The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-27
RUSSIA'S CELESTIAL AMBITION.
England's Interests in the East To
Be Respected.
THE FL0WERY KINGDOM IN DANGER.
Interesting Interview with a Russian NplO-
matist by Herald Correspondent.
[BY CABLE TO THE nERALD. ]


ST. PETERSBURG, May g. 1877.
Your correspondent had an interview recently
with prominent Russian diplomat. whose name,
for certain cogent reasons, am not at liberty TO
disclose. 1t will be seen that the Russian Official
makes some startling assertions
RussIA's INTENTIONS AND AIMS
Upon my asking whether Russla's Intentions
were really as dlsinterested as she had announced
in her several circular notes addressed to the Pow
crs Of Europe, was told that Russia Intended to
redeem her pledge as far as the aggrandize-
ment Of territory went, but that, should she
prove victorious, there was no reason
to doubt that she would insist upon the in
dependence OF the different tributary States
namely, Bulgaria. Herzegovina, Roumania, Servia
and Bosnia, and she would guarantee these provin-
ces their independence, no matter against what
Power. In other words she would form defensive
and offensive alliance with these liberated terri
tories.
THE FATE OF coNsTANTINoPLE.
Upon my asking whether Constantinople, in the
event OF Russia gaming decisive victories would be
occupied by Russia, was informed that long be-
fore an army could be brought in front of the walls
OF Constantinope peace would be made. The
terms OF peace, beside those spoken Of above
would perhaps include the surrender, on the part
OF Turkey, OF portion Of her fleet, and above all
the consummation OF treaty placing the city
OF all the foreign Powers. Up to this
time cosmopolitan city has been frequently talked
OF and several theories been brought forward for
its government, but 1t has never been practically
tried. On Constantinoplc, then, II my informant
is correctly ADVISED the first attempt will be made
The city will probably be garrlsoned by troops
OF a neutral Power, while its virtual gov.
eminent will be invested IN a Legislative and
executive body Of men composed OF different ma
tionalltes and, perhaps, a tax or tribute will be
paid to the Ottoman Empire The plan in itself is
feasible and one which has often been spoken or
without having seriously been advocated. should
the attempt to make Constantinoplc cosmopolitan
city, and, consequently, free port, succeed, the
advantages accruing to all nations would be i'm.
mense.
TICKLING JOHN BULL.
England would be the greatest gamer byit; hence
there is very little danger that she will oppose the
scheme. England need never lear, continued my
informant that Russia will ever attempt to jeop-
ardize her trade in India nor ever try to deprive
her OF one inch oil her Indian territory. 1t would
be- In the frs, place, absolutely impossible to send
sufficient force Of men to defeat the English
troops aided, as they would be, by the natives.
Hannibal may have crossed the Alps but certainly
no Russian general with his army will ever cross
the IIima.aya Mountains. And even could this
difficult undertaking be accomplished ana India
conquered the force which would have to be en-
ployed to keep that country In subjugation would
be so enormous that 1t would more than counterfeit
the benefits derived from It's acquisition especially
as the Muscovitc government Is not favorab.y
looked upon by the Mohammcdan population.
WHAT RUSSIA WANTS.
No, Russia has no intention OF advancing into
India. Her ambition is to become the master and
possessor OF part OF the Celestial Empire. Toward
this end all her inroads into Asia are directed.
China, with all its resources as yet untouched with
/
mineral resources with its highly appreciated
manufactures, all these offer TAR more temptation
TO Russia than the almost exhausted India. And
how easy Of access to Russia. With Turkestan
as her vassal or tributary State she
can transport her troops to whatever
part Of the frontier OF the Chinese En-
pire my he most advantageous and no power
can prevent her from helping herself 10 as much
territory as she desires. With Constaninople u
free or national port and China intersected by rail-
.mcrce.
All SIN TO BE GoBBrED Ut.
II is true that there Is large population OF Mo-
hammcdans in China; that the country Is thickly
populated that 1t can put into the field an
almost unlimited army, but 1T must be taken
into consideration tnat the Chinese are not q
warlIke people; that they very poorly armed
and have leaders or generals All OF these facts
were demonstrated in 1860 In the war Of Formosa,
ana stlll later IN the Corean campaign. Nor would
1t be the interest Of England TO oppose Russian
advance into China, for naturally a great amount
of trade would find It's way to her Indian scaporls,
and though Russia may be more dangerous neigh
Dor than china; stilI she would certainly provo her
self more profitable one.
THE MrsCOvITE PLAN.
In my opinion, therefore, Russia, In making war
upon Turkey, has q two-fod object First, by her
advance into Asia TO gain the right OF way and pas
sage to China, aud second. by her operations In
Europe to obtain the freedom OF tho PanslavonIc
states and make Constantinopic free and cosmo-
aggrandizng herself, but at the time pavcs
the way toward securing immense benefit For in