The New York herald., 1868-12-17

PIE SHEET.
The Eastern Question-The Relations OF
Turkey and Greece.
The Eastern question, which for time has
been in abeyance, is again fairly revived
The Cretan difficulty was supposed to have
been played out The insurrection was put
down, and in spite of the reports which have
been freely circulated to the contrary the
clemency manifested towards the vanquished
insurgents was magnanimous and wise. The
trouble on the island has been kept alive
wholly by Grecian intrigue. Everything has
been done by the Greek government and by
private citizens to encourage and keep alive
the disafrection Of the Cretans. The Sultan's
government has been singularly patient and
long-suffering under great provocation. 1t
has demonstrated with Greece directly; it has
called forth remonstrances from the Western
Powers who are parties to the treaties
which guarantee the status quo in the
East; but all has been unavailing. The
Greeks have persisted in their meddling and
contemplate policy. Turkish patience is at
last exhausted. The Greeks, stubborn as ever,
have rejected the Sultans ultimatum. The re-
suit, according to our latest news, is that the
Greek Ambassador has left Contantinople and
the Turkish Ambassador has left Athens What
adds little to the complication Of affairs is
the recall from Constantinople of the Austrian
Ambassador, who, it appears, had been max
ing himself offensive to the government there.
As we understand the situation, the Turkish
government has the sympathy Of Great Britain,
France and Austria, and from the recent ad-
vice of Prussia to Prince Charles of Roumania
it is reasonable to infer that Prussia goes with
the other great Western Powers. The case,
the persistency Of the Greek government in
this matter is unintelligible on any other sup
position than that it confidently counts on q
rising among the Greek subjects of the Porte,
and that it is secretly encouraged by Russian
emissaries. If war does break out between
Greece and Turkey, and Russia is kept out of
it, it will virtually amount to a civil war. The
great object Of the Western Powers will be to
keep Russia out of the melee. If Russia does
interfere European war will be unavoidable.
We are hopeful that the collision will yet be
avoided; but we cannot deny that the present
aspect of things is ominous Of great trouble.
Good News for the Washington Lobby.
The lobbymen and some of the newspaper
correspondents in Washington will no doubt
rejoice at the opening of the new field for spec
ulation and peculation which the cable news
brings, to the effect that Mr. Raasloff, the dis
| tinguished Danish Minister of War, is in fail
ing health and in few days will visit our
shores for the purposes of recuperation. 1t
is pleasant to learn that our climate is thought
by the people of Northern Europe to be SO
| favorable for invalids; but the worst posi-
BILE place for an invalid like Mr.. Raasloff
is the city Of Washington, and the worst
possible time for him to visit our great capi-
tai is while Congress is in session. Mr..
Raasloff is said to be one of the most ac-
complished of European diplomats. He is a
gentleman of great erudition, of varied accom-
plshments, and of most fascinating address.
| The people Of this country are much given to
lionizng, and in no part Of the country is this
penchant more fully developed than in the
city of Washington during the session of Con-
gress. If the War Minister should take up his
abode in that city he will be plunged into
sea of troubles, to the great detriment of his
efforts to recover his health. There are politi-
clans in Washington who are on the qui gioe for
the main chances. 1t is said that some of them
became such great bores to the Russian Minister
pending the purchase of Alaska in their unremit-
ted attention to his comfort that he was in great
danger of losing his mental equilibrium and that
in pure self-defence against the opportunities
of his new-found friends he was compelled to
close the bargain for the sale of Alaska upon
terms which must have cost him some twinges
ofconscience when he reflected upon the dis
position of the purchase money. Now we fear
that If the Danish Minister should take up his
abode in Washington it may be imagined that
his sovereign has some real estate to SELL in
which event the best thing he could do would
be to propose to the lobby to let them have the
entire management of all negotiations, pro-
vided his government shall receive In the end
shall pay for the Island Of Earthquakes, st.
Thomas. This would be very simple way to
relieve himself from all trouble. But 1t would
be far better that he should not 60 to Wash
ington at all, and that he should make his So
journ anywhere east of the Alleghanies as
brief as possible. The climate of our Western
prairies is extremely invigorating. If he will at
once set out for our great West he viii un-
doubtedly receive cordial welcome from the
gallant generals in command there. They will
afford him ample protection against hostile In
dians They will not embarrass him with any
suggestions about real estate speculations in