The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-03-07

The Eastern question does not appear to be-
come less complicated as time advances. In
yesterdays issue we published telegram an
nouncing that "a general rising Of the Chris
tians was considered imminent We also
published an extract from the speech of Lord
Stanley, delivered in the House of Commons
on the 18th Of February, on the occasion Of the
debate on the affairs Of the East. The speech
Of Lord Stanley, whatever may be the opinion
entertained in regard to the policy 1t advo-
Gates, is a clear and mastery statement OF the
whole question from the government point Of
view. Lord Stanley tells us what the govern
ment might have done and what the govern
mcnt actually have done. In regard to Servis
we are informed that advice was rendered to
the Porte to the effect that certain concessions
should be made, and that the advice was
received in spirit Of Cancellation. The Cretan
affair was more difficult to deal with. The gov
eminent, whatever might be their sympathies
with the struggling Christians, felt themselves
bound by the laws Of neutrality from any act
that might be interpreted as armed interference
by the other European Powers. In Lord STAN
ley's opinion there were three possible courses
open to government. One was to carry out
the principle of non-interventon in the strictest
and most literal sense" As there had been
Intervention in the shape of advice that point
was dismissed. Another course was "to advise
the cession of the island to Greece" 1t is
manifest, from the lang uage employed BY his
lordship, that he considers it question open
to some doubt whether the Cretans would be
actually benefited by the transfer. Not that he
is opposed to the union Of the Greek races,
but because sit was impossible to say that the
present state Of Greece was satisfactory" His
chief objections to this course are-frst, that
the interests of the Mussulman population in
Crete, numbering some seventy thousand, had
to be consulted I; and secondly, that it would
establish precedent which was certain to
be urged in future difficulties and could not
fail to lead to '4he further ACKNOWLEDGMENT Of
the Turkish EMPIRE There wasa third course
they could tender friendly advice. That they
had done, not, perhaps, precisely in the terms
nor in the way some could have wished it
done, but to the best of their ability, in cir
cumstances Of very peculiar difficulty. They
had reminded the Porte Of the treaty rights Of
1856, which placed the Christian population in
position Of perfect equality with the Mussul-
man. They had not, however, advised the
cession Of Crete to Greece. Such in substance
is Lord SANKEY'S speech II shows the attitude
Of the English government at that date. Weeks,
however, have since elapsed, and it Is not inn
probable that the policy Of government d
now greatly modified. Russia has since adj
vised the Porte to cede the island of Crete 10
Greece. Whether England has seen at to con-
cur in that advice we have yet to learn. II ID
significant that Lord Stanley does not indicate
what are the views Of the other Powers in re-
gard to this vexed question. Turkey, it h
manifest to all the world, is in pitifully help
less condition. The European Powers cannot
do better than leave her alone. The Christians
are numerous enough and powerful enough to
lead their own cause to ultimate victory. AL
things indicate that we are on the eve Of .
great struggle.