The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-03-24
TURKEY-THE DIFFICULTY WITH AUSTRIA.
Correspondence Of the London Times
CoNsTANrINobLE Feb. 6 1859

Correspondence of the London Times
CoNsTANTINobLE, FEB. 6, 1853
The several grievances between Austria and
Turkey have been at length summed up and
presented to the Porte, in a manner calculated
to command her attention. Gen. Leiningen
Westerburg, a Lieutenant Field Marshal, ar
rived the other day from Trieste in a special
steamer, and at once demanded an audience
with the Sultan. He then presented note
from the Emperor of Austria, the contents of
which are to the following effect:
al. The Emperor complains that large ar
maments have been assembled near the Aus
trian frontier without due notice having been
given to that Government; also, that the expe-
dlton against Montenegro has assumed the
character of religious war. He demands
categorical explanation of the object and ex
tent of these ornaments
SO. Since it is known that many Hungarian
refugees are employed In this army, some of
whom enjoy high rank, he demands that these
dangerous characters be at once removed and
put under surveillance
50. That his demands concerning Kleck and
SutOrina should be at once conceded
"a That the numerous complaints and de-
mands of Austrian subjects should be taken
into consideration without delay, with a view
to speedy adjustment of their claims
To this note is added list of the several
claims of Austrian subjects against the Porte
1t may be added, that the tone of this note
is more than stern-it is nsolent and we are
given to understand that the General is in
structed to wait eight days for an answer to
this u!timatum. The most important part Of
the note is that referring to the territories of
Kleck and Sutorna. These arc the only points
of land where the Turkish territory of Herze-
gowina touches the Adratic. The Republic
of Ragusa ceded these two places 10 the Turks,
in order to be protected to the north and south
of their frontiers from their ncighbors the Ve-
netians. Since that time, the Turks have never
attempted to profit by this cession of territory,
but have suffered all the exports and imports
Of Herzegovina, Bosnia, and part of Servia, to
pass through Austrian ports, paying of course,
the customs duties. The Turks now propose
to open ports at these places, which plan would
infiict heavy blow on Dalmatia. From her
seaports Austria draws all her supplies for the
imperial and commercial navy, and the sailors
from that coast man all her ships
If Turkey establishes seaports on the above
named territories, the whole of the commerce
Of this part of Turkey, which now pays toll
enriching Austrian cities, would be diverted to
tnOse Iurklsn pOrts Wnere Tree trade Will have
the ascendency. British commerce also will
pour by this route into the large and flourish
ing provinces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and
be struggled over the Austrian frontier. Aus
tria makes decided stand against any foreign
or Turkish vessels approaching these terrific.
ries, and no vessel can 80 approach without
sailing through Austrian waters and under her
cannon Austria admits, we believe, all Euro
pean nations to navigate her waters; moreover,
Austrian vessels navigate the waters of the o.
toman Empire; but here an exception is made,
to the disadvantage Of Turkey.
At the present moment we believe nothing
more is known concerning the question, nor
have the other Powers declared themselves on
either side. The Russians however, make no
secret of the intention Of the Car to back Aus
tria in her claims; nor would it be easy to
suppose that the latter would have adopted 80
menacing and audacious tone without pre-.
vious assurance Of support from her despotic
and encroacbing neghbor. The question, at
all events, is of the gravest nature