Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1853-07-14
The Eastern QaestIoa-Desxss and Probable Movements
Of Russia, Turkey and Greece.

Of Russia, Turkey and Greece.
From the Lendoa Times. June 81. t
The Turkish Government announced the 18th of June
determination TO reject the last proposal OF
Russia and although this refusal made In pacific and
concilatory erms brings to point 10 tho
critical point The messenger charged with this commits
sion by this time have returned to ST. Petersburg for
seems that he wss to take back his to the Em
peror In person. Tho time give decisive orders has
er the operations said to be contemplated by the Russian
armies will take place rapidly OF more
eager contemporaries anticipate AT all tmes aud under
almost all few remarkable
where great military genius has been united to absolute
power-he opening Of campaign and the advance OF
army beyond s own frontiers aud environments Is much
il was three months beor the Russians prepared
enter Hungary ahosgh mey had then every motive for
celebrity the present occasion there still be
political motive In delay. The Emperor Nicholas is
not eminent general, and, indeed, he has ap.
pesred With his troops in the field since he present
at the operations against varna in 1898; but during his
reign the Russian army has gained prodgously in what
most waned-equpment and military stores every kind
highly probable that f the Emperor seriously conc
plates the possibility Of campaign in Turkey he will not
run any risk until the whole army is assembled and
ready for the field The Wild nature Of the country
which would become the theatre of war; without
towns or roads the Of civilization support
war; lenders these preparations Indispensable At
present there Is doubt in spite Of all that has
been said Of the Russian armies, whether they In
condition to engage in immediate hositics. The 9th
corps ddraee Is that which Is already quartered in the
closest proximity the Turkish fronerse 18th dvis-
ion being at Sebasropol where might be intended TO
embark for exhibition the coast, the l4th division
cncamped Odessa and the 18th the frontiers Of
Bessarabia These divisions consist Of their full compile.
ment Of IL 900 each besides brigade Of light cav
airy and suitable park of artillery The light irregular
(Cossack cavalry had not reached Odessa the 9th of
June though said to be the road The 9th corps
ddrnoe is to the north Of Moldsvs and the 9Th has not
yet altogether Withdrawn from Poland according our
last in nation; certainly the of the Conncn
tai journals that the 4th corps ready to cross the
Pruth must be mistake, for it does march in the van
OF the army But in fact the concentration which would
precede the opening ola campaign has been compile
ted At same time, the greatest activity is displayed
by Prince Menschikof and Prince Gortchakon the Rus.
sian commanders the spot and day brings them
to the moment (which they The repeated
delays with which the Russian Government has chosen TO
indulge its antagonist therefore liable to be in
two opposite This apparent hesitation proceed
from reluctance 10 drive matters exremes and from
conviction that without cause against feeble
power an outrage to Europe or that diplomacy still
OBJ than intimidation But another interprea.
tion be put upon this Of proceeding and as
preparations for going all the time Il is no, i'm.
possible that these intervals may be calculated to gain
time for the necessary movements Of the armies At any
rate distinctly favorable inference can DO drawn from
the fact of delay, because unless the military prepa
rations suspended Russia will be formidable az
the end of another month than she Is now unless she wait
until the season is too far advanced FOR her act ut all
Moreover toe Of Turkey will be more and more
exhausted by the sheis compelled to make
and the chances o agitation favorable 10 designs of
Russia among the Christian populaonare of aug
mented. In fact the indefinite proongation of the pre-
sent state of suspense prove less injurious TO
the Porte than ITSELF and with the strongest desire TO
avoid every act which may serve as pretext fo rup-
ture we have right TO expect that state things which
is injurious the political security aud
of the world shall be terminated with the less, possible
delay, since it has many OF the evils OF hosties
Whatever, indeed, may be the termination of this di-
ploIiac contest or OF this impending conflict these de-
mands Of Russia and these preparations OF Turkey have
given shock to the Ottoman Empire which It will long
feel IT, indeed il from the effects of them
The hopes and ambition Of the Christians the reSodnys
and the nIticism OF the Mahomedau are alike reused:
and, even the Cabinets of Europe satisfied to-mor
row by the adoption Of some of compromise the
East would remain in state of great dsquietude and
danger because each respective party thinks ,sefa bat
within the reach OF solution for its advantage. No
doubt be entertained in the present emergency that
it is polite, as we'll just, in the Sultan to confirm the
privileges OF his Christian subjects; but no concessions
will stop the march of events prevent the Christian
race In Turkey in Europe superior il is 10 numbers in
intelligence, and in Industry from exchanging the cond
ton of subject and disfanchsed people for that of an
equal and day sovereign The anxiety we feel
this question is that these countries should be for
ever Turkish but that they should be Russian; aud
10 those who look forward the time when further chan
ges may restore this portion of Europe 10 Christianity
and civilization, nothing is remarkable than the
manner In which the Turks themselves under the Impulse
of invincibe necessity, calling into existence and
independence race OF men whose ambition il will day
become to reconsute the Empire othe East In adverng
TO the possibility OF such event. and to the existence
such hopes do not refer that portion of the Greek ma
ton which has already recovered its independence and
has made, u must be confessed but Indifferent
it. The condition Of the kingdom Of Greece il not thai
which may serve 4 model for the future regeneration
OF the Easti and learn with great regret that the
Court OF Athens has manifested desire to employ the
present crisis for purposes Of its own which var
ance with the views of the protecting Powers and with
the principles of its constitution. The Greek popu.
laton OF Turkey, by which only the Greeks
by race but the far numerous body OF members
the Greek or Eastern Church. look with especial en-
Wy respect the domnions of King Ohio and If ever
the change occurs which some Athenian politicians
appear TO contemplate, they RELY upon it that their
country will not hold the reins Of empire even retain
the privileges of independence and that Greece Proper
will sink long into province of larger State Such
the questions, with many Of equal perplexty
which Ru ssa has called up by her i'll judged mission
and though they be discussed here with the
cooness, they kndle ia the hafcvilzed nations OF the
East in close proximity their immediate and
their secular enemies all the passions of religion and OF
race. Settle this present spute you will there lies
that beyond II which time alone will unraye which time
alone will restore and, while attention attention is
directed to the negotiations Of the day. it be
forgotten that there is at the bottom OF these discussions
the greatest question which the statesmen Of this age
have yet 10 solve.