New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-12-30
TIE PORTE AND THE EUXINE.
THE FEARS OF THE PEOPLE OF CONsTANTINOPLE
ARMY EsTMATES-THE ROMAIC GEEEKs
OPPOSE RUSSIAN PRETENSIONS-DELAl N
a

ARMY ESTIMATES-THE ROMAIC GREEKS
OPPOSE RUSSIAN PRETENSIONS-DELAl N
PAYMENTS on TURKISH BONDS.
FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE
CoNsTANrINOPLE, Dec 6.-Since it has been
that the Porte accepts the proposal of Prussia to
submit the Russian question 10 Conference, with the
prOvisO that only the 18th article Of the Treaty Of Paris
that which limits the naval force Of either Power in the
EuXne-shall De discussed, the agitation which has
prevailed here has completely subsidized. The present
calm however, has neither more nor less reason IN il
than the previous alarm for the main point Of the
difficulty involving the future tranquility of the Otto
man Empire, remains IN allegiance, and the panic had
not s origin in that point Fear Of the Russians may be
said 10 De innate In every COn>tntinOpoltan-not
national fear Of the consequences 10 the country
Of a doubtful conflict with powerful adversary,
but personal fright, each trembling for his own
life or property in that presumed inevitable cose-
0uence OF n war with Russia-the bomhardmcnt Of Con-
santinople-whch supposed to be the end and aim Of
policy, the plus ultra of Muscovite amhi
ton Now 81 all events this bomhardment cannot take
place until the conference is over there nothing there
fore Immediately fear from n ~ fleet of rOn-clds
which, according to popular belief Russia has but on
the sly and hidden away in Of the rivers moreover
between this and the breaking up OF the Conference,
there is ample time to prepare the torpedo's when the
Porte has contracted for and 10 have them all in readiness
10 lay down at the mouth of the BOsphOrOus 10 moments
notice. should the penipotentare5 not arrive iat an
amicable understanding Meanwhile Winter i bringing
ice and for the Russians, with Rainazan Tor the
Mosem and carnival for every besides the mind
Of the Byzantine is tranquil again, and he prepares to
take his pleasure hunt mp Of those promising
little jobs which the requTencnlso the sevaskerat may
bring on the taps, as the case may be-.
with regard to the temper of the Porte there is EVIL
IDENTIFY strong desire for the maintenance Of peace,
based upon the conviction that conflict snge-handcd
with Russia wond prove a very trial TO the coun
try at the time, great confidence is felt IN the
present military strength and organization, that from
purely military point of view, there appears to be little,
if any, msgving the part Of the Ottoman Govern
ment and thus is said in welnfOrmed quarters that,
with only the financial assistance Of England, Turkey
would not finch from the encounter, il Russia pressed
her hand. But the real vital question to what de-
mands Turkey would would not resist, il is very diff
cult to arrive at any confident opinion. The
Porte cannot he unconscious Of the security which
the neutrality of the Euxine copfers upon the Empire,
and is perfectly satisfied with the provisions Of thu
treaty 10 stands therefore, it Is probable that it will
90 just far in resisting Russian demands England
gives support, and that the true Interpretation its
present calm attitude that 1t is desirable TO ascertain
precisely TO what extent that support may be counted
upon. when the Sultan was told that the Emperor
Alexander wished to have an irOncd feet in The Black
Sea, he answered in his grand Oriental way, BOuyou
roun"" He is welcome :" but this phrase may he as full
Of significance Lord Bureighs nod. Amid all this
doubt, however one thing is clear, viz that reliance
whatever is placed upon Austria. whose vacating
policy unstable water inspires only feelings Of pro-
found dstrust
one searches Turkish papers vain for some clue
to what independent Turkish opinion may he on the
present crisis There Is nothing 10 be found the sub
ject except exaggerated writing about the army and it,
equipment. The figures given-One journal talks OF an
effective army of million Of mcn-are more imposing
than Trustworthy There is rOundncss about the num-
bers which bespcaks random assertions The new mill
Pasha the present seraskier framed provide an
army Of 100000 regulars. For the purpose Of a police
whose duties in some Of the outlying prOvncesYcmen
for nstance-are somewhat arduous, 10000 men are
required IT, them the effective strength OF the differ
ent corps darmte be calculated at twothrds Of their
nominal strength, and the home force he deducted,
il leaves an available army Of $4,000 men, or
Whereabouts; and TO this must be added the Egyptian
contingent; which would be 500 strong at least and
the Tunisan contingent, which il estimated ut 10000
Then, irregular roOps-Bashi Bazouks-mght be organ.
lied, and indeed they form very prominent feature In
the newspaper estimates; but they could be scarcely
available in the early stages Of a campaign and judg
ing from the experience of the last very ques
ouable utility. OF the Greek journals that which rep
rcsents the highest intellect aud best feeling among the
Romaic Greeks treats the pretenOns OF Russia alto
gether inadmIssblea fact showing the change which
late years have wrought In the sentiments OF the
nifty. The Journal referred 10 is the which has
lhery sought 10 propagate among the ROInalC tGrcekD
section OF the populaon'a spirit Of patriotism and 10y
atty which, IL Is urged should animate them and their
Mussuman mel ghbors alike national grounds
10 both. The idea IA sufficiently praiseworthy but II is
to he amented that II should only have been turned
last Had the Romaic Greeks adopted such
policy forty years ago, aud adhered 90 H. the realza
ton of their great hopes might perhaps have been less
remote than II, is But IN seeking 60 foresta by
intrigue the advantages which superior intellect and eul
ture properly applied would inho ullnes- OF time have
secured their power has been frittered away and
its day is past.
30 much OF tho great question Of the day turns