The New York herald., 1870-11-25

courteous note the nullity of the treaty of 1856,
and the resolution of the Russian government
no longer to observe the stipulations of that
treaty in regard to the Black Sea. Tories and
wings rival each other in abuse of the Russian
people, whom they characterize as barbarians,
Asiatics and enemies of the human race.
Our English cousins always take pleasure in
attributing coarse manners to Americans, and
neglect no opportunity of telling us that the
American people and their newspapers are ILL
taught and rude, having no idea of the refine
ments of English politeness. Without pre-
tending to the aristocratic delicacy of high life
in London, and while admitting that we are in
the habit of expressing our ideas freely and
sometimes vigorously, we must say that no
American journal has ever poured out such a
food of abuse as has recently been directed by
the English press upon nation Of eighty mil
lions of people, and upon sovereign deserv-
ing the esteem of all men as being the liberator
of twenty-three millions of serfs, the founder
Of fifteen thousand schools and the creator Of
fourteen thousand miles of railroad.
So much for the form now for the substance
of the question. Let us see what it is. In
order to ascertain the nature of dispute it is
necessary to understand exactly what the par
ties to ii desire.
We have recently stated that which Russia
desires in the East, and Prince Gortchakoff's g
despatch to Lord Granville only confirms eur
view. What she desires is the emancipation
Of the Christian populations, the East for the
Eastern people and by the Eastern people and
only for and by them. The very natural and
legitimate desire of Russia to become again
free in the Black Sea does not at all contra
dict the programme. 1t is even quite proba-
Bile that while aiming at no territorial acquisi-
ton Russia still reserves to herself the right to
claim back the slice of territory taken from
her on the Bessarabian frontier by the treaty
Of 1856.
But what England aims at, on the other
hand, is the absolute, irrevOcable maintenance
of the Eastern status qua. the exploitation
aud perpetual oppression of fifteen millions of
Christians by two millions of Mussulmans-
sacrifice, in fine, Of progress, humanity and
civilization to that which the narrow minded
and egotistical policy of the Cabinet Of St.
James, following the Palmerstonian traditions,
calls the mercantile interests Of England.
And what is the Eastern status quo which
England makes such efforts to maintain? We
will show what it is by proofs emanating not
from Russian sources, nor from American
sources-which might be accused of partial
ity-but from sources essentially British, for
they are taken, word for word, from reports
sent to the Foreign Office by her Majesty's
Consuls. and which reports are published in
the Blue Book submitted to Parliament in
1867.
Mr.. Cumberbatch, English Consul to
Smyrna, wrote to the Foreign Office the
Goth Of March, ls67:-"With few exceptions all
the administrative Offices are occupied by
Mussulmans. The public schools are accessi-
BILE only to Turkish children. In the interior
the evidence of Christians is not admitted in
the courts, and, in fact, a Christian never OBJ
tains justice in civil or criminal proceeding.
Torture is not absolutely practiced, but Chris
tians are frequently imprisoned for months
without being tried. The prisons are inde-
filthy and ill-ventilated, and the
prisoners are crowded in them pell-mell,
with very little to eat Several of them have
never committed the crime of which they are
accused, and have been incarcerated on the
most ridiculous charges or upon unjust sus-
picion."
Mr. Sankey, English Vice Consul at Kus-
tendji, wrote to Lord Lyons, then Ambassa-
dor at Constantinople, under date Of April 1,
1867, as follows :-'If the measures promul-
gated by the Turkish government for the pro-
lection of the Christians were properly carried
out they might be able to establish sort Of
equality between Christians and Mussulmans
but, whatever may be the intentions Of the
government, those measures are evaded and
deprived of all effect. Before the tribunals, if
a Turk is a party, plaintiff or defendant, the
evidence of Christian is not admitted; and
every raya (Christian), were he even to pro-
duce fifty witnesses, is obliged to purchase the
testimony Of two Mussulmans-whichi is daily
into prison, without any form of interrogatory
or trial, at the caprice of the local authori-
ties, for any period they may choose. sim.
pie police sergeant, who bends and bows in
presence of the Muddir (Chief of Police),
becomes tyrannical satrap as soon as he is
sent on duty into o Christian village He
lodges in the best houses, insists upon the best
fare, and levies contributions to his hearts
content. So much for the administration Of
Justice in favor Of the Mussulmans."
Mr. Skene, English Consul at Aleppo, wrote
to Lord Lyons, under date of April /,
l867:-''Trade is in state of stagnation.
Agriculture is paralyzed. General poverty
prevails in all classes OF society. A general
decline has thus set in; and yet all the energy
of the government seems to be directed