The New York herald., 1870-11-14


the Sultan had been induced by the French
government to violate all the stipulatons of
the treaties between Turkey and Russia guar
anteeing the religious and social sec urity OF
the Eastera Christian populations.
In 1859, when Napoleon declared war upon
Austria, Russian aid was again applied for
and Eastern remuneration was offered. The
only thing required of Russia was to put
three hundred thousand men on the Prussian
frontier, so as to maintain Germany In mac
tivity. These offers were again refused, and
Napoleon was obliged to make peace at Villa
Franco.
In 1866, during the war between Prussia
and Austria, requests for help, and offers,
poured into st. Petersburg from all quarters !;
and if the Emperor Alexander had only been
less scrupulous and less decided in his policy
he could have made then brilliant bargain
To all the interested parties he opposed the
most resolute refnsals and rebukes, and said
that the only thing he wanted was general
peace.
Hardly year after that, when war was on
the very eve Of exploding between Prussia
and France on account of the Luxembourg
question, peace was maintained solely by the
active intervention of Russia.
So, too, in the present war Russia proved
again and again that she does not seek to bene-
fit by the European complications in order to
accomplish the views attributed to her in the
East.
Thaoa ~, historical f,c which cappot ho
contested, and there are but two conclusions
that can be deduced from them Either Rus
sia is weak, almost cowardly, unintelligent
Power--and this hypothesis will hardly be ad-
mitted by any sensible man in respect to
nation of eighty-two millions, compact and
united and ruled by an adored sovereign,
who gave freedom to twenty-five millions of
serfs-or Russia does not covet anything in
the East.
The questions then arise Why does she not
covet anything in the East and, What does
she want in the East? For nobody can doubt
that she takes deep interest in Eastern affairs.
These two questions are clearly and nationally
answered by Russian statesmen. Prince
Gortschakotf's celebrated memorandum on the
Eastern question, published in 1867 or 1868,
and addressed to the French government, ex-
pressed the real views Of the Russian govern
ment on that subject.
Russia does not want Constantinople, and
for this very good reason-that acquisition OF
territory in the South or East weuld destroy
her equilibrium. The conquest of Constanti-
nople would necessarily be followed by rush
to the South. All the heterogeneous extremities
of the Russian empire-Finland, Poland,
Siberia, Caucasus-would decay and wither
as the limbs of mans body when vitality is
withdrawn from them. In a word, it would
happen with Russia as it happened with the
Roman empire when Constantine removed the
capital from Rome to Byzantium. Russia
would be split at first in two and then into q
thousand fragments. National unity, great
ness, strength, all would be lost. These
reasons, fully appreciated by Russian states
men, are rational explanation why Russia
never did avail herself of the opportunities
offered to her to take Constantin nople.
The last question remains-what does
Russia want in the East That question has
been answered, with almost mathematical
precision, by formula emanating from the
great Chancellor, Prince Gortschakoff 1.-THE
East to the Eastern people, by the Eastern
people and for the Eastern people, but only to,
for and by them" That is, Russia wants the
legitimate proprietors Of the East gradually
developed, emancipated and formed into
groups already existing by their historical and
social elements. Russia does not want to see
England or France or any other Power taking
a foothold in those regions and, rather than
permit that, she will fight to her last man and
her last rouble. The war movement of Russia,
now reported, looks not to any extension of
territory at the expense of Turkey, but to
getting rid Of the shackles placed upon her
commercial and naval development by the
treaty of 1856.