The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-09-19
Europe and the Turks.

1t has long been the boast of Europe
That the several political States OF that
continent form a solidarity, in which,
while each is absolutely independent
md sovereign as to its own autonomy,
all are combined for mutual aid and good
offices in case of unwarranted aggres-
sion by either. 1t is by virtue of this
recognized European SYSTEM" de-
voted to its own perpetuation by pre-.
serving what. has long been known as
the Hbalance of power" that the smaller
European States, as Portugal Greece,
Belgium, or Switzerland, maintain their
political Independence undisturbed by
any Of the "Great Powers" whose avar-
Ice or ambition might prompt them TO
swallow up and absorb the weaker
States.
Under the operation. of this European
system, it is obligatory upon the sew.
eral States, or, nationalitles, to yield
conformity to the public, or .lntema-
tional law, which. is recognized as reg
ulating, the respective rights and dutie
existing, between Independent sover-
eighties. And in case of non-conform-
ity with this public law OF Europe on
the4part of any sovereignty whatever,
and mis- chief or danger arises therefrom,
the other Powers Of this solidarity, this
league of nations, are warranted and
REQUIRED to enforce observance of the
great law Of the league, even to the ex-
tent of armed Intervention and coef-
cion.
But, in Southeastern Europe areithe
Provinces and yassal States of an Ash
attic pptentate, under whose sway they
have been held as conquered territory
for some four hundred years. This is
''1'urkUy in Europe" In those States
Of Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Ser.
via, insurrection has been organized
and revolution attempted. War be-
tween them and the Turks has been the
result. In the prosecution of that war
the most revolving atrocities have been
committed by the Turks that ever lent
horror even to savage warfare. Every
principle of that public law that binds
civilized states together and regulates
that European System has been ruth
IesslY violated blythe Turks in this pres
eatwar upon Christian people with
ln the borders OF Europe.
And now the question OF intervention
foR4 the 8 prevention of these trightlul
crimes and cruelties is pending before
theoE European. governments. Theswon-
der would be that there, SHOULD be hesi-
tatidn on this question. And the greater
wonder is that this hesitation should be
most conspicuous in the nation claiming
ID be. the most refined and ChTistianized
ln Europe, in.Ehgland. 1t is but just,
however, to- state that, this hesitancy in
putting. forth. the handiof powerto stay
hese.atrocities, peFPetrated in defiance
VI public law, is NOT attributable to the
English people, They are indignant,
lImostywrathful, at theipueriie policy OF
their Ministry; and are uttering, their
condemnation ip, tones. that indicate
even. a. change of their0 Ministry, ii
necessary, tovindicate their adherence
pf these ontrages committed upon the
helpless and the unOffendingd The
problemisone reaching infinitely beyond
all questions OF mere commercial pru-
dence as betweenriYal nations, and ad-
dresses itself to common humanitylahd
TO the very essence OF civilization:
When any people are once aroused upon
issues such as those, Governments must
hear and Ministers must obey.
The Turks are in Europe, ruling over
some Of its widest and richest provinces.
They are amenabIe to European law as
n member of that confedeFatiEe system.
and now Europe must teach them the