The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-03-09
Turkey After the War.


When this war began, the Allies claimed the
upport of all civilization on the ground that
they were interfering to protect poor helpless
Turkey from the ravenous jaws Of the Russian
bear. They expected American sympathy,
because they had drawn the sword to shield
the weak from the stropg-to uphold the right
against the wrong That sympathy was with
held. Many causes, doubtless, co-operated to
produce this result; and among these one of
the most obvious, il not the most potent, was
the general distrust that was relt here in the
righteousness Of the Allies cause. aud the
general apprehension that, whether Turkey
were better saved OF allowed to die, the only eff
feet of successful Western Interference would
be her absorption by the maritime Powers in
stead of Russia. 1t was, we say, the almost
universal impression here that France and
England intertered, not go much to save as to
share Turkey that they drove the robber
from the dying mans bedside in order to
strangle and rob him ct their ease, and in
concert.
The time is now approaching when these
presentiments must either be fulfilled or proved
fallacious. The war, it is hoped, has decidedly
come to an end. England is recalling her
troops, and at the time these lines are being
read, it is quite likely that 8 treaty Of peace
has been signed on some terms or other. The
true position OF Turkey cannot be ascertained
until the terms OF that treaty are made pub
lie; but some general view Of the future is not
premature.
In the FIRST place, it is certain that her con-
troll, direct or indirect, of the Danubian Prin-
cipalities will be lost forever. The present in
tention of the Western Powers appears to be
TO erect these Principalities into an indepen-
dent State, freed alike from the dictation of
the Car and the protection of the Gear; nd
Russia has, apparently, BY accepting the Aus
trian propositions, signifed her willingness to
agree TO this plan. Moldavia and Walla,hia,
under On independent government, with q
splendid country, hardy population, genial
climate, and 30 admirable an outlet for their
produce as the Danube, might. in very few
years, become as great country as Hungary
used to be; and, instead OF being poor pro.
vinces of Turkey, over which the Sultan exer-
cised corrupt and oppressive authority, are
quite lkely 70 tDTeaEu NOHstdutlHOple lISeI
Here ia no particular gain.
1t has been common subject OF remark for
many years that the government Of the Porte
only existed as shuttlecock for the purpose
of affording employment to the Russian and
British battledores- This was only compare
lively true. True, the Sultan could not con-
clude foreign treaty or make any particular
disposition of his forces or contract a loan, or
ptroduce new organic Law, without the con-
sent of one of these two great Powers; but his
| power, in matters of detail, was still uncon-
| trolled. He alone appointed Pachas aud Beys;
| controlled the Ulema; distributed the pasha-
| lice; exercised supervisory control over the
| public officers, civil and military. He was in
| fact, monarch still, though on a reduced
scale. The war does not leave him a shadow
of sovereignty.
Constantinople is now governed by the Pera
suburb. After long and painful contest De-
tween the military Governors and the Divau,
conducted Oh the one side with asperity, vio-
lence and Pretorian swagger, on tue other
with the usual duplicity and covardice, the
Divan has at last yielded, and even the dogs
of STEAMBOAT have fallen under the control Of
the French aud English sensrisa Ssutari,