The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-12-12
THE QUESTION or THE EAST.


Russian Press Comments on Earl GraRville,s
Note.
Lord Granvilles reply to Prince Gortchakor is
made the subject Of The following comments In the
st. Petersburg semi orcial Golos OF November "a:
The warliKe excitement kindled in the English
and Austrian press by the circular note of our
Foreign Minister ~ another proof that Europe can
moi rid herself OF the suspicion with which she has
no long looked on oar Intentions with regard to
Turkey. No step can We take in the affairs Of
the East without former Jealousles being reused
against US in all their ancient vlgcr and
Prince Gortchakoff that his IMperal Majesty the
Ozar has wish to revive the Eastern question: bnt
In this IS In every other instance Is desireus to pro-
mote and consolidate peace has been impotent to
convince public opinion In Western Europe. NOW,
ever pco lie ascribe to ms the fantastic intention
Of conquering Constantnople, sublecting the Medi-
teiranean TO rulel and debating laws to the civil
I2ed lands Of the West The Cabinets OF Vienna
aDd 81: James the circular OF Prince GortchaX0r
IN a most uncharitsble light. However temperate
and reserved his language, Lord Gran
Vile expresses himself with sunicient energy
against cur setting aside treaty without obtaining
the consent OF The Powers who have signed Il, or
directly or indirectly Interested in It, The Brit
ish Ministry, and with II, we must admit, nearly the
whole Of the European press look upon the step
taken by our Cabinet from the abstract STANDPOINT
of international law ana therefore energetically
protest against the method we have adopted for
modifying one OF is clauses. Exclusively empha-
sizing the question: OF international law ana sacri-
Bcing, It would seem, the treaty Itself, Lord Gran
VILE informs that he would not, perhaps, have
objected TO remodel the agreement in question
sgnatory Powers on the eypeaency OF change.
However dark the clouds gathering the political
horizon, IL does not foiiow that thunderstorm
need burst forth II IS, after ALL quite natural that
England aud Austria our rivals IN the East, should
have been irritated by our circular, the more so
they had no mixing OF II. But we confidently trust
they win soon look more calmly upon the matter,
and perceive that to make II cosits beit would be
very disadvantage5us to themselves Not to speak
other drawbacks, 1t is certain thut by declaring
war against Russia they would Tie their hands at .
time when tney might wish 70 interfere
VII hpfv Wa md Isppf.
IN which they are SO materially interested. For
England and Austria TO open hostiiites against
would be 10 benent Prnssa-a result which they
WILL be hardly anxious TO promote, haying iattery
become more and more hostile 70 that Power.
What, however ought principally 10 make Aus
tria and England wish for an amlcabe settlement "a
the fac! that, even after recovering her right to
protect her shores by a meet RUSSIA cannot exercise
the same ascendancy IN the East a. formerly. Hav-
Ing long vigIiantly observed the progress CT events
IN Turkey, tnsse two Powers must he aware
that even could we succeed In abrogaTng
the Whole treaty, instead OF single clause OF n, "
would tase us generations 10 regain ne t1ytaeace
zoe possessed BEFORE the Cr'tne7n ,ca,. They cannot
but know that our government not only adhered to
the treaty stipUlatlons or 1855 as conscientious
y ~ possible. but OF us own accord and ever
cur naval establishments IN the Black Sea, which
had cost us immense sums, and'would require some
twenty years TO render them what they were be-
fore. Only four years have elapsed since we broke
mp shpyards 81 Sickolaiefi, so long the adInra-
without shipyara and docks Is there any one who
after this seriously entertain the thought that,
having hoaorably acquitted themselves OF their OBJ
ngatlons for period Of fifteen years. our govern
ment should &c suddenly seized with AMBITIOUS de-
Signs and intent upon reacquiring their former
Rscendancy IN the ORIENT II we had really such
object in view should We not have taken the pre-
canton OF obtaining ships Tor the protectioa Of our
southern coasts II rot against the western Meets,
nj least against Turkey, before resuscltatng the
Md quarrel about tue East? IL would have
been very easy TO procure sufficient
squadron Tor this purpose. But we have
rcfrained from doing anything OF the kind. Eng
land and Austria Ought 10 take into consideration
that we have no such neet In the Black sea, and
that al present II " physically Impossible TO US,
without Turkish consent, 10 get one through the
Daraanees and the Bosphorus, whose batteries
would reduce 70 fragments the strongest vessels in
the world. In The present state OF our naval de-
fences on the Black Sea- the Turkish feet alone
would suffice 20 infict the greatest injury on our
shores and commerce, without our being able to
make reprlsas.
Under these circumstances neither Austria nor
Great Britain mas reason To lock upon Prince
siortchakoors circular Nv announcing q turn Of