The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-01-18
The Eastern Quc.tion-Ominous signs.

Our cable dispatches regarding the situation
in the East Of Europe justify the fears which we
expressed some days ago. The breach be-
tween Russia and Turkey widens more and
more. According to o Russian journal of some
official authority the Sultan has boon urged to
"make extensive naval and military prepare
lions In the Mediterranean" and Russia explains
her meddling policy In Turkey by the state
ment that she desires no extension OF territory,
but Is concerned for the safety Of the Christian
subjects OF the Porte.
Our news for some time past has been quite In
keeping with this view OF the situation. A letter
which we published In yesterdays HERALD,
| from the pen Of our special correspondent at
COnstantinople, shows that the Ottoman gov
eminent has been and still Is manifesting
willingness to satisfy the reasonable demands
of its Christian subjects, but thai Russia
remains as exacting and unreasonable as
ever Russia in fact, in the interests Of
the Christian subjects Of the Sultan, has both
intrigued and dictated, and her dictaton has
been as incautious as her intrigue has been i'll
disguised. The policy Of England has been as
key as that Of Russia has been In seeking its
destruction. After some shifting about on the
part of Austria and France-France particu-
larly-it may now be taken for granted that
the old coalition Italy, of course, is excepted)
against Russia and in favor Of Turkey is COM
pleted The Western Powers have, however,
been as liberal in rendering advice to Turkey
l,a t. IL.
long, we may rest assured, as the Porte mani
tests disposition to prof. By the advice ten
dered so long will the Western Powers stand
by 1t.
The question as between Russia and the
Western Powers in relation to the affairs
of the East l., to large extent, q legacy
left by the Crimean war. II might have
been better for all parties II that war
had never taken place. 1t was Russia, how.
ever, and not the Western Powers, that
provoked that war; and if the former suffered
defeat and humiliation she had herself to
thank. But defeat and humiliation do not
necessarily uproot ideas. Russia was not less
convinced after the Crimean war than she was
before 1t that it was her destiny to march upon
and to establish the seat of her government In
Constantnople. 1t was merely o question OF
time, and her purpose to accomplish her des-
tiny was decpened rather than otherwise by
the temporary check. We do not say
that the time has yet come when
the crescent on the dome of St. Sophia must
yield up its place to the cross Our opinion,
rather, Is tina. Il has not yet come. In an
encounter at the present moment with the
Western Powers, who are in honor bound TO
defend Turkey, the probability is that Russia
would be again worsted. We are not tho less
convinced, however, that the time is coming
when Russia will find her opportunity and
when Constantinoplc, directly or indirectly
will fall into her hands.
In considering this Eastern question II must
always be borne In mind that Russia repre-
sents principles which are progressive, and
that Turkey represents principles which are
rctrograde, and that, In the very nature Of
things, the principles represented by Russia
must in the end bear away tho palm Of victory.
| II must also be borne In mind that two-thrds Of
the population Of Turkey in Europe are Chris
tian, most Of whom are Of the Greek Church, Of
which Russia is the natural and acknowledged
protector. 1t Is impossible that four millions
OF Mussumans should continue to lord II over
eleven millions Of Christians. The disparity in
numbers, an well as ia thoughts and feelings,
between the governing and the governed
classes, Is too great for such state Of things to
continue. Sooner or later Turkey in Europe
must come under Christian influence Russia
insists upon It, and il Russia plays her cards
well the time il not far distant when the
! Western Powers will relax their opposition.