New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-01-28
TILE EASTERN QUESTION.

II is hardly necessary for us to say that the
Cable dispatch which--fOr the tenth or tweiftn
time-announces that the Cretan instruction Is
at an end is not entitled to any more credit
than the preceding dispatches of the same KIND,
which were contradicted on the next or second
next day. Contradictory as the war dispatches
of belligerent parties must be ex-
pected to be, it is generally conceded
that the electric wire has never been
more shamefully abused than it is now by the
Turkish Government. SO glaring, indeed, has
been the distortion of facts, that the dispatches
emanating from the Porte and its faithful
allies, the Governments of England and France,
have long since ceased to find the least
credence The millions who sympathize with
the struggling patriots of Crete will require
much stronger proof than London or Con-
stantnople dispatch before they abandon their
hopes for the triumph of the righteous cause.
Of more Importance than this London
dispatch announcing the end of the insur-
rection, is statement which we give in another
column, from trustworthy sources, concerning the
strength of the Turkish troops and of the insur-
gents. II the number Of the former has been
reduced to 10000 and the latter can muster 5000
well-armed combatants, the prospects for the
heroic Cretans are good, regardless even OF the
aid they may reasonably expect from the rising
in other Christian provinces.
Another Cable dispatch, announcing that the
Russian, Prussian, and French Governments
have resolved to negotiate in common with
the Porte upon the Eastern question may not,
to an equal degree, lack confirmation, but II
certainly lacks explanation. The intentions OF
Russia have long been known. 1t demands
now, as it did before the Crimean War, salts
factory guarantees of the civil rights OF
the oppressed Christian Provinces from the
british despotsm of the Turks, and it does
not conceal its profound sympathy with the
aspirations of these Provinces for the restora-
ton of their national independence. There has
been great change, not in the schemes OF
Russia, but in the public opinion OF Europe
Before the Crimean war, public opinion III
Europe did not sustain Russia, and the Liberal
papers, seeing in the Russian policy nothing
but q desire of ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, generally
sided with France, England, and Turkey. Now
it is different Garibaldi, Victor Hugo, and the
Liberals of every European country are work
ing in complete harmony with the efforts OF
Russian diplomacy; and so strong runs the cur
rent of public opinion, that the Governments OF
England and France have clearly been influenced
by it, and have not the courage to embark in
another Crimean war for the purpose OF uphold
ing the Ottoman Empire. 1t was expected that
in this question Prussia would ally herself with
Russia for nothing can be better calculated to
further the aspirations of Prussia in the Ger
man question than an alliance with Russia.
oil. Of Eron
would certainly seem to be most singular
and most unexpected change of policy. France,
even more than England, has done every
thing in its power to discourage the Cretan
patriots and the revolutionary movements in
other provinces of European Turkey, to dis
pose public opinion in Europe against them,
and to strengthen the authority of the Sultan
The Turks have been so well pleased with the
conduct of France, that the new French En-
bassadOr at Constantinople, Nj. Bouee, re-
ceived reception which, on account of the
extraordinary pomp displayed by the Govern
ment, provoked demands for explanations
from several representatives OF foreign
Courts. 1t would, certainly, be strange
if the special protector of the Turks had
suddenly united with the special protector OF
the Christians Has France in order to pre-
vent partition of Turkey, proposed to Russia
to compromise their divergent views by joint
demand of municipal reforms for the several
Provinces, with renewed guarantee of the
sovereignty of the Porte9 Or has one OF the
numerous partition schemes, which have for
some time been discussed even by the official
papers of the different European cOun-
tries, proved a bait which the French Gov
eminent felt itself unable to resist
We have to wait for further intelligence on this
subject before we can express definite opinion.
Whatever combinations may be agreed upon
may delay but cannot avert the dissolution of
the Turkish empire which can be said to be not
less certain than was the annexation of Venice to