The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-03-09
fes unon.
An American View Of the Eastern Question
a


The Immediate. or at least oslensble cause Of the
Rupture between the Russian and Ottoman empes Is The
military occupation by the former OF the Danuban pn-
cipaliue Of Wsllaehis and Modavs whose inhabitants
are. for The most part. Christians OF The Greek church
which differs little from the Roman Catholic, except
in rejecting The supremacy Of the Pope But The grounds
OF The quarrel take deeper root than this and there are
interests Involved in il OF far wegher consequences, mol
only 10 the Ottoman empire. but the great powers OF
western Eurose, especially Great BriaiE, which for
ages pas, has been prosecuting system Of policy in ibe
East whose great object monopoly, OF al least The
hons SHARE OF the commerce and empire OF ASA The
steady and rapid progress OF Russia in The East is The
great obstacle 10 that stuendors system of conquest and
usuraiion through which Great Britain has laid large
portion Of Asia al her feet and which unquesonabiy
eonemplaies acquisitions Great Britain is in fact
the principal ia this quarrel which threatens 10 convulse
The world and is attempting 10 inerpose Turkey as a
shield between herself and her great rsa in the East
Her policy iDihsi quarter, well in the New World,
is protection !" and the Sultan OF Turkey occupies
pre much the position in the East that The re-
douoable King Of the Mosquitoes does in Central Amer
They both ualy under the protection OF her
Britannia Majesty, and both answer similar purpose
that OF afoding peiex Tor interfering with The proper
concerns OF other nations.
In all the British views OF the grounds of this contest,
from which of the United States derive impress
siors, very material fact which the whole gues-
ioa turns, siudiousy kept out OF sight, attended TO
vaguely TO escape observation refer TO the night
to joint occupation Of the Dannbian principaIies con-
ceded TO Russia BY the treaty OF Adrianope, well by
several succeeding conventions between the two empires
The avowed object OF all these the protection OF the
Greek Christians, constituting the grea, bulk oil the in
habiants OF these princpaes, from the insults and
RACES OF Massulman bigory and intolerance. | do not
voucb that hs was the sole object OF the Gar but.
whatever may have been his motives, should presume
the act would receive the appreciation OF all sincere Chris
tlans oievery denomination.
AT the period in which this right of occupation was
conceded 10 Russia, these two prncpalies were in
state OF instruction, partly in consequence OF long
continued series OF religious OPPRESSION partly on
count OF The heavy imposed by the Porte, which
was then too weak 10 que these disturbances The
joint occupation oil the Russian armies not original
ly demanded BY the Gar but assumed at the reques,
OF The Sultan himself who at that time was not in con-
dhon 10 maintain his authority in tina, quarter II had
therefore, two objects in view-sne, the protection OF the
Greek church; the other, 10 aid the Sultan in restoring
his authority disadecied people The latter was
accomplished They consented 10 pay tribute under the
express implied condition OF the recognition OF their
civil and religious rights ALT obtained through
the Intervention OF Russia, which thus became not only
mediator, but guarantee and protector.
Accordingly, these two pyncpai,es which have never
been actually incorporated with the Ottoman empire and
have always claimed and exercised The right OF choosing
their native princes have since been recognised
a under the protection OF RUSSIA McCulloch, in his
great Geographical Dictionary, thus speaks OF them:
q Waachia and Moldsyia, (anciently Dacia Trans.
spine,) two contiguous pTiRclpalilies nomihsliy in
cnded in European Turkey, but IN reality under toe pro-
lection OF Russia"
AlcFsrane who passed several years in Turkey, aEd
twice travelled through the European and Asiac Prov
inces, thus apostrophizes the Ottoman government n his
late work, entitled " Turkey and its Destiny"
Why accelerate your ruin BY making such costly
preparations, when Russia had more idea Of taking
Consisninope than she had of invading England q Your
reiterated treaties gave The Emperor Nicholas the full
right Of marching into the protected municipalities Tar
more quickly than you could have done. he put down
lie revolutoniss and anarchists in ihese provinces
You. claimed right OF military occupation with the
Car the treaties gave you that night Nicholas offered
objection and you lad last year number Of uoaas
~ the prineipaiiles equal 10 the Russians"
Il thus appears dial Russia bad conceded gh under
various treaties, 10 joint military occupation Of The
Dsnusisn priRcipaes and this right Is recognised BY
laie Brush journal said to be he organ Of the For
elgn Ofee," in tie following sEtIscl:
Ihs Emperor OF Russia does not demand more Than
be did three months bot be will take nothing less
and BY the arrangement that has been made with Austria
all idea 81 assisting toe Turks b. sanung the treaties
with Russia u abandoned"
Ii is evident. then. from these authorities that Turke,
and RUSSIA, The sggressor IN this war; and thai be
object 10 cancel succession OF treaties connecting GER
tain rights she wishes withhold II the tight 10
break treaties conceded 70 Turkey would be estsb
iishing entirely principle Of International Law 10
deny Russia tie right Of nsy,ng on Their obssrvance
il che thinks prossr
The British elsmoIs against the Gar Ia relation 10
lie oceu alton OF these prnepaes adopted EnI fsiera
iea BY the press Of tins county, are therefore no bpts,
foanded Than those toe Esgsh serbes are perps,ua fol
mhsling against 'tbe great American yaliurr" which
j. 10 swallow Up this e0ufs continent They originate
IN The ssre Jealousy Of Russia which is :, dsrpl,
cherished towards The Uned Sziss and are always Inc
premoni,ory sYmaons Of setea design 10 rain II pos
slhle the npuaho0 81 every nauon that stands IN ,hs
way Of British policy O. Blush Interest," Tie wars
Of England are slWsys commenced Nth the zen, and
me shielding q Ink uniformly Preoedes the shedding Of
blood
have, however, 20 disposition to become the defender
o. apoogis, q The Gar lake aDy par, in ihis
contest between tie and The crescent except n 40
Tar ~ believe - results nav affect the interests OF nv
or couny. bot, alter all, bis policy even according
70 bnush constructions, i p3lhog more thsn tina
which has been common TO 81 tie race Of kings from lime
immemousl. EFegwhere they have sought 40 extend
Their doInon and their poser ID. expense az her
neighbours sad may be permilsd 10 ask shat has ,e
Gar aone q Earops and hsia that Engan3be pAi,ern
nsl'ofAss nsi ah., apd : nov doiax IN every oua.r
o. ne Elobf '-iu Hirdoaisn. Aegh anis;an, Bifmah.
bonto Chius, CsGrsrs, and Csatrsi America Tie
conductors o. he Bnfsh rsss while 20 zeaousiy oeeu
Fed "a bringing the Uned Stale. and The Gar before M,
grand tribunal Of he world Standing Al the head Of mod
ern telinquens, would sell 10 rseoee, thst II bel
hey are ont turning kag evidence against sooonpess
an onenoes 70 Which Their own coutiry sa PRINCIPAL