who fled from his post when
that war was in its most critical stage—England would
not be disposed to offer any active opposition to the pro-
posal for a revision of the Treaty of Paris.
The Manchester Courier, referring to the Eastern ques-
tion, says : Prussia will refuse to interfere with any effect,
her crippled state after the conclusion of the present war
affording ample excuse for abstensiou. The numerous
acts of friendliness towards the leaders of the German
army and the King of Prussia seem to prove, however,
that there is something more than mere good nature in
the matter, and the bonds between the two countries
are closer than has hitherto been guessed. The
question now is as to what England will do, and on this
point, with the author of the famous Edinburgh. Review
article in the highest place of Government, Mr. Bright
at the Board of Trade, and Messrs. Cardwell and
Childers at the head of military and naval affairs, it is not
easy to be sanguine. That England will submit to a
complete nullification of her work of sixteen years
ago we can hardly believe. Modifications may be ad-
mitted after negotiation, but that the main features of
the Treaty must be preserved as well for our honour as
for the safety of our ally at Constantinople, is a principle
which admits of no doubt whatever.