Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1853-07-01
From the Richmond Despatch
The Turkish Questton.

The Turkish Question.
Notwithstanding the report that the forces of Rus
STA had commenced march upon Moldavia from
Bessarabia, the nearest Russian province to the
frontier of Turkey, it seems to be doubted whether
there will be any war after all The Gar has found
beyond a doubt, that he will meet with opposition
should he attempt TO carry out his long cherished
plan of Selling Constantinople, and that bloody
which can result in nothing but his discontinue,
must inevitably ensue. That England and France
are prepared to throw themselves in the way OF the
Russian bear, there cannot be doubt. At the Ia
test advices the feet of the latter already at the
mouth Of the Dardanelles while that of the former
had left Malta, and was on its way to JOIN It. he
two have it in their power upon the first contlrma-
ton of hosties to pass the Straits enter the Black
Sea, and destroy the Russian fleet, which they would
certainly do.
In connection with the Turkish question arti-
Gle appeared in the Paris Pays of the 4th inst.'
which the correspondent of the Ii ndon Times says
to his own certain knowledge, was meant to convey
the Emperors ideas and indicate the line OF poll
cy which it was the intention of the French govern
ment to pursue We give few extracts from II
enough to convince the reader, we think, that the
Emperor of the French is not only not disposed NM
self to disturb the balance of power in Europe put
will permit no other TO do it if he can prevent lt.
After commenting with great severity upon the
conduct of M Theirs, when he was minister IN
| 1910, the Pays says:
"Our national pride is much fattered, no doubt,
at hearing it constantly said that the Medlterra-
| mean IS french lake. TIC
1915 have changed into dream that expression OF
a great man. In consequence of these treaties the
Mediterranean is not and cannot hencetorth De otn
er than an European and an international lake' ~
is to maintain for it that character that Egypt ougnt
not TO be either English or French and that Turkey
cannot be Russia Let us speak in good faith could
we permit England, for instance, to establish herself
in the Balearic Isle to intercept our route to Alge
ria which is henceforth united to France by indis-
soluble bonds! And could England suffer that ny
ShntrI fob frnr hnr 10
Bay of Suez, which is tor her the gate OF the In
dies e.
The Paws then proceeds to reprobate the rashness
with which it says NJ Theirs threw himself into the
Eastern question in 1910, completely sacrlhclng the
interests of France, by demands with which cOmpli-
ance was impossible. The independence of Greece
he saws was settled by Europe, and Europe inter-
vened to settle the interests at stake between Egypt
and Turkey. The day that the Eastern question
loses this European character Will usher IN oiooo
shed and confusion to which it will be difficult to
assign limit, or term. England, Austria and
Russia are all. it says, directly interested while
France has only the interest Of all, that's, the bal
ance of poorer ofEmrope and the freedom Of the seas
France would still remain the same though hussla
were to take Constantinople but England and Aus
tria would nfalbly lose their position of first class
powers, on the day that witnessed the objection OF
the Ottoman Empire.
We subjoin the following extract:
"The government of the Emperor Napoleon III.
has not committed the fault of that of Louis Phil
ippe 1t has not sought in the question of the East
pretext for bad and false popularity-an occasion
for the revolutionary din of propagandlSm 1t has
not isolated France from Flu ope. No 1t has
taken firm, dignfe', and calm position on the
ground of European rights. 1t is for that the gov
eminent of France negotiates-t is for that it
would fight if necessary-f it was necessary to fight
not alone, but with ALL and for all. France can
not ought not. to be alone in the question OF the
East The simple suppostion of her isolation is so
absurd that it is impossible to dwell on it for mo-
ment. France is with England-she is with Aus
tria-she is with Prussia-she will also be, we must
still hope. with Russia. There is between the five
great powers, as between her and all those of Eu
rope a common, general interest, more intimate
with some of them-more remote for us-but obl-
gatory for all. If Russia, through pride or ambi
ton, were capable of disregarding 1t, IS 1t with
France isolated. she would have to do Ought
France alone to feel for an interest European
than French Could she cover with her fine fleet,
England and AUSTRIA before these had presented
themselves on the scene of this great contest -
Would she from the extremity of the West, sepa-
rated from Russia by Germany, and from Turkey by
the Mediterranean. the Archipelago, and the OAR
daneles, have to fire the first cannon shot for a
cause which is only hers because it is that Of all
the world? Honor would not command such pre-
cipitation: policy would not counsel it. What hon
or commands and what policy counsels is precisely
what has been done by our government. At the
first signal of complications it caused the fleet to
depart. 1t has taken position near the theatre of
events. 1t has placed itself in situation to an
swer r. II exigences and to fulfil all duties. But in
unfurling flag in front of the Dardanelles,
France has shown her ri ht to all Europe and her
right is that of all-that which she could not de-
fend alone without temerity, and that which the
other governments could not abandon without weak
ness and without detection to their interest and
to their own honor. We cannot imagine finer po
sition for France. We know of none more honOra
BILE for her government, and which more remarka
bly, contradicts the mstrust with which its accession
was received"
After abiding to the invention in the affair of tht
Pope. the Pays concluel as follows
"After having had the honor to save religion with
the applause of Europe Napoleon Ill to day defends
European law. the respect of treaties, order. peace
equity. 1t is not he who is the conqueror. The ma
ton which is trembling for its tranquility is not OF
our frontier. No! He does not render any coalition
possible against France, but he renders impossible
the partition of another Poland as we'll as the con
spracy the treachery of another treaty of Pnitz
and he is ready to take his place in the great Euro
pean coalition TO the integrity of nation AM
the lnviolabity of law 10 be respected. 1t must b.
repeated; moreover that war, not probable but pos
slbe, would, in no respect resemble that which ha
been II would not be with our nationality a
stake. TIE Rhine, that natural barrier, acould no
be enaced by any enemy nd it not at door tia
the quarrel aCoud be settled. France at the utmos, wou
have only 10 appear distant theatre nor to attac
but 10 cause treaties to be respected. Such is be
armed mission She acomld Advance to her OBJ ject ,c
! out shaking the soil Of Europe under her feet. Sh
r would leave behind her flag armies and feeis which
could not fail in the of the right of all agains
r the ambition Of one alone.
Var has its conditions: arar, IF II acere possible
n 1rould doubt be misfortune; but let intereste
" p1rt'eS be treasured, could nerer be peril con