The New York herald., 1867-02-07
THE EASTERN QUESTION.
ATTITUDE OF THE EUROPEAN POWERS.
Relations to Turkey OF Russia, Eng
land, France, Greece, Italy,
spain and Austria.
- Gc AN
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The Cretan revolt partly inspired by the aspirations
for unity of the Greek nationality; but Is mainly due
10 the for Mahometan rule which psrvades
the whole Christian population OF the Turkish empire
Paradoxcai as il seems, Is the called Christian Pow
ers OF Europe which have for the past thirty years pro-
vented the release Christians from the tyranny OF the
Mussulman, for fear OF disturbing the "balance Of
power" clear understanding OF the causes and prog
ress of the present revolution be had therefore,
without reference 70 what is called
THE lAsrRRx QUESTION
All the other large nations OF Europe jealous Of the
power OF Russia Already numbering nearly seventy
millions OF people, and covering territory larger than
all the rest Of Europe they do not deem it prudent 10
permit the Muscovte empire TO absorb any moro territory
In Europe Russia on the other hand. with all her
area feels the need OF seaports and hnd them
her purpose nowhere else than in tho Mediterranean
That she must eventually attain this certain
and hence the anxiety with which the other European
Powers watch every development that tends 70 hasten
the dreaded event France too, desires build up her
commerce in the Mediterranean and through the Suez
Canal control the trade Of India England demu TO
sharing her monopoly in that quarter with either Of
these powerful competitors. Especially does Great
Britain dread being excluded from the route through
Egypt by the changes Of government in that region,
which breaking up the Turkish empire may bring about
France is constantly intriguing to get the advantage in
this matter. The London Times recently declared that
70 the fate OF Turkey England cared but tle but
that her interests in Egypt such justify
expenditure Of every man and every dollar sha could
raise This is apparent when consider that her hold
India itself would be in danger she confined to
the circutous communication around the Cape OF Good
Hope
It's France and Russia therefore which are chiefly
ri or T,,rk in Erro
when Egypt thrown out OF consideration. The gravi-
taon toward Russia Of the Christian population Of that
region stronger from the fact that they belong TO the
Greek Church Besides, they outnumber tho Mahom-
etan population by more than two to one One Of the
objects Of French diplomacy, therefore, 10 to propa-
gandize Roman Catholicism among them, and thus re-
move the pretext by which Russia ciams natural and
special protectorate over them Another scheme is to
extend the dominion Of Greece over the whole Of Tur-
key in Europe thas the Russian will still be excluded
and the 'baance Of power" preserved. But there is
nxed resolve that however much the Christian may
suffer- Turkey shall not pass under the rule Of the Gar
The attempt which Russia made to relieve them In 1854
was resisted BY England and France immense cost
France expended 800 o00 900 francs and 5000 lives
In consideration Of these sacrhces the Turkish govern
mont stipulated in the treaty Of 1885, that the groat
Powers should have the right 10 interfere for the protec
ton Of his Christian subjects from oppression.
PECULIAR RsLAnoH OF CRETE 10 TEE PRorscrNG rowxRs
The people Of Gambia have peculiar claims upon the
protecting Powera Their injuries from them date back
to the revolution Of ls2o In that contest the Ctans
had succeeded In rescung their island from the Turk
with the exception Of the fortified towns Of Canda Re-
tmo and Khania; and these could not have held out
after the destruction OF the Turkish feet At Navarino
It against the protest Of their representatives At
Constantnope that these protecting Powers" agreed
the London conferences to deliver Gambia over 70
vcsroy Of Egypt In sidertion for the destruction
OF his feet at Navarino They promised, however, In
the protocols Of February 10 and August 1890 e.
notification Of April 1880, addressed to the Sublims
Porte by the Representatives Of France, England and
Of Samos and Gambia were rssubjected 70 Ottoman
rule They not only assured the people against punish
arbitrary and oppressive sc,s instead Of this
and other outragce were permitted In ls40 when the
var between lshemst All and the Sultan gave the
Cretans hope OF deliverance they transferred BY
the protecting Powers from bad to worse being thrown
again under the intolerable rule Of the Turk Their
revolt 10 l641 met with no countenance from their
fsprotectorA"
rnx TREATIES or 1854 AND 1855
When, In 1854 thsoe christian" nations combined
to cave the Mahomstan empire it became a matter Of
policy to obtain from the Sultan treaty stpulatons
promising ameioration Of the condition Of bis Christian
subjects This necessary in order 10 remove tho
pretext upon which Russia waged the war. II was
agreed By Turkey in the treaty Of March II 1854 that
the Christian population should have equality before the
law eligibility to all empoymens. and tho. right TO
testify lin the coura II was promised that mixed ribu.
mails should be established that the tax laws should be
changed and that the karatch life ransom) should be
abolished Of all these promises the Turkish govern.
ment kept only one-they abolished tho kAordtch Al
the end OF the war, however the Sublime Porte came
forward voluntarily with q new batch OF promises. On
the 18th Of February, 1856, was promulgated what il
called
rHs HATH sH.Rrr. OR HArr-HuxAYux
This was solemn decree which was regarded by the
the privileges Stipulated for in The treaty % ot 1854
promised further reorganization Of the finances the
annual publication of budget Of receipts and expend
ture the establishment OF civil and criminal codes tho
granting to all foreigners Of right to hold property, and
the opening up Of lines and waysof communication All
charters railroads and the privilege Of develop
ing the OF the Turkish empire The Mussul
is afraid OF civilization and prefers like Giant
leisure
THE srrUArIor IN 1885,
Such, then, is the situation In which the Christian
populations OF Turkey found themselves n 1866 They
left practically at the mercy Of race Of bgoted
barbarans, who looked upon them dogs and treated
them such and whose religion taught them that all
the promises made TO unbeleven void OF binding
other afraid Of Russia fearful Of bringing about
another grcatwar the results Of which upon their self
h ney dspso nG q. @ .c
OF these Powers during tho course Of the revolution
thus far and in the future.
or all the European Powers Russia manifcss the least
anxiety ST. Petersburg journal Of September rs cody
Russia desires no territory only that the Christian peo-
Die should rule themselves; and that, II the Western
Powers will help them achieve this result Russia will
not oppose Russia will rest content those popula
tons content, but win help them they call upon
her 10 do So
Nevertheless all eyes turned upon the Car, and
bis sctions eaously watched There have been fire.
quent about the movements Of his troops
and especially about the increase Of his naval armament
In the Black Sea- II In alleged that he 10 building neet
Of vessels there and 70 bring u into the Meditcr-
rsnean, In violation Of the Treaty Of Paris "under pro-
test Of meeting squadron America Is 70 send there
General expectation Of the advent Of this Russian hcet
described prevailing along tho shores OF Albania--
many pretend ng TO name the date Of is comng-and
this has tended extend and Increase the excitement In
Eprus and Thessaly The Russian people said TO Be
impatient for action In behalf Of their In
Turkey There have been rumors OF proposition by
Russia OF general conference OF the great Powers 70
considsr the condition Of the Christians
The rcal attitude Of Russia Is probably Indicated In an
article recently published the Moscow Ca,efse ssm-
ofcia organ OF the Russian Cabinet II declares that
the time has come for Russia to relieve herself the
false position In which she placed by the treaty OF
PARIS and give her moral support Ia The strureiinv