Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-10-22
FROM Tnr LONDON rImrs or srrrENprn so


We observe in the foreign journals natural disposition
to comment with interest the passage Of the Oar
danelles by detachments from the French and British
squadrons That this not dictated by any
change in the immediate relations of Russia with the West
Powers and that it originated in the representations
addressed their Ambassadors Consantinope by the
Turkish Government is what readers have already
learnt but is improbable that negotiations may be
quickened well facilitated by the proceeding, and
there will certainly be inclination in this country
quarrel with SO desirable result. The thus Gre
ated derives its Importance from the following ransac
tons and considerations
Ii had been a ruling maxim first Of Turkish and after
wards of European policy that the Dardaneles should
be closed TO foreign shps-owar In the first insurrcc
ton OF Mehemet Ali against his nominal Sovereign, Rus
STA had exered herself with ocousness to send succors
to the Sultan in his troubles and though much OF this
sympathy superAuous aud all of it suspected, the
Gar founded such claims upon his services that the
conclusion Of the affair special treaty negotiated
between Russia and the Porte at the dctaton Of the
former Power to be valid for eight years This was the
treaty known that Of Unkar Skeess and it provided
that consideration of past emergencies and prospec
tive need there should be defensive alliance between
the two contracting parties BY virtue Of this alliance
Russia guaranty the Porte against the dangers a
pretended from Egypt, and the Porte in return to
exempt Russia from regulations which closed the Darda
neles to all other Powers
few years afterwards Egypt was in rebellion again,
but the task Of Intervention assumed by the Euro
pean Governments in common; for time to the exclu
sion of France which thought to incline too much 10
sent and cooperation Accordingly in 1871 arrange
ments eectedfor the second time between Mehemet
Ali and his Sovereign and the position Of the Porte
wards Eaypt and toward Europe was defined anew By
treaty then concluded the privileges Of Russia dsap
pearcd and the Dardanelles again closed foreign
flags Of Of al nations alike This is the treaty Of
1884, the instrument now in force and action. Its stpu
ations provided that the Sultan should admit no foreign
ships of war into the Dardauees 50 ong as the Ottoman
Porte should be al peace
We Of course need not stop to remark that when
foreign army crossed the Turkish frontier for the ayowed
purpose of cocrcing the Turkish Government state Of
peace exchanged for state Of war aud the Sultan
became at liberty to open the Daraneles such vessels
lac thought proper oinvite Our object in recnpu
lang these transactions is to offer superHuous proof
Of sefevident conclusion but direct the readers at
tenon TO the general instruction which the whole
tive conveys Nothing could better illustrate the true
position OF the Ottoman Empire and the real motives
Of European policy On the part Of the Turks the closing
Of the Dardanees Of course rule Of common pru-
dence for here in fact lay the first Notifications Of Con-
stantnope. But on the part Of Europe, the principle
was founded on jealousy alone. Empire was in
state Of virtual dissolution and Powers disposed
permit any other Power foresta them the chances
Of scramble by establishing there any peculiar footing
influence, or prescription Look Mt the motives at work
III 1888. There could be no doubt that MEHEMET ALI
was able to eject the Ottoman dynasty and seat himself
on the Turkish throne. Russia, however, was BY no
means inclined this substitution Of vgor for deere
ptude in the palace of Constannope and she inerered
accordingly to maintain that particular Empire which
gave the snrest evidence Of decay and the best prospects
Of dissolution But the European Governments could not
endure that single Power, and that Power Russia,
should monopozc all the opportunities of such an inter-
venton, ana they claimed aud obtained therefore share
in the operation. In 1871 exactly the same scene was
repeated, and with exactly The motives at work
IL was, in fact, this policy, aud other which had
chiefly determined the liberation Of Greece AS tue
emancipation of this Ottoman province would not only
weaken the Ottoman Government but strengthen tue
Greek element in the East Russia decided on promoting
~ and the other States concurred lest she should gam
the advantage OF promoting il alone This intervention