New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-01-24
THE DAEUBIAN PRINoIPALITIES,


gests and causes to be put into execution.
THE DAEUBIAN PRINCIPALITIES.
Since the close of the Crimean war,
which arose out of the desire of Emperor
Nicholas, of Russia, to extend his domi-
mons and to obtain the control of the
Black sea and the Bosphorus, there has
been considerable interest and much
diplomacy manifested by the powers i'm
mediately interested in the securing the
trade and commerce of the country known
as the Danubian principalities. This coun-
try is partly under vassalage to Turkey,
and the government and people are under
what is called protectorate, in which
England has q share on account Of the
trade which she is allowed to carry on
there. Much dissatisfaction has been felt
by Russia and Austria at the favoritism
of the Turkish government shown toward
England in giving the monopoly Of the
trade Of these principalities to her, to the
exclusion of other nationalties. The sys-
tenn pursued by the Porte of closing its
frontiers and those of these vassal States
to the continental markets has been very
advantageous to the English trade, and on
this account the monopoly has been en-
joyed by the English traders owing to its
command of the seas. The triple ALI
ance under which the war was made
NJ, I'D I,rr n
triple alliance made between Russia,
Austria and the German Empire, by
which the two former hope to produce a
result in depriving England of her power
and influence over Turkey, and securing
that trade of these vassal principalities
which mas been to her q source of consid-
cradle revenue. Formerly, when the
Crimea was invaded by Russia, England,
France and Italy were in a position to
control and regulate the affairs of the
East, from which England derived the
largest benefit. Now, however, the num-
Der OF the powers insisting upon the
maintenance of the Turkish status quo, and
who had an interest in such maintenance,
has diminished. france has her own
troubles, and is without the man of des-
tiny to interfere in foreign complications,
and therefore IS out Of the field. Italy has
her hands full at home with measures of
finance and inward security. England
isolated, and without the cooperation of
such allies as those named, could scarcely
hope to intrigue against the combination
which Russia has secured. Austria is
devoting herself to her commercial inter
ests on the Danube without the fear OF
that opposition which at one time she was
sure to meet in that direction. Germany,
without any direct interests of her own to
serve, has been working Loyalty in har-
mony with Austria and Russia out of sheer
gratitude to the latter As for Russia her
self, the head centre and animating spirit
of this alliance she is firm in her resolu-
ton to protect her co-religionists whose
lot is cast among the Musselmen, actu.
ated, as always, by her anxiety to promote
their material as well as their moral good,
she cordially gives her support to a move
ment which tends to develop the well
being of the Christian principahties Of
the Danube, and ultimately absorb a por.
ton of the territory now under the con.
troll of Turkey in the already vast domi.
mons of the Russian empire. The move.
ment on the part of Austria in relation to
the trade Of these municipalities as against
the interests of England, naturally drew
Turkey and England closer together, and
when the coalition of the three continent
al empires reduced the power Of the
Porte to a shadow, Turkish statesmen
sought the friendship Of England more
eagerly than ever. AustTo- Hungary lying
contiguous to these provinces, perceivine
that a closer and more direct eommuni
cation with these vassal principalities OF
the lower Danube was Of vital importance
for the development Of her trade, be
gan 10 take measures to seeuse thiI
object. The Porte regarded thil
1 sudden change in the traditiona
policy Of its neighbor as the first step to-
wards the total destruction Of the Otto
man power in Europe, and it accordingl!
took up an attitude Of rigid opposition b
Austrian designs, which were the maxim,
Of commercial conventions with the au
thogiHes nOminally governing shes
municipalities. In this opposition Tur
key was supported by England, il beini
the interest Of that government TO proven
any other power from finding a narke
for its goods in the East It was thei
hopsd that the united sorceSos The tw'
States would be sufaoiena to ayertsth
danger a Austria getting the Trade .
these vaasal States into her hands. I
Is said that these psinsipaliiiss have
I n =