New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-05-14
THE THIRD POINT AT VIENNA.

History can hardly afford more crooked aud
complex quarrel than that which now agitates
aud ensanguines Europe. With each step for
ward the knot of difficulties becomes harder,
and journalists and diplomatists engaged on it
shew different phases almost hourly as the tele-
graph clicks. The revolutionary or Napoleonc
period afforded no such ENHANCEMENT as this
Turkish question. The reasons for this involve
ment may lie deeper than they seem 10 the view
of diplomacy, for the Vienna Conference, which
was 10 perform so much, has done nothing. The
Third Point was easily concOcted and written
out, but 70 transform il into historical aud
international fact was quite another matter.
1t is very natural for English and French Jour
nalists 10 call the famous Third Point, or that
protesting 10 limit the power OF Russia in the
Black Sea, harmless, just and equitable, but
logic and common sense say otherwise. Justice
has two scales, and Russia puts into one of them
her position and interests against those OF her
antagonists; and the American press, being dis
interested, can hold the balance between the
contending parties.
How far il is necessary fer the safety of Europe
and freedom TO reduce or MAIN Russia OF to extend
facilities to Turkey in favor of British Free trade,
is an open question. The Allies as they are or
with enlarged forces may do il; but it was not to
be expected that the Gar should agree to national
reductions, in the shape Of diminished feet or
the Black Sea changed into a mercantile lake.
We invoke the time when all the big waters may
clasp only the kesls of bounty-laden peaceful
craft; but in the present epoch OF stupidity,
immortality, violence, and syarice, the realization
OF such prsyer is impossible. What State
would now surrender its defensive fleets and
srsenalsl To Russia the Black Sea is what
canals and the Southern waters are 70 England.
The Euxine is the chief outlet of Russian ac-
tvty. There Is Odessa, one of the commercial
celebrities OF Europe and into the Black Sea
empty the principal Russian rivers, the Dneister,
the Dneipcr and the Don. On the Eu1ine de-
pend the harbors Of the Sea Of Azof and the
secSity of the Russian possessions beyond the
Caucasus. Why not, then, exclude from the
Mediterranean the men-of-wsr of all nations
Perhaps Italy and Spain would agree 10 it; but
would France surrender Tulon, and England
Gibraltar, Malta and Corfu, which, after all. do
not defend the mother-cOuntry but are distant
military stations Would England finally con-
sent to reduce the military strength of Bermuda
and her other possessions in the West Indies or
keep there only limited number of vessels
All OF these points are of far less real import
ance 70 England than are the shores OF the
Black Sea to the security and life of Russia.
Il seems that on a sober second thought the
other European powers are not so eager to lose
in Russia q counterpoise to the Napoleonie snd
Palmerstonian preponderance. 1t is true that
Russia has interfered with the policy of several
States unnecessarily, unfairly and often injuri-
ously for her own real interests. True, her
weight was felt in some Cabinets, and often her
behavior was arrogant. Bat not less meddling