The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-09-02
Our Relations with Turkey.

The very cordial manner in which the Sui
tan Of Turkey few days since received Ad-
miral Farragut, and the imperial compliment
to the United States, through the personal
favor extended to the Admiral, entirely unso-
licited by him, of permission for the flagship
Franklin, bearing the American Admi-
rails pennant, to pass through the OAR
danelles to the Golden Horn, suggests
few reflections on the relations Of
the United States to the Sublime Porte,
and the probable or possible effect of
the resolution of the Hon. w. ID. Kelley, of
Pennsylvania, introduced into Congress on the
9Th Of July, and passed before the adjourn
ment of that body, instrncting the President
to request of the Turkish government the re-
moval of all restrictions upon the free naviga-
ton of the Bosphorus or, in other words, to
request that vessels Of war of any foreign
Power shall be permitted to pass at will
through the Dardanelles into the Black Sea.
It is indeed remarkable, in view Of the i'm
portance of the resolution Of Mr.. Kelley, that
il should have received 80 little consideration
pending its passage, which can only be ex-
planned by the fact of its introduction at very
late period of the session, when the press of
legislative business might have prevented its
full discussion. The fact seems to have been
entirely ignored that the navigation Of the
Bosphorus by vessels Of war has been regu-
lated by the European Powers. The resolu-
ton of Mr.. Kelley was based upon the theory
of the common rights" Of nations, which is
not applicable to the present case.
In Europe it has been the habit of the enc
mics Of Turkey to manifest remarkable ia
cility in applying the most contradictory argu-
ments to explain or apologize for any move
ment detrimental to Turkish interests. On
one occasion, If it should better suit their
purpose, they ask of the Ottoman government
recognition of common rights" and on an
other they will insist upon the maintenance of
old treaty stipulations which are in direct con-
fct with common rights. But Americans
certainly, in discussing the affairs of the Orient,
have no inducement to lose sight either of
consistency or justice, as we have no wish to
make acquisitions in the East or mingle in the
diplomatic troubles Of the Old World where
neither our honor nor interest is involved. We
have nothing to gain by diplomatic wrangle
with Turkey, and there Is no reason why we
should not maintain the most friendly rea-
tons. The Sultan, on all suitable occasions,
has manifested his appreciation of our good
will. According to the telegraphic accounts
of his recent annual levee, when our Minister,
Mr.. Morris, appeared in plain evening dress in
accordance with the regulation of Congress,
his recs ption by the Sultan was so cordial and
friendly as to be generally remarked.
The question which the resolution Of Mr..
Kelley will open between the United States and
Turkey is one not likely to be disposed OF
simply by Congressional resolutions. 1t will
open a controversy in regard to vexatious
points which the great Powers of Europe have
sought to settle b. different treaties, and will
bring us into conflict, not simply with Turkey,
but with the international legislation of Eu-
rope. Even If Turkey could, consistently with
her policy, accede to our request SO far as we
are concerned, we could hardly expect special
favors not enjoyed by England or France, and
1t would be especially unbecoming in US to ask
for distinction In our favor by the very same
mail, we might say, which transmitted Con-
gressional resolutions of sympathy with re-
bellion against the Turkish government.
The honorable u preventative from Pcnnsyl-
vana cannot igncre tbe fact that the Black