The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-10-07
The Question d,Orlent.

| The Qnesnon G'OrIent, 80 long the problem
of diplomacy and SO often the pretext of wars
and rumors Of war, offers new phase in the
| question recently raised by Mr.. Kelley in Con-
gress concerning the free passage of the OAR
danelles and the Bosphorus. A communica-
ton which appeared in the HERALD on Satur-
day gave an Ineligible analysis of the ele-
ments of Mr.. Kelley's question, and an interest
ing history Of the recognized right of the Porte
to absolutely forbid the passage Of any foreign
vessel of war and to levy toll on merchant
vessels of all nations. The closing Of the
Dardanelles and the Bosphorus to all foreign
vessels of war and the levying of toll on all
merchant vessels were among the restrictions
which Turkey placed on her extraordinary
concessions to England and France and subse-
quently to Austria and Russia, in the midst of
her most brilliant conquests, when all Europe
was trembling with apprehensions of being in
| vaded by the conquering Sultans. Another
restriction, which, however, has been lately
removed, prohibited the possession or acquisi-
ton by Europeans of territorial property on
Turkish soil.
Now, the United States government has only
q commercial treaty with Turkey, and has
never signed the treaties between the Ottoman
government and certain Powers Of Western
Europe-treaties which confirm both the i'm
munities formerly granted to some Of the
great European States by the Sultans and also
the restrictions imposed by them. The political
relations Of our government with Turkey are,
therefore, similar to those of Belgium, Holland,
Denmark, Greece and other second class Eu-
ropean Powers that enjoy by tolerance those
immunities and are subject to those restrictions.
American citizens resident In Turkey are al
lowed the right of consular jurisdiction, ex-
emption from taxes and licenses, the uni
formity Of duties on our merchandise that pays
only six per cent on entry, and numerous
other privileges. On the ground that we have
| signed no political treaty with the Ottoman
empire Mr.. Kelley urges our right to claim all
the privileges without submitting to any Of the
restrictions of treaties the stipulations Of which
have been admitted and accepted by the Eu-
ropean Powers. II is true that our govern
ment is at liberty to renounce the advantages
accorded to its citizens resident In Turkey, and
at the same time to decline the obligation Of
submitting to the accompanying restrictions.
| But our correspondent insists that it ought
then to take the initiative in considering Tur-
key as absolutely independent and in treating
with her on conditions Of the strictest recipro-
city In all matters ofpolitical and international
right. ''Then, and only then" he adds, ''can
the government of the United States demand
of the Porte in the hope ofbeing listened to, the
overthrow Of the barriers that at this momen,
prevent Admiral Farragut and his squadron
from visiting the ruins of Scbastopol or even
| those of Snope without hindrance."
The recent courteous and friendly reception
Of Admiral Farragut by the Sultan ha:
strengthened the good feelings subsistng be.
tween Turkey and the United States. The
numerous and important reforms that have
lately been inaugurated in Turkey, as well as
our rapidly multiplying commercial relations
with its population Of thirty millions, who offel
MS new and vast market for our productions,
have the same tendency. There is no good
reason why the American should inherit the
medieval prejudices and hatreds of Western
Europe against the Turk. The many noble
traits Of the Turk have been recognized ever
by his worst European enemies. HE has,
testifies an American traveller In Turkey, "a
substratum of honesty and integrity which
even his enemies must admire-a dignity and
noble independence which contrast strongly
with the low cunning of the Greeks and thu
servility of the Bulgarians.' What could b.
more noble and generous than the response o.
the late Abdul Medjid to the naughty demand
Of Russia and Austria for the surrender of the
Hungarian refugeesa "What, then, will be.
come Of the ancient hospitality Of the Ottoman
Porte2 The laws Of the Koran and th,
convictions of my own heart forbid mt
to give them up. whatever may b