The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-12-13
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1857.
The Eastern Queslion.


AFFAIRS in the eastern section of Europe are
again assuming the dubious aspect which pre-
oeded the Crimean war, and every indication
now points to speedy renewal of the tradi-
tional struggle between the Sultan and the
Gar. The latter will never settle himself
down in the belief that the policy Of terrific
rial ACKNOWLEDGMENT inaugurated by Peter the
Great has reached its legitimate elimination,
unSl he has removed his court from st. Peters
burg to Constantinople. This would have
been accomplished years ago, If the Western
Powers had not regarded the aspirations of
Russia with such jealousy that the destruc-
tion OF the Mohammedan rule could not be
contaminated without achieving triumph
over the united armies of all the rest of
Europe. The memorable seige and fall of
Sebastopol operated as a check upon the
movement towards Constantinople; but
it was merely a check, and but
romentary one at that. During the period
which has elapsed since then, Russia has been
gaining steadily in strength, while the power
of Turkey has been rapidly dwindling
away. The conflicting populations of the
former have been rendered more
homogeneous by the policy of her
rulers, the abolition of serfdom gaining for
them the cordial sympathy of the most sub
stantial class of the inhabitants-the very
bone and sinew of the land. The course
pursued by the Sublime Porte, on the con-
trary has tended to widen the breach be-
tween the followers of the Crescent and the
Cross, and the moral and martial aid of the
the prospect of Russian supremacy, has been
the only support to the tottering throne of
the Sultan for the last fifteen years.
The timid foreign policy which has charac-
terized the English Government Of late has
materially weakened the resources of Turkey,
whose main reliance at present is the En-
peror of the French. So long as Napoleon
fails to come to terms with the Gar upon the
basis for permanent settlement of the vexa-
tious Eastern question: and still continues the
discussion of the subject in an amicable way,
the Sultan is at liberty to consider himself as
comparatively safe. This is certainly very
precarious tenure on which to hold a throne
1t is not less humiliating, but Turkey has beer
so severely schooled of late that she no longer
INDUCES in sentimental weakness on this
point. Meanwhile, she is preparing to meet
the approaching storm by straining every
nerve. Through the cooperation OF Western
capitalists, a gigantic system of railways
traversing every important part of the Euro
pean section of the empire, is about to bt
inaugurated; breech- loading arms of the mos
approved pattern are being furnished to tht
army large forces of which are already con
centrated in the discontented provinces Dor
dering upon Russia; and in general the Port
is placing itself upon war footing, with it
northern enemy as the objective point
But Russia is by no means idle. The repor
has gained general credence throughout Eu
rope that Prince Gortschakof is about tt
retire from the Cabinet Of st. Petersburg
according to report he has already done
settled that his successor will be Genera
Ignatieff, at present representing the Czar a
COnstantinople. This General Ignatieff is
genuine old Tartar, with thorough eontemp
for Turkey and everything pertaining to it
and consequently an ardent advocate of tn,
Inauguration of an aggressive policy on tn
part of his Government He is said to riva
Prince Mensohikof, who held the same pos
previous to the Crimean war, in his surlI
demeanor towards the Government to whicl
he is accredited; and even to have givel
avowed encouragement to the reVolutionar.
spirit which at present prevails in Bul
garia, .Servia, and Montenegro. Wit
the accession of Ignatieff to the Rus
sian Cabinet, in the place of tn
superannuated Gortschakoff, it will not be
matter of surprise if the discomfort which
80 rite in the northern provinces of Turke
receives such an impetus that the commence
ment of hostilities can no longer be averted
Indeed, the London Pail Mall Gazette, one 9
the most sagacious journals in Europe, antic
pates that an insurreotion, instigated b
Russia, will break out in Bulgaria in tn
coming spring, and that the Gear will follo'
up the advantage without delay. By tina
time, it is expected that the Sultan will hav
at his command force of 10000 men, a
provided with the most destructive and eff
cient weapons. But Russia will not entar IN,
the contest without ample preparation. AM
perohance, before Napoleon can come TO n
rescue with his charming Chassepots,
Alexander may be safely entrenched in Co
stantinople.
In such event, it is extremely doubtful
the GLORY of France will profit much by