The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-03-19
THE ISLAND OF PERM

Translated from lie Nord of the 9th of Feb 1883
The French journals have lately published, with
out reflection and as fact-and a source of con
graduation rather than pity the news of the ami
cable arrangement of the little difference which had
occurred between the cabinets of London and Con
stantinople on the subject of the island of Perrin
England has been willing to recognize that this
island belongs to Turkey and that she had taken
possession of it without any right. The right of
Turkey being recognized, she was willing to receive
in exchange an indemnity, of which it only remains
to Tx the sum, and the matter is ended.
The Ottoman Porte will receive or will not receive
the price of her ancient possession. England will
remain elated with her acquisition, and will
add peacefully this Jewel to the maritime
crown with which she will finish by enclosing
all seas.
We do not wish to take up new questions and
difficulties nevertheless, it to that there is
more than one consideration for politicians to med
ltate upon. In profound article on the question
as semi-official, French journa-the Constitution
mel of 9th June last brought out the military i'm
portance and great interest of this little island
which commands the Red sea and the Indian ocean,
Situated in the narrowest part of the straits of
Babelmandel, its cannons could command the
space between the shores of Africa and Arabia and
command the whole strait. An English garrison
on this srategetc point of the first order second
key of the Red sea, Alden being the first takes
away all chance for merchantmen or man-of-war to
go in or come out of the Red sea without the au-
thorlty OF the British governments and thus assumes
this side the absolute monopoly ofthe commerce of
the lndean to England The Constitutionnel
after having established this fact draws no other
conclusion from it than sentiment of profound ad-
mlratlon for the political genius and the depth and
perseverance OF English views. 1t seems to us, new
ertheless that some general conclusions are to be
deduced. What will become for example, by the
opening of the lsthmus of Suez, to which France
In particular, and with her all Europe, are inter
ested for the glory of civilization and the general
interests OF navigation; whilst England, already in
possession OF Alden, without having bought it, buys
Perrin NJ de Lesseps continues to fight for his
project against the difficulties which English diplo
macy raises against him. But, whether his project
succeeds or not, what matters it to England? She
holds the two keys to the Red sea, Alden and Perrin
Gut as many canals as you choose you only get
In or get out of the Red according to the pleas
ure OF her cannon
There is, meanwhile, another question which Eu-
rope, with her eyes open, ought not it to u.s.
for a moment to lose sight of. England is advan-
cling increasingly over the seas, of which she sue
cesslvely occupies, and as if by pre-empton RIGHT
all the commercial and strategic points. Has she,
on this head, no account to render to Europe? She
Is Just now very importunate in ASIA but is that
reason she should be permitted to take there posi-
ton contrary to all the interests of Europe? She
takes Alden and Perrin. The Times is astonished
that she has not thought of sooner since it suits
her so well. 1t is especially astonished that she alb
stains any longer from acting politically in Egypt
itself. OF
With all this, what becomes of the balance of
powerl Recently, to guaranty her this balance, a
war OF giants was undertaken between European ma
lions; Turkey has been introduced into the Europe
an concert OF action the great powers have re-uni
ted themselves to guaranty, in common by a SOL
emn treaty, the independence and integrity of her
territory, and to declare that they will consider for
the future any act of a nature to infringe them
question OF general interest. This thing must be
understood nevertheless if the integrity of the ter
rltory OF Turkey is necessary to toe equilibrium of
the powers of the world, Turkey herself cannot in
fringe it. She can no more diminish it by a volun-
tary cesson, than lose it by usurpaton conquest.
1t is for the interest of Europe, we'll her own
that her territory has been declared nviolabe. She
owes 1T to Europe to preserve it intact.
And let it not be said it is question of nothing;
of trife of estate which can neither be colon
lied nor put to any use-for the principle would be
the same If she can yield or sell an estate with
out value, she yield or sell province Be-
Sides this estate without value is strategic point
separates the Red Sea from the Indian Ocean, and
also the south of Arabia. This estate in the hands
of England, is Malta and Gibraltar in Asia. Can
Turkey thus sell to whomsoever she pleases on all
her coasts, estates without value, what might even
tually become formidable fortresses? What would
be said if she made similar concession to every
other power well as England?
II she gave, for example, the Isle of Serpents to
Russia, what clamors would appear in the English
journals, and with what authority would they not
demand the maintenance of the territorial integrity
OF Turkey? Where is the difference if she lets
Alden be taken or sells Perrin? Europeans must be
very blind or very feeble before the bold and I'M
scrupuous genius of England. 1t would be WELL
however, to understand once for all the value and
extent OF the principle of the territorial integrity
OF turkey The European guarantee under the
egs OF which this integrity has been confded-isit
binding on Turkey and England as on the other
powers? Can Turkey, who cannot lose her terrific
ries by conquest, yield them by treaties? The ex-
tent of the conquered yielded territory is not the
question; 1t is the principle Washington Union,