New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-09-15
DIPLOMACY IN TURKISH Affairs.

DIPLOMACY IN TURKISH AFFAIRS
New phases of the Eastern Question have
been displayed by the revolt in herzegovina.
At bottom it still consists of fear and jealousy
felt by other Christian Powers respecting hus.
sia's encroachments, and continual tendency or
Turkey to fall to pieces. But Russia, England
and France do not press their diplomatic inter-
ference on the Porte with the usual force,
while Austria is doing more than her
share of the work in a different way. Inc
nearly achieved independence of the Prlnclpal-
tiles makes encouragement from them more
important to the rebels Of Herzegovina than
the attitude of greater but more distant nation
alities. The politicians of Vienna, who do not
sympathize with those of Buda-Pesth in think
ing great Roumanian State carved out OF
Turkeys vitas would be desirable neighbor,
arc chiefly credited with the recent influences
brought to bear on the Servian and Montenegran
authorities, checking the hopes OF AID to the
rebellion from that quarter. Austrias anxiety
on the subject, is, after all, fear OF Russia. III
ever the effects of Turkey are administered
ON after the style of Poland, the paw OF the
Northern Bear may be expected to cover the
largest slice.
If the diplomatists of Europe had wished to
be in the prevailing fashion, they might prop
erly have held their centennial celebration last
year. The Eastern Question, on which the
genius of diplomacy has expended its choicest
efforts. may be dated from the treaty OF
KainarAi in IVA. That gave Russia
tie Fright to demonstrate In favor or
Greek Christians in Wallachia and Media
via. As years rolled on, this right became
Ru-sias most formidable instrument for weak
ening Turkey The Gar, as the head of the
Greek Church, exercised an influence over the
Christians in the DaIubian Principaiities, which
began with religion and ended in politics. In
all the diplomatic discussions on the Eastern
Question, this right stands ont as marked
feature Further concessions followed OH
its basis. An organic statute OF Turkey
in 1884 gave Russia the fright of protecto-
"laten in 1S49 the Convention OF Balta
I.iman granted the further right of armed
Intervention in favor Of Christians under
Ottoman sway. The assertion of the right to
protect the orthodox" precipitated the
Crinean war. The Treaty of Paris in 1886
at length checked this growing right. and fixed
its limits.
But though the entering wedge was thus
stopped in its progress, the ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF
Turkey still goes on, more slowly perhaps but
net less certainly. The revolt III Herzegovina
is the opening scene OF the first act i'll the
second century Of the Eastern Question. AS
heretofore. the smoke OF the conflict clears
away and reveals an assembly of diplomatlSts
reviewing the facts aud giving advice to the
Porte. There is no reason to expect that the
results OF their meeting at SerajeyO Will dilier
widely from the long roll OF previous occasions.
Nor even in the more elaborate meeting OF
the representatives of the signatures 10 the
Treaty OF Paris, Just called by Russia, Is there
Il prospect OF any essential novelty. Up TO
the date of the Crmean war, every treaty,
every conference on affairs between Russia and
Turkey simply marked step i'll the dOwnhlll
road of Ottoman rule. The increase OF taxes
corrected in ti,hes by the Turks, doubly OPP
prcssvc because of short crops was doubtless
the first cause of the revolt i'll herzegovina.
There is no reason for suppO,lnS That either
Russian or Austrian influence melted it, though
popular sympathy i'll Hungary must have
hcled to sustain the leaders. BIT tho repre-
sentatiycs of Russia, Austria and France, at
Gelaicyo, are heard of only as recommending
reforms which the Porte is ever ready to
meeting Of the signataiy Powers will evolve
much more, may well be doubted. The disin-
tesrniion of Turkey will still proceed.
Englands attitude at SerajevO az reported,
i, curious. but not inconsistent with the policy
of later years, by which control in European
politics slips through her fingers. Long the
firm friend of Turkey, Great Britain has only
failed at intervals to support her, such as
during the early part of the First Napoleon's
wars, and when popular sympathy gave aid to
struggling Greece. Possibly the fact that the
benefit to Russia in this instance Is
very remote, may help to explain the
present indifference Of England a hint that
herzegovina needs emancipation appearing In
The London Times, is regarded as significant.
The British Ambassador seems to take no in
terest in the convention at Serajevo, except to
advise the Porte that it would be well to ac-
cept tie propositions issuing thence. Perhaps
a more decided stand may DO taken at the
meeting of Signatures. Bat the immediate
fate of Herzegovina will be decided rather
by the vigor of the revolt or the
force of Turkish arms, than by the wiles of a
diplomacy principally expended in restraining
tho aid and moral support of neighboiing
provinces. Whenever Herzegovina is ripe
within herself for freedom, neither the scimetal
of the Crescent nor the letters OF Christian
allies can hold her permanently i'll subsection.
| ----------------
Ever since the Ring days of msrulc the transfers
Of real estate in this city have been furnished TO the
daily papers other than THE TRIBUNE from unohi-
| o;ol aourcea There ~ Oucstion that until IUY