The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-09-26
THE EASTERN QUESTION.

Probable Alliance of France and Prussia Against
Russia-Russian Agents Creating Dissension in
tie Christian Provinces Of Turkey.
Paris (Sept. 81 Correspondence London Times.
There are unmstakable symptoms abroad that
Russia is emerging from the state of apparent
apathy, as regards foreign affairs, in which she
has sunk since the CTlmean war was closed by
the treaty of Paris. Her Government has been
aroused by the events of the last two years, aud
you may expect shortly TO read diplomatic
circular from the st. Petersburg foreign office,
in which a very decided tone Will be taken. The
Russian journal referred to by your Vienna
correspondent in the Times OF the 5th inst.
to have had an inklng of this wnen it BOLDLY
declared that, as the settlement of Europe made
in 1915 has been completely upset, there is no
reason why Russia snould be bound by the
treaty of Paris, in 1856, that the Black Sea must
be Tree 10 her again, and that the injurious oblt-
CATIONS imposed on her by a coalition OF the
Western powers are no longer binding. l ven
ture TO assure you that this will be found to be
very much the strain Of the circular in question,
III which the Russian Government remarks on
the system OF proceeding by violence that has
become prevalent in Europe for the settlement
of disputed quest tons, instances the cases OF the
Danish Duches, the Dauuban Principaties
and the recent war and auneXatious In Ger
many, and declares her intention of acting in
future as her interests dictate, and without
sho wing greater regard to treaties than has
been shown by her neighbors.
After ten years, the Treaty of Paris is as gall
ing 70 Russia on the first day, aud even more
so, because she sees that Others have rebellel
against and broken similar bonds. That treaty,
as shrewd diplomatist lately remarked to me,
Inundated Russia without weakening her, and
so Tar it was a mistake. But since then Russia
m has revived and regained strength; She sees
the political waters Of Europe troubled, and she
is disposed 10 fish in them. Many persons
imagine that in years time, when the great
Paris Exhibition is drawing 10 its close, we
shall be on the brink Of war between France
and Prussia.
What If instead of that, we saw the Eastern
question opened, and France and Prussia in
alliance? The tendency seems in that direction.
We cannot imagine France attacking Prussia
for The mere pleasure of beating her, and then
retreating within her former lImits-always sup
posing her victorious, which is by no means
certain. The object of such war must be an
extension OF frontier and such an attempt would
array the whole of Germany against France
the Austrian Germans not excepted. Germany
feels her strength, and will relinquish meme Of
territory.
On the other hand, there are various indica.
tions that the Eastern question will again before
long become prominent, and very probably the
cause OF war. Russia is concentrating troops at
Kharkov, good central position, convenient
for start in various directions. In Servia, we
learn from Vienna, large armaments have for
some time past been making, and great number
OF rifed cannon have been obtained. National
committees are said to be active in the Christian
provinces OF Turkey, and only wait a signal to
BRING about an lnsurrectIon. The hand of
Russia is discovered in this, and Austria is on
her guard. The Austrian ConsulS at Belgrade
and Bucharest have been summoned to Vienna
TO supply information.
According to letter from Vienna, in the
Pdtrae the Emperor of Russia lately said to the
minister of foreign power that he "could not
behold with indifference the establishment in
Europe of the principle of the predominance of
force over right. On the same authority we
learn that orders have been given to finish. in
the early months of 1867, the railways which
are to connect Kew with Lemberg, Odessa and
Bala; the line from Kew to Balta is TO be
handed over to the Government on the lst of
November next. The concession of a double
line, which will put Kew in direct communica.
ton with two important points of Galicia has
just been granted, although the Austrian Gov
ernment is SAID to be not yet agreed with that
of Russia on the strategical direction to be
given to these two new lines.