The daily republic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1853-1853, 1853-07-07
TIL b RE 2 u BLIC.
Turkey and Russia-The Whole Ques-
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Turkey and Russia--The Whole Ques-
ton. af 4a
Whatever may be the immediate solution OF
this question it is pregnant with matter OF great
Importance, demanding the serious attention OF
the publicist and statesman The great powers
of Europe are playing game on the political
chess board of the world, skful or even one
accidental move on which may change the ba-
lance of power or current of human events, and
determine the future destiny of the Old World.
It is a question of Europe and Asia, and not OF
America; still, as offspring of Europe, inher-
ting it's civilization, embracing within ourselves
people from so many of the old nations, and hav-
ing SO much intercourse with them, we necessarily
feel interested with all these great movements.
Look at this game. From the apparent posi-
ton which each party has taken we deter
mine or reasonably infer any thing? 1t is diff
cult, though each day gives us more light To
comprehend the object of these positions and to
make probable conjecture as to what will be
the next move, the end of the game, or the train
of circumstances to follow, we must go back to
the first move, we must trace the progress OF the
game, and we must know the skill and power OF
the players. .. ...s. Ng..a.l ..au.la
The information we receive from the London
and Paris journals, and from correspondents who
make up their articles from these, is scattered
and incomplete. True, they treat certain phases
of the question from day to day with much abili-
ty, and from the premises they lay down draw
logical deductions. But they are partial; they
do not, we think, see all the facts, nor have they
made thorough exposition of the case. We
often learn more by inference in studying the
language which these journals address to each
other. From them and from history we propose
to draw facts, and, as far possible, solve the
whole question. I'd. ..... .....,.s ......... ....
What are the facts? 1t is we'll known that
Russia and Turkey have suspended ordinary dip
.lomatic relations with each other and have as
sumed a warlike attitude, and that France and
England have espoused the cause of the latter in
an attitude of defensive hostility to the former.
Austria is neutral and has offered her mediation.
Prussia and the lesser powers of Europe are neu-
trail France and England have taken this step,
not upon the merits of the question of difference
between Russia and Turkey, but to prevent Rus
STA from acquiring dangerous influence in the
East, to check the strides of that mighty colossus
of the North, and to preserve the balance of pow
er; so that it is not now question between the
Gar and the Sultan alone. If it were, it would
soon be settled by the stronger subjugating the
weaker. 1t is question as wide as Europe and
Asia; and such would be the consequences, either
of war or of the domination of Russia in Tur-
key, that we might almost say it is worldwide.
In the first place, the Gar, as the head of the
Greek Church, and as the assumed head of all
the Christians of the East, demanded certain con-
cessions the subject of the Holy Places in Pa
estine, from the Sultan, who has dominion
that country. 1t was, in fact, the question of the
Crusaders over again, in modified form and I'M
der different circumstances-the ri hts or privi-
leges of Christians in the Holy Land-in the
Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and in other
sacred places revercd as the ground on WHICH
Christ was born, lived, and suffered, and which is
held in subsection and used for religious purposes
by nfdels-the followers of Mahomet. The Sui
tan, by necessity of his weakness, and from a
liberal disposition and policy towards his Chris
tan subjects, expressed his willingness to grant
whatever might be Just and reasonable. The
Gar the self-constituted champion of the Chris
tan world then required the Sultan to grant him
certain powers, under the form of protectorate,
over the Christians in the Ottoman empire. The
Sultan refused to grant these He maintained
that to concede these demands, by admitting the
exercise of foreign power over his own subjects,
would be to dispossess himself Of sovereignty,
and asserted again his desire to be just and liberal
to the Christians. The Emperor Nicholas finally
sent a special envoy to the Porte--Prince Mems
chikotf.-reasserting his demands, and making
them the ultimatum of friendly relations. The
Young Sultan bravely refused to comply, and
ma unanimously threw himself upon the protec-
ton of England and France. The Russian envoy
left Constantinople. Turkey prepares for war,
and the combined fleets of her powerful allies are
at the mouth of the Dardanelles.
This is the first act of the drama Now the Sc
cond begins. The autocrat moves his armies to-
wards the Lower Danube, and proclaims his in
tention to occupy the principalities of Moldavla
and Wallacha. These countries have sort of
quasi Independence, and are under the joint pro-
lection of Russia and Turkey, but arc, in fact,
and have been for some years, almost entirely I'M
der the influence and power of Russia They
separate the two empires in Europe-the Russian
bounded on the east and north by the Pruth, and
the Ottoman on the south and east by the Dan
ube. They occupy an important position, not
only to these empires, but to Austria and the
countries on the Upper Danube, for they com
mand the navigation of that great river. As a
consequence they have been always coveted by
these great neighboring powers. The people arc
the ancient Dacians, and are Christians. But
though Christians, they have preferred the rule o.
the Porte as being milder than that of Russia
Their late instruction arose 6om desire to re
lieve themselves from Russian domination; ye
the power and skill of the NFslscovte has PROVED
superior to both the wish of the people and the
might of Turkey BY wars, by mtrigues, by
bribery, by fomenting Instructions, and by tho
: assumption of the religious supremacy of thu
Gar over the Christians of the East Russia ha
advanced step by step till she has acquired su
premc control in the affairs of these rich and i'm