New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-12-30
THE GRAND POWEE:s OF ECBOPE
AND TIE GREEK QUESTION.

Whenever grave Disturbances are occurring
or threatening complications arising in one OF
the minor States OF Europe. it has been Gus
tomary 70 conyoke Congress Of tn Grand
Powers. for the purpose Of restoring
or maintaining peace. Until recently, these
Congresses were generally composed OF the rep
roseuiaiiscs of five States-France, England,
Russia, Austria, Prussia. When the King of
Sardinia, in consequence oil tie incorporation
of nearly all the Italian States with bis domin-
ions, became King Of Italy the new state,
which, IN point OF population, exceeds Prussia,
Was likewise admitted to these Conferences,
and recognized Us one Of tie Grand Powers OF
Europe. France proposed also the admission
OF Spain, whose population nearly equals that OF
Pru,sia, and considerably exceeds The latter,
If The uon-Luropean colonies of Spain are
counted in. IAc admission of Spain Is tali to
have been objected 10 by England, Prussia and
Russia because ia dat case there would have
been four Catholic Grand Powers against only
two Protestant aud one Greek. Still il is con-
sdcred probable that, if .he power and infu.
cnce of Spain should continue 10 increase, as
1t has doht for some time, the objections t.
Der admission among the Grand Powers OF
Europe will be Withdrawn.
While there hos been thus, oD the one hand,
desire to increase the number of the Graud
Powers, especially on the part Of France,
which hoped to dnd in ltily aud SPAN obed-
eat ABILITIES. there appears also, GA the other
haud a distinction 10 be made between the
Grand Powers, the questions OF the great
est Importance to be- reserved 10 the decision
OF France, England, aud Russia. 1t WAS tnese
Powers taa;, according to the proposal OF
France. were TO offer a Joint mediation IN our
war, and il Is these three which are nOw de-
iibcraling about n settlement oil the Greek
question. la the latter case, they have 1t, OF
coulsc, IN their power to ea.orco any settle.
alcnt OF ths question upon which they may be
bic 10 agree.
II ties ia tie selfish character OF every me-
natch.cal Government, that each OF these three
Giaad Powers watches VITA the utmost jealousy
the Gongs Of The two others. Their sec,et
agents are constantly intriguing asaius. each
other, AM while in their olic al Intercourse
nolhing bnt reservations of the most cordial
aud intimate friendship are heard OIL sudden
disturbances olten bring prominently 10 light the
deep plots which they arc laying against each
other. The development OF tnr Greek qucs-
tun ia a very interesting and instructive spccl-
men OF this kind. o..
II is NOW iuliy evident that the dethrone-
ment of King Ohio had been forseca by
the three Grand Powers, aud that they Lad
iakeu III advance measures ior filing tho vacant
CIRQUE. Russia aud Fraace, which had encuur
aged the aspirations of the GREEKS Tor an
enlargement Of their territory by tho anneXa-
ton of some Turkish Provinces, urged the
candidature OF tue Duke of Leuchhienberg, II
relative Of the Emperor Of Russia. 40 England
was looked upon as the oppoucnt OF the national
wishes of tue Greeks, tho election of The
Russian Prince appeared to be certain. Never
ihccss, England has quite Unexpectedly sue
ceeded in completely turning the tide OF pclit-
cal opinion. Not only have tho people de-
manded almost unanimously Prince Alfred OF
England for their King, but they have even
driven the foremost advocates Of the Russian
candidate out of the country. OF course, i'm
portant promises must have been held out to the
Greeks, to produce thIs change in their views.
What these promises have been, may be learned
from the news brought yesterday by the Etna
that England proposes to cede tho lon'an
Islands " tho Greeks. ii tho two other Grand