The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-04-03


relative to murders, suicides, accidents, &c.
European Intrigues and squabbles.
The negotiations brought to light by the
Journal de 81. Petersburg and the debate in
the House Of Lords which we published yester-
day, show that the policy, which Alexander
proclaimed at Tilsit nearly fifty years ago, has
been faithfully preserved by Russia ever since.
1t would have been a matter of the greatest
ease for Alexander and Napoleon to have de-
stroyed the Turkish Empire in 1907, and we
know that its partition was at least suggested
by the former. But Napoleon knew too well
the value of Constantinople to allow it to pass
into the hands Of his powerful rival The Gear
was obliged to content himself with occupying
the Principalities as he now does; and at that
time both England and France were too much
engrossed with their mutual rivalres to offer
any vigorous assistance to the Turks. Nor did
the subsequent war between Russia and Turkey
produce any material change in their relative
position. In the words of Alexander, Russia
seems always to have been afraid of precipitat-
ing Turkeys fall, lest England should contrive
to seize Constantinople. A few years after
wards Russia sent Capo d'Istries to Greece, and
induced that State to throw off the Turkish
yoke. England and France were persuaded to
join Russia in asserting the independence of
Greece; and in 1927, Grecian freedom was es-
tablished and the Turkish navy, which had
ruled the Levant for centuries destroyed at the
sent Nicholas has pursued cautious policy.
When Egypt assailed Turkey, the Gar saw
that England was in the background and
would be the ultimate gamer by the
success of the Egyptian invasion; and
accordingly sent troops to Constantinople to
defend the Sultan. For the time he was sue
cessful, and some ten or twelve years more
elapsed without change in the position of Tur-
key. Then Nicholas began to inquire whether
his object could not be gained peaceably. He
travelled over the Continent in person. and visit
ed England with view to ascertain the senti-
ments of the British ministry. From the Duke
Of Wellington it,does not appear that he deriv-
ed any consolation; in fact, it was we'll known
that the Duke considered the destruction of the
Turkish feet at Navarno as most unfortunate
occurrence. 1t would appear that Sir Robert
Peel was more favorable to the views of the
Emperor; as much may at least be inferred
from the language used in the House by Lord
Derby who is likely to be well informed on the
subject of Sir Roberts opinions. No under
standing could be concluded, however, in con-
sequence of want Of concert of action with
France. AT that time, the French ministry oc-
cupied a position of antagonism to that of Eng
land. The cry of entente cordiale under which
M. Guizot took office, and promised less anti
British policy than that of his predecessor NJ
Theirs, had ceased to delude any one after the
Spanish marriage was brought on the tapis.
The government of Louis Philippe knew from
that day that it could count upon no assistance
from England; and Sir Robert Peel, as well as
the free trade leaders, felt like distrust of the
French politicians. Many will recollect how
about the time to which we allude, dileftanti
politicians like NJ. de Lamartine used to
entertain the French House with poetic
speeches on the Eastern question; and how the
ministers of the day, docfrindires as well as
Theirs men, invariably met the interpretations
of the orators with discreet silence In point
of fact there can be no reasonable ground for
doubling that, as Lord John Russell says,
Russia had made the same propositions to
France and England: but neither government,
feeling confidence in the neutrality of its
neighbor, dared take advantage of them. How
seriously they were entertained by one of the
two at least, may be inferred from the fact that
Count Nesselrode was invited by q member of
the British Cabinet, year or two afterwards,
to put them in writing in the shape of memo
randum.
While matters were in this state, Russia still
endeavoring to negotiate, France and England
watching each other, and Turkey sinking help
lessly under attempts to engraft upon her rotten
social system the elements of new civiliza-
ton, premonitory symptoms of the CONFUSION
Of 1s4S made their appearance in the horizon.
They were soon followed by actual outbreaks.
and four years elapsed before quiet was re-
stored in Europe Then, as Lord John Russell
tells us, Russia again renewed her proposal to
Great Britain to join in dividing Turkey His
lordship tells us they were Indignantly re-
iected.r Possibly; but what share the uncer-
tainty which then overhung the policy of the
new French Emperor may have had in determin-
ing this indignant rejection" we are left
to conjecture. It is quite certain that until
Louis Napoleons mind was known, it would
have been very unsafe for Great Britain
to afford him pretext for declaring
war against the despoilers of Turkey. II so
happened however, that very short while after
this indignant rejection, an accident revealed
what the French Emperors Eastern policy
wonld be. IL dc Lavalctte demanded of the
Sultan further tights for the Romish church in
the Turkish domirions; and as the concession
Of these claims would actually have constituted