The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-03-31
Desf7ns of EuraT,ee

in the British House Of Lords, s,led a food OF
light on the secret Of the impending European
war. From the two former, ventilated as they
were by the opposition peers, we learn, for the
first time from an authentic source, thai the
protection of the Greek Christians in Turkey
and the dominion of the Holy Sepulchre, were
hardly even the pretexts, and certainly not the
causes of tie course pursued by Russia. At
most, it can only be said that M. de Lavslette's
conduct in disturbing the relative position Of
the various sects in Turkey, precipitated an
event which, ten years before, most of the Euro
pean governments had been told to expect by
the Gear himself We learn, for the first time,
by the publication of the documents to which
we refer, that as far back as 1914 Nicholas
openly proposed to Great Britain TO seize and
divide Turkey with him, as he had shared Po-
land with Austria and Prussia.
Two other statements are made in the article
in the Times and the debate in the House; if
not with as much precision as the former one,
at least with sufficient clearness to ensure
general belief in their truth. The first is to
the effect that, throughout the negotiations,
there existed general unity of thought and
harmony of opinion between the Emperor of
Russia and the British government; and that
the proposal fell to the ground simply be-
cause Sir Robert Peel and the Duke of Yelling
ton who were at that time at the head of
affairs in England could not count upon
the cooperation of France, or arrange the basis
OF partition of Turkey. The second part dis
closed is that similar proposals to those made
to Great Britain were likewise made to France
by the Gear. Of the latter we have as yet no
authentic details; we are told that the former
was first proposed in 1874 by the Car in per-
son to the Duke Of Wellington, again reiterated
in memorandum by Count Nesselrode, and
afresh urged on the consideration of the British
Cabinet about year ago.
There is here ample material for profound
reflection. The himsy pretexts Of the rights of
the Greek Christians and the possession of the
Holy Sepulchre thrown aside, the ruler of Rus
STA is revealed in his proper light, as the faith
full instrument Of what is regarded as Russian
destiny. We know now that the mission of
Prince Menschikof was never intended to be
successful, that the Cars ultimatum was never
hopedto be accepted. We see beyond all con-
troversy that, in his present attack on Turkey
Nicholas is but carrying out design that has
been nursed not only in the imperial but in the
popular mind of Russia for more than a cen
fury.
Looking therefore at the struggle without
reference to its immediate occasion, it is worth
while to examine its merits afresh. Russia
which in the early centuries of the Christian era
was the mere resting place Of few barbarous
nomad tribes, became in the fifteenth century, a
Greek empire. During the whole of the
fourteenth, the Greeks had defended their
country with desperate valor against the
invasions of the Turks. More than once
had the victories Of Bajazet and other
Moslem leaders reduced their State to the last
gasp. The crescent had passed ever their
bodies as far as Hungary: and at length, in
1853, thei, capital was taken, most Of their
young men forced into slavery and the remnant
of their broken band driven to take refuge in
the barren wilds of Russia. To Moscow and
Novogorod they bore Christianity, tie last
relics of partial civilization, and an unqe,ench-
able hatred Of the inidels who had despoled
them of their homes, and erected mosques on
the site Of their churches. Karasmin ably de-
picts the fierce yindictiveness with which Rus-
slams of every class and every age refer to that
black day in the history Of their forefathers.
Their revenge was destined TO wait long for
satisfaction. One hundred aud twenty years
ELAPSED after the fall Of Consantinople before
tho vest of Europe dared TO breathe freely, or
felt that the fate of the Greek Empire was not
to bets own. All this time the Turks grew in
power and might. Defeated at Lepanto and
baffled u their attempt to extend Mahomedanism
by the sword, they consoled themselves by in
ficting tae most barbarous tortures on all the
Christians who could be found within their do
minions Neither the sixteenth, nor the seven
tenth, nor she first half Of the eighteenth CEN
tary witnessed any sensible diminution of the
Turkish power. Russian hatred seethed help
lessly, while Bsgdad was taken by the Turks
on the east, Vienna besieged on the west,
Belgrade wrestei from Austria, and .AzoT |
severed from the Russian Empire
md annexed to Turkey. The day of retribu-
ion was however az hand. With the aid !
IF Austria--then powerful and prosperous |
Russia wage6, for the Grst time successful |
var against Turkey in tie latter half of the |
eighteenth century. The Crimea was regained |
md Russia took heart. The peace of 1888 |
could not last long. Russia was daily gaining
strength, Turkey fast waning under the
atal Influence Of Mahomedanism. War
roke out aircsh in 1906 and next year.
lie long-chcrished revenge Of the Russians
Neula have been grained and theig Of ]