Middletown transcript., 1868-01-04
Russia and Turkey.


of the Gear. 1t was conference in. re-
lation to the present aspect Of the Eastern
question, and the proper steps necessary
to be taken by Russia in order to carry
out her long-cherished purposes III relation
to the effects of the ''sick man." Runor
declares that the ultimate result of that
meeting was doternination on the partIof
Russia to force France and the other
Great Powers to assume some well-defined
policy with regard to the affairs OF Turkey.
The Sultan has taken the alarm at this
movement, and has addressed an urgent
note to the French government, protesting
against the action or intentions of Rus
sia, and stating that Russian agents are
endeavoring to excite revolt among the
Christian subjects of the Porte. Accom-
panying this note is vigorous and earnest
protest on the part Of Turkey against such
hostile and unfriendly action, or the least
connivance therein, on the part of Russia.
No action has yet been taken on this
note by Napoleon. At least no notice of
any has been made public. In the mean
time, affairs in Crete and Turkey are
becoming more complicated. On the 25th
and 26th of November battle was fought
between the Christians and Turks, near
the village of Laki, in which tina latter
were defeated with heavy loss. The posi-
ton of the Sultan's Grand Vizier in Cam
dia, in the midst Of the clamor of arms
and the cry for liberty, becomes daily
more critical. The Cretans carieature his
effort to solve the contest between theCrbss
and the Crescent. by his convoking a
packed assembly, composed chiefly OF
Turks and renegade Levantines. The war
fever in the camp of the Christians has
received futher impulse from the on
thusiasm evinced by the Crctan refugees
in Greece, on therece arrival of King
Gorge and the Queen Olga in Athens
The insurgents or rcvolutionists will listen
to no compromise. They demand full and
entire separation and freedom from Turkey
and the rule of the Sultan, and an incpr-
poration with Greece as a part of that
kingdom. In this demand. they are evi-
IDENTIFY strengthened by the advice ofagohts
of the Russian government, large numbers
of whom are known to be on the island
and in daily communication with the IN
surgent chiefs. Turkey has doubtless good
reason to protest against the action of III US
sia in relation to the affairs of Crete, but
whether that protest win be followed by
any cessation of the acts complained Of is
highly questionable. France cannot afford
to quarrel with Russia ut this time, VIXEN
the Roman question is open and Prus ssit
is looming UP in central Europe us a first
class military power.
But, in addition to the vexcd and dis.
turbing questions arising out of the affairs
of Crete, home matters. are troubling tho
Sultan, and calling for definite action Oh
his part. A reform party has sprung vi
among the Turks, headed by Mustaph;
Pasha, who demand thorough change il
many of the departments Of the kingdom,
and advancement in unison with the spiri
of the age. The old Turkish party are pp
posed to any change or innovation on IN
cient customs, and had they the powel
would speedily annihilate steamers, rPil
ways, and telegraphs, with all other inven
tions of the "lnfdel dogs" Young Tur
key, on the contrary, is in favor of intro
ducing all the modern European improve
ments into that country, and thus titttns
the people to play their part in the gstnc
drama which must shortly comnssnce in
the Old World. The SultaA ID endcavor-
ing to tread middle path. He is strength
ening his army and navy, but in the ctvi
government no changes are made. Hence
the discontentment at home, which, addet
to the war in Crete is threatening the very
existence of the Turkish Empire in Eu
rope.
Russia holds the winning cards in he
game against Turkey, and must be success
full in the end. France will not interter,
in the Cretan difficulty, and should tn,
obstinate struggle so long carried on b.
the Christians in Crete end in their obtain
ing advantageous terms, the influence @
their example might be very :ischicvp pui
in other provinces where the Christian ele
mcnt predominates. The Servians, Ibul
garians and Montenegrins of the Slavoni
race and Greek faith are greatly favdre
by Russia. They are all watching eager
ly the progress Of the Cretan affair, an
the influence of Russia in thht direction
as plainly apparent as in the island
Gambia. Turkey may protest, but she'i
in the fowler's net, and will be baggch u
last.
I