Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1854-05-09
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TILL, EA1E nE TIfRk kN-

The most interesting feature in the Intelligence
from Europe, OF which copious details are given III
the Enquirer of yesterday, is the reply OF the Cur to
the declaration Of war By France and England
The diplomatic papers of the Russian Chancellor are
never wanting in ability, but this last manifesto IL
drawn I'D with extraordinary skill and power. To
the impartial mind, it presents a conclusive case
against the Allies, audi will doubtless exert considera-
BILE influence on the public sentiment of Europe. In
deed. the farther we explore the origin OF the Eastern
war, and the more we scrutinizc the motives of the ca
binets. the stronger grows the conviction that person.
al pioue aud political jealousy provoked the Western
row ers 10 n rupture With p"""i". Tie ">t'nsib'e 'i"-
five for the interference of France and England III
the Russo Turkish dispute, was an alleged anxiety to
protect the independence and integrity of the Otto
man Empire against the violence Of Muscovitc ambi-
ton. The hypocrisy of this prctencc has been con-
clusively demonstrated by the subsequent conduct of
the Allies. They have not only suffered the Rus
elan fleets and soldiers to cut up the navy mud army
of the Porte, but they have themselves inflicted u
crushing blow on the authority Of the Government
which they pretend to protect. The capture of Con-
stantinople by Paskievitch, would be Il less evil
to the Ottoman Empire than the treaty which
France and England have compelled the Sultan to
accept. The one disaster would be partial in its eli
feet, and perhaps of temporary duration, but the
other is all-pervading and irrctrierable. The treaty
Of Constantinoplc subverts the Ottoman Do
minion in Europe by n stroke of the pen. 1t Is ini-
possible that four millions Of Mussulmaiis can MAIN
tain their asccndancy over the ten millions of Chris
tiens, whom this treaty cmancipntes and clcvatcs
to an equality with their oppressors. The doml-
nant race in Turkey saw the danger OF their
position, and protested with the utmost energy
against the concessions to the Christians. The
Sheik-elislam, who il Il more faithful repre-
sentative of the race and religion Of the Turks than
the Sultan, abdicated the primacy rather than assent
to the destruction of the Mosie,n power. This event
kindled the fanaticism of the Mussulmnn population
TO a pitch of frenzy, and the assassination OF the Sui
tan would have been the result, but for the presence
of the allied fleet. 1t is impossible to get Il correct re-
presentation Of the condition Of things III Turkey, but
enough transpircs, despite the rigid censorship OF the
French and British press, to show that the friendly MS
sistance OF the allies is even more obnoxious to tho
Turks than the hostility OF Russia. Strange us the re-
~rolution might seem, it is not improbable that before
the conclusion of the war, Turkey may he found
lighting in alliance with her enemy, against her gene,
rous protectors. An intelligent correspondent from
London writes
Lord Redclifie's diplomacy at Constantinople he.
gins to bring forth its necessary results. Discomfort
Is growing among the Turks, seeing the delays
in tho arrival OF the auxiliary army. und the pre-
partitions at Gallipoli and Constantinople, which seem
TO indicate that the Anglo-Frcl,cl troops are to garri-
BON tho capital and the DardaDcllcs and not 10 fight
the Russians on the Danube, while Omcr Pasla is not
permitted to meet the progress OF the enemy by M ut
tack upon Moldo-W ullacllia. Tie Turks say: Prince
Menschikufi came, looked into the Koran and claimed
that u portion should be erased; we declared wut
rather than submit. But 10. Lord Radcliffe arrived
and looked likewise int" the Koran, and now insists
upon the whole book being thrown into the Bospllo,
rus; he claims it under the plea of friendship und
protection, but the friendship il trcaclcrous, and tht
protection n sllum.''
Another correspondent says:
"a feeling Of doubt, mistrust and hostility agains
their western allies is gaining possession of the Turks
They begin to look on France and England rs more
dangerous enemies tlnn the Car himself, and thu
general CRY is they are going to detlTone the Sui
tan, and divide the land-thcy are going to make III
slaves to the Christian population Landing soutl
of Constantinople instead of north of Enrnn, the al
lies are ~fortifying Gnllipoli against the Turks them
selves. The tract of land on which tho village il sit
usted is q long peninsula Joined 10y a narrow lsthmu.
to the continent, and admirably adapted Tor Il strong
hold for invaders. 1t was there the Gcuoosc of ole
deded the Greek Empcrors of Cons:antiuoplc. BE
sides, the appointment of the new Shcik- Islam, fl
the orthodox Moslems with Indignation, since they re
gard him as little better than n tool of tho Grcel
priesthood, and n strong feeling begins to pcrrnd'
the Turks that it was better to yield the one rtemant
Of Nicholas than be made the playthinS of Il knot o
greedy powers
duced to the true issue, and everybody understand
that 1t is but q contest for political supremacy between
rival Powers.