Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1867-09-19
The Russian Ultimatum.

The crisis in the Eastern question hns
come at last. The ambassador of Russia
at Constantinople, Ignatieff, as we learn
by q special cable dispatch to the Tribune,
has, In the name OF his Government,
made formal demand for the cesslon Of
Crete to Greece, and for the bestowal Of
equal rights upon all the Christian sub
jects of the Porte. These demands are
declared to be the ultinatum of the Rus
sian Government, and an answer is asked
for within ten days.
Supposing the cable dispatch to be en-
tirely correct-as we have no doubt it is
the great turning point in the history
of Eastern Europe has been reached
Whatever answer the Porte may give to
the Russian ultimatum, the power of the
last Mohammedan dynasty in Europe
will be forever broken. Should the de-
mand be granted, Crete be united with
Greece, and the equality of political rights
for Christians and Mohammedans be es-
tablished, European Turkey, i'm which
there are over IL 100000 Christians
against only 1900, 600 of Mohammedans,
will at once assert itself as a predomi-
nantly Christian people, which will soon
use this newly-gained influence for the
establishment of its entire independence.
A submission to the Russian demands
ton that it will hardly prove any respite
for the downfall of the Turkish rule; but
Greece, increased by Crete, and now gov
erned by King who is nearly related to
the Car, will at once make undisguised
efforts for the annexation of the Southern
Provinces of European Turkey, Thessaly
and Epirus, in which the Greek race
prevails, and for instigating the semi
Independent princes of Roumania and
Servia to cooperate with her in expell-
ing the Turks from Europe, and in par
titioning the European dominions of the
Sultan. The Government of Constanti-
nople is fully aware that no reforms
whatever can prevent these movements
from taking place, for they are now more
than struggle for religious equality
they are like the similar movement in
Italy and Germany, the yearning Of a
nation for self-government and National
Consolidation.
Will the Turkish Government, to
which this character of the national
movements among its Christian subjects
is by no means unknown, gather up cour-
age for precipitating the decisive contest /!
\ single-handed war against Russia
would, of course, be ended almost as soon
as it was commenced. The only possible
help for the Turks would again be for.
eign aid. The Governments of England
France, and Austria undoubtedly sym
pathize with Turkey against Russia; but
will they dare to help Turkey? In En-
gland, since the Crimean war, the pop
ular aversion to interference in foreign
uuarrels has been steadily on the in
crease, and it is not probable that tht
Tories are willing to defy this popular
sentiment now, especially when the pas
| Of no of 10 Il
strengthened the Radical party, which
is almost unit in its opposition to a new
Eastern war. The Emperors of Austrii
and France have but recently exchanged
views on the present aspects of the East
! ern question. The step now taken by
Russia was undoubtedly anticipated, ant
! formed one of the subjects of their con
versations. If we could rely on tn,
| boastful language of some semi-officia
| organs of the two Empires, France anC
Austria are determined to make stanC
against really aggressive policy of Rus
sia in the East. Whether their boas
will be carried out must soon become
apparent. Any move of this kind or
the part of Austria and France would a.
once bring Prussia to the side of Russia.
| Thus war of the grandest dimensions
NAV break out, with Turkey, Austria
|
and Prussia on the other.
| The further development of this Rus
sian-Turkish complication will he await
ed with intense anxiety. If Turkey de
clines to comply with the Russian de
mand, and if Russia, in return, threaten:
with war, efforts will undoubtedly b.
made, as was the case before the Ger
manhattan war. and in the LuXem
! burg question to attempt peaceabl,
solution by a new European Congress
| New delays may thus be caused, but tn,
tide of events will not be turned. Isola
| ted movements in European politics may
be novel and surprising in their origiT
and uncertain as TO their end; side issues
may for some time draw off attention
| from the great questions of the Old
! World, and lead to strange, ephemerou'
combinations, but the final goal towarC
which European society is drifting witt
| irresistible force, appears in even create
| clearness to the eyes of the interested
nations. We have no longer an isolated
italian, or German, or Austrian, or Tur
! kish question, but one central question
of the reconstruction of Europe. What
wise seers predicted as long as fifty year.
ago, is now becoming fact. The peo
| pIe which was so haughtily looked dowI
upon and despised by the council o
monarchs and statesmen at the Vienn'
Congress in 1915, has learned to under
stand its power 1t summons the heir
of its oppressors before the bar of univer
sal, eternal principles, and demands tc
know ou what authority princes can dis
member nations and dispose of them o
of chattels. according to their will ant
pleasure. The decisions of 1915 are de
clared null and void; the right of ever,
nation to restore its national unity is NOR
and more acknowledged, and thus the wa,
prepared for reconstruction of all Eu
rope on the basis ofthe nationality prin
ciple. ".# .. ...
Democratic Deeenoy.
From the Cincinnati Gazette, lith.