The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-31
TURKEY AND GREECE.
Lord Stanley's Eastern Policy i'm Word and
Deed.

Lord StanIey's Eastern Policy I'm Word and
Deed.
From the Pail Mall Gazette, Dec. 1871
Echoing ruInor persists in attributing 10 Lord
Stanley's famous Lynn speech the sudden determi-
nation OF the Porte to pluck up spirit at last and
break once for all with its little tormenor Greece.
The existence OF such rumOr II no great reason for
believing it, but there is certainly some probability in
IT. 1t Is possible that 1t may contain core OF truth
for the practical meaning OF Lord SANKEY'S words
was clearly enough TO show the turks that they
must no longer look 70 us for any help IN Their di-
cuties Be that as 1t may, we are quite content to
find the main cause OF the Porte's somewhat tardy
manifestation OF spirit in the circumstance OF
with the completely OF the Greek government,
at particular time when II cannot have any
new roads and reviving cultivation In that 1nfor-
tunate island. With tins must be combined the re-
ported offensive conduct Of the Greek officials In the
island Of Agina towards the Turks who had char
tered an Austrian steamer for the transport OF
return, Cretan refugees. AS for Lord Stan
than even an unguarded reputation OF all
intention OF afordine any future single
Internal or quasi.internai troubles they would have
been so far real exposition OF his own very Judi
cious policy; and they would, at all events. have
very much treasured this natiOn-always, Of course
assuming him TO have previously ascerlained that
such public Reputation would not have embar-
partners in the Anglo French alliance at
Paris. AS there was considerable out
cry raised at Paris the receipt of Lord
Stanley's speech, presume that it was not found
very acceptable there, and on that account alone we
may venture TO call 1t njudicious. That it was SUI
premely njudicious, as seen from an Eastern point
OF view, we have already shown, for 1t wholly g-
nores the strong and valuable conservative ee-
ment among the Bulgarian and Armenian Chris
tians, and wantonly proclaims that henceforth any
rebellion, even though artcially planted from with
out, In Bulgarian Turkey must be the spontaneous
growth OF purely natural aspirations, thereby saving
his responsibility, but virtually setting pre.
MUM on q form OF Fenianism even worse than That
which we are accustomed TO in the case OF Ireland.
But 1t Is not FOR the purpose Of again anlmadvert-
Ing upon this unfortunate speech that we are now
referring to 1t; IL is In order to express regret
that Lord SANKEY'S Eastern policy was not allowed
to speak for itself by deeds. We are able to treat
OF the subject now without fear OF misinter-
probation There are no more elections or special
current occasions to improve In either sense; Lord
Stahley's deeds have long ago served their turn for
Improving the conservative occasion, and his words
be true liberal at heart That sort OF thing is well
got over now, and 1t is full time to enter into spe-
cal examination OF ms Eastern policy contrasting
1t, when necessary, with his own curlOusy unappre
cative exposition OF the same
Whatever else Lord SANKEY'S policy in Turkey may
be- most assuredly it is not reversal of the old Pal
merstonian policy, nor anything like one. No re-
versal of Lord Palmerston's policy such as support
OF Greece against Turkey Is possible for this coiin-
ministry attempt 1t. Lord Stanley's Turkish
policy may be characterized in two words
as one OF mastery negation, negatiOn OF that
old British single-handed ascendancy which was q
reality up to the peace Of 1855, but illusion
failures from the nation by veil OF some dexterous
and some. very coarse.textured diplomacy The
motive OF this ascendancy was excellent; but
1t was always mislnterprcted on the Continent, as
so much mere British territorial selIshness
and cupldity; so that, as matter OF fact cordial
European cooperation In the good work Of letting
Turkey alone and compelling others to let Turkey
alone was found impossible, and must have been
impossible from the necessity Of the case. France
would not endure English priority while England
would not brook French priority. Again, to the
Christians Of Turkey no higher political ideal was
empire where there was to be no oppression and no
disanecton and no bigotry, and also no ATTEMPT to
guide the inevitable and natural aspirations of the
various Christian races after increased freedom and
sefgovernment into direction In harmony with
Turkey and consistent with ITS integrity. While
the English nation, bitterly disappointed at the
fruilessness Of the Crimean war, grew dis
gusted with everything Turkish and became
belief to eyeryhng ant not snve n l
was alleged In justification OF Turkish rule but the
trite Old argument OF integrity" or else the I'M
were really not going on badly IN Turkey after all
No one seemed to think it worth while to point out
dnaG hitherto passive Christian population was
European Turkey, yet abstaining from all
disadecton. minding its own business, bding Its
own time, and still looking to Turkey for the fulfil
ment OF that time. Perhaps no one knew 1t then,
and it IS matter convenient TO ignore, the afore-
said people rs likely not to go by default and
be stampeded into rebellion. But, at any rate, dur
lug al THESE wears ihat We have been grambling and
~ gsae n ngaer or s o5
every word on behalf OF Turkey in natural
fear OF the prospect OF more b'oodshed and war APP
pretended TO lie at the bottom Of every such ar2u
mental this time the fact equally remains that no
advocate Of Turkey has ever appealed 10 the one
really unassaable ground on which his cause IL de-
fenslbe--the circumstance that the most numerous
and worthy or Its CHRISTIAN themselves look to
the attainment OF their own national life through Tnr
key and in concert Nth Turkey. Meanwhile Turkey
let TO scker than ever in public estimate all
the world over. While England was going through
divers forms of diplomacy IN weak ostensiDle sup
port Of the sick man France resoiutey undertook TO
work his case against russian interests on the
Russian diagnosis 4 his disease, and by doing in
tup HLlIl "A ~
tnelCdl Into real lluess.
When Lord Stanley came into power he found
France picking away al Turkey as usuaor, at best,
resting between two spells OF plckng-working, at
all events under tue astounding deluslon that 1t
possible TO create for herself special influence
in any community there which should be at once
an5l-rurkish ana anti-Russian Lord Stanley is now
leaving office with both France and Austria strenu-
ously ana even actively supporting turkey In coii-
mon. There Is no doubt that he has brought about
TINS desirable imitation OF sincere european con-
cert IN Eastern poicy by hls mastery negaton
OF all specially English acuon in such
questions IA have arisen rom time 10
time, such rs those OF Belgrade and Crete. II
Serya Is IN a true position since the surrender OF
Belgrade. and acts upon recognition Of that posi-
ton IL is ia great measure OWING 10 Lord STANLEY.
IL Western Europe In general has nc ZENITH found out
the iinposure Of tie alleged Cretan ma ssacres It IL
unluestionaby owing TO Lord staney's nrIii-
ness IN a6stainlng FROM participation IN
the transfer OF Crean families 10 Greece,
undertaken in the name Of humanity. These
families were perhaps rightly put out or harm
way; but 1t is wonderful commentary on Lord
SANKEY'S discretion foresight that BON the French
and the Austrans should have officially recorded the
fact that no massacres OF the Kind ever took place,
and that no Cretan refugee could lie found who
knew anything Of them except by htarsay. Lord
SANKEY'S policy in the East, be his own inter-
probation OF II what he chooses has been
admirably judicious. 1t has gone long way to
open the eyes Of Europe to the TACT hat so lar as
we are concerned, there Is such thing as the East
question IN Turkey Proper, and thatthe European
Powers must undertake to work 1t theif own way II
they must needs have AN Eastern question: term
which. as we have already said means nothing IN
Turkey Itself, but Is merely an expression FOR the
complex Of concordant or discordant European
opinion, policy intention ABOUT matters In Turkey.
LONG ISLAND INTELLIGENCE