The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-06-20
The Eastern Question.

Lord John RlSsells statement ia the House OF Commons
Friday night with regard 10 the proposed Intervention
between Turkey and her Christian subjects, is emineny
resssuring in two important particulars The inquiry, In
the first place which the Russian government desired "a
place HIGHLANDS Of the consu Of the great Powers has
been Spontaneously taken by the Turkish government
upon itself and with an acriiy which saspends all pre-
text OF Intervention by any of the other Powers who
were parties 10 the treaty OF Paris In the second
place. the conduct which has been pursued BY H. Thou
yeoei through the whole OF the negotiation,
which Russia set foot six weeks ago, appears
60 have been precisely OF that plain and consistent
character which was TO be expected OF The Minister
OF q Power which fought with US for the support OF
the Turkish authority only four ago and confirmed
treaty concluded lately the 10Th OF August
1858, the policy for which France and England had
tended in The present question appears 10 have
origpacd In communication OF Prince Gortschako 10
the Turkish Ambassador at 81 Petersburg to the eec,
that any such massacre the Christians BY the Mahome
tans, he deemed the growing anatcsm OF the latter
reudetcd no, improbable must provoke the interference
OF Russia behalf OF her coregionists. The Russian
Minister OF Foreign Affairs proceeded the 9Th of May
10 reduce the question which his government had raised
60 three distinct heads IN presence of the Ambassadors
OF England, France, Austra and Prussia. The Russian
propositions wcrcFst that tho condition Of the Chris
tians in Turkey had become inoleable secondly, that
inquiry must be Instituted jointly BY the Turkish
authorities and the consular officers OF the four Powers,
for lTus a had no such establishments in Turkey; aud
thirdly that the organization Of the treaty OF Paris being
inccent In point OF security for the Christians new
Organization must be provided for them
Now in the manner in which thsee three propositions Of
the Russian government have been received by the Bri
tsh and French courts there really does not appear to be
any material difference Both parties were equally
y.
his dignity and Independence in the course Of any such
measures should be recommended 20 the Porte 81
nouvenel and Lord John Russell appear 10 agree with
gard 10 the abuses and msgovernncnt thai continue
prevail In the Turkish empire; but while they In
this point, they also in thinking that the govern
mcn has rather advanced than rerogadcd and that any
changes made in It's internal relations not only should
but In fact might be made subscrycn 10 the increase OF
the power Of the Turkish government. " Thouyencls
testimony 70 matters Of fact connected with Turkish adj
minstratlon comedies also with that Of Sir Henry Bull
and both the and the other advocate the cxpcd
ency of inquiry into the position Of the Christians.
The question Of an inquiry forms the second proposition
of Prince GortschakO and II appears 20 be only this
point that either France England has concurrcd IN his
representations To the first assertion that the position
o. the Christians had become ntocrabe Lord John Rus
sell expressly dcrnurs, and u does not appear that "
Thouvcnel has given TO this posiuate ~ Prince Gorts
chakor any countenance. The third and principal
proposition which Russia has attempted IN draw
n corollary FROM the two prcce,iinr ones that a
new orr,niration must be gwen a. the proyne In aucs
ton, has been resisted absolutely equivalent 70 n
violation Of the treaty Of Paris Nevertheless that treaty
eGectuay provides for the JOINT protection Of the Chris
tan subjects Of The Porte by III the Powers who
united with Turkey in ts conclusion and we do not put
inside ambitious schemes 81 reorganization 80 much be
cause the Christians may not require further assurances
because the treaty provides for their protection with
out the infection Of such blow on Turkish aimnisira
too az Russia has IN all ages OF her history been anxious
10 nnict
Is now, therefore, arranged that the inquiry
is IL be instituted by Turkish authorities, but
whether by the Grand vizicr in person or nv
three Turkish commissions ~ not certain More
probably q commission IN each OF the thrce pro-
under the personal supcrntendcncc cC the Grand Vi
zicr This cxpcdcnt, whatever may be ts precise details
appcarS have originated IN the French Ambassador.
who has thus offered another instance Of the desire u his
uphold the authority Of the sultan. The foreign
consuls. according 20 this arrangcment-to which the
Russian Ambassador n Constannope has lent an &C
quesceucc that implies the concurrence Of his govern
meotdo not take part In the commssion but we think
win be oC great advantage II ,hcy accompany ", with
permission W call Witnesses and the Porte be wise "
viii strain every 10 grant the Christians ~ ici,
that equality with Mussulmans which they ENJOY IN law,
which may close the complaint q Russia.
The great numerical superiority Of Christians over Ma
hone,sns IN European Turkey Is circumstance which
has long rendered difficult for 10 believe that any
such extensive tyranny the enemies % Turkey denoance
can possibly prevail The population Of European Turkey
million seven hundred and hfy thousand only are Ma
hometans; while there remain SIX million hundred
and any thousand Christians The disprOporton between
Turks and Christians Is greater nearly half of
the million seven hundred and CITY thousand Ma
hoeans Of European origin for instance Bosnans
and Abanians IL would be conceivable enough that " the
Turkish government using s military strength to
keep down the Christians the Austrian government has
bccn acting towards the ungarans the waSe few mght
tyrsnnise over the many. But this y m Instance IN
which the government uphods the rights Of the Christian
races against--we hardly know whom, but We VIII say
against nsubordnate officials and half lanatical mno
tity N the civil populacc. While the Christians have
their rights In Law they ought. conceive, 10 be abe
b. maintain them IN TACT also, In circumstances such a.
these AT any rate. " hardly credible that the eva can
I've deeper than u within the power Of the government
70 remove; and II the Grand vizcr viii really address
himself Va rcformwhich no one can eicctuaie more
vigoronsy than Turkish official when once reused from
his lethargy-thcre be &c nicrFcntons
IN the East for long period.