Middletown transcript., 1868-01-11
! Russta and Turkey.


The leading diplomats Of Russia recently
assembled at st. Petersburg by command
of the Czar. 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 in relation
to the effects of the '.sick man" Rulnor
declares that the ultimate result of that
meeting was determination on the part of
Russia to force France and the, other
Great Powers to assume some well-de6ned
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 a battle was fought
between the Christians and Turks, near
the village of Laki, in which thal latter
were defeated with heavy loss. The posi-
ton of the Sultans Grand ,Yizicr in Cam
dia, in the midst Of the. clamor of arms
and the cry for liberty, becomes daily
more critical. The Cretans caricature his
effort to solve the contest between theCross
and the Crescent, by his convoking o
packed assembly, composed chiefly of
Turks and renegade Levantines. The war
fever in the camp Of the Christians has
received a futher impulse from the en-
thusiasm evinced by the Crctan refugees
in Greece, on the recent arrival of King
Gorge and the Queen Olga in Athens
The Insurgents or revolutionists viii listen
to no compromise. They demand full and
entire separation and freedom from Turkey
and the rule of the Sultan, and an incor-
poration with Greece as part of that
kingdom In this demand they are evi-
IDENTIFY strengthened by the advice of agents
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 Rus
sia in relation to the affairs of Crete, but
whether that protest will be followed by
any cessation of the acts complained of Is
highly questionable. France cannot afford
to quarrel with Russia at this time, when
the Roman question is open and Prussia
is looming up in central Europe as a first
class military power.
But, in addition to the vexed and dis
turbing questions arising out of the affairs
of Crete, home matters are troubling the
Sultan, and calling for definite action ON
his part. A reform party has sprung up
among the Turks, headed by Mustapha
Pasha, who demand thorough change in
many of the departments of the kingdom,
and advancement in unison with the spirit
of the age, The old Turkish party are OPP
posed to any change or innovation on an
eient customs, and had they the power
would speedily annihifate steamers, rail-
ways, and telegraphs, with all other inven-
tions Of the lnfdel dogs" Young Tur-
key, on the contrary is in favor of intro
ducing al. the modern European improve
ments into that country, and thus fitting
the people 10 play their part in the grand
drama which must shortly commence in
the Old World. The Sultan is endeayor-
ing to tread middle path. .Heis 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 Eur
rope.
Russia holds the winning cards in her
game against Turkey, and must be success
full in the end. France will not interfere
in the Cretan difficulty, and should the
obstinate struggle SO long carried on by
the Christians in Crete end in their obtain
ing advantageous terms, the influence Of
their example might be very mischievous
in other provinces where the Christian ele-
ment predominates. The Seryians, Bull
lgarians and Montenegrins Of the Slavonic
race and Greek faith are greatly favored
by Russia. "a They are all Watching eager
ly the progress of the Cretan affair, and
the influence of Russia in that direction is
as plainly apparent as in the island of
Gambia. Turkey may protest, but she is
in the fowler's net, and will be bagged at
last tf-ft.'t''@ asa .=e q. ~
t A Mississippi paper notices a change,