Middletown transcript., 1868-01-11
Russia ana Turkey.

Russia and Turkey.
The leading diplomats of Russia recentlv
assembled at st. Petersburg by command
of the Car. Il wss conference in re-
llation 70 the present aspect of the Eastern
qaeHtions and me proper steps necessary
TO be taken By Russia in order to carry
out her lppg-eherished purposes in relation
to the effects Of the sick man." Rumor
declares that the ultimate result of that
meeting was determination on the part of
Russia to force -kranee and, the sother
Great Powers to assume some .well-defincd
policy with regard to tho afiaira Of Turkey,
Ihe Sultan has taken thel4 alarm aata thas
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
endeayoring 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 s25th
and 10th of November battle was fought
between the Christians and Turks, near
the village Of Laki, in which tha latter
were defeated with heavy loss The posi-
ton of the Suitahs Grand Vi2ier in Can
dia, in the midst VI the clainor Of arms
and the cry for liberty, becomes daily
more critical. The Creians esrieatureihis
effort to solve the contest between theCross
and the Crescent, by his copyoking
packed assembly, composed chiefly OF
Turks and renegade Ilevantines. The war
fever in the camp of the Christians has
received futhors impulse from the en-
thusasm evinced by the Cretan refugees
in Greece on the recent arrival of King
Gorge and the Queen Olga in Athens.
The insurgents or,revolutionists. will listen
to no compromise. They demand full and
entire separation and freedom from Turkey
and the rule Of, the Sultan, and an ineor-
poration with Greece as part of that
kingdom. In this demand they are evil
IDENTIFY strengthened by the advice of agents
OF the Russian government, Lara 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 Rusr
sia in relation to the affairs of Crete, but
whether that protest will be followed by
any cessation Of the acts complained of q
highly questionable. France cannot afford
to quarrel with Russia. at this time, when
the Roman question is open and Prussia
is looming mp in central Europe as q first
class military power. .I.. 81. ~ IN
But, in addition to the vexed and dis.
turbing questions arising out Of the affairs
OF -Cretes home -matters- are troubling the
Sultan, and calling for definite action ON
his part. Afefofm party has)sprung up
among the Turks, headed by Mustapha
Pasha, who demand thorough change in
many ofthe depaFtments iof. the jkingdom,
and advancement in unison with the spirit
Of the age. The old Turkish party are OPP
posed to any change or innovation on an
cient customs, and had they the power
would speedily annihilate steamers, rail-
ways, and telegraphs, with all other inven-
tions OF the g lnidel dogs. 'c& Young Tur-
key, on the contrary, is in favor of intro-
ducing all the modern European improve
ments into that country, and thus lifting
the people to play their part in the grand
drama which must shortly commences in
the Old World. The Sultansis endeayor-
ing to tread a middle path, He is strength
ening his army and navy, but in.the civil
| government no changes are made. Hence
the discontentment at home, which, added
to the war in Crete is threatening the very
existence Of the Turkish Empire in Eu-
rope ,....,..., ,.,.. b., -. 49,.
Russia holds the winning cards in her
game against Turkey, and must be success
ful IN the end, France will not interfere
in the Cretan difieulty, and should the
obstinate struggle W long, carried on ,iby
the Christians IN Crete end in their ebtain-
ing advantageous terms, the influence OF
their example might be very fnischievous
in otheriproyinces where the Christian ele-
mept- predominates. The Servians,, Bull
garians and Montenegrins of the Slayonio
race and Greek faith are greatly favored
by Russia They are all watching eager
ly the pros of the Cretar affair, and
the influence of Russia in that directions ia
as plainly apparent as in the island of
Gambia. Turkey may protest, but she il
in the fowler's net, and viii be bagged at
last 39af}'l7h Peg iii 2 .ii'i g. sSrn5'lE
| ik..fs;.! f signsief charester., ~ IN