The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-12-13

session OF the Turkish provinces border
ing on the Black Sea, both South and
West, the seizure OF the Turkish capi-
tai would be comparatively an insigniti-
cant matter. 1T has been surmised that
England could let loose her Mahomme-
dan population OF India and bid them
rush to the aid of the Sultan in defense
oil their religion. But this is simply a6-
surd. Ii it were ever practicable, 1t is
now externally too late" To raise,
arm, equip and transport any efficient
! force from that quarter. would require
time and an immensity Of treasure. To
get them to the field would be an enor-
nous difficulty, by reason OF dis ance,
deserts, mountains, and vast roadless
regions that they would be compelled to
pass before coming within striking dis
tance of the Russian armies. Before
that could be accomplished the fate OF
Turkey would be sealed. Nay, the des-
tiny Of Turkey is already fixed. The
"Sick Man" is virtually dead. TO ad-
minister upon AMI make distribution OF
his estate is now to be the matter in
hand. And that is now really the
"Eastern Question"
There can be no doubt but that the
"tnrce Emperors," Of Russia, Austria
and Germany, are in accord on this sub
iect. And, that Italy is in friendly con-
| hdence with them, is equally certain.
France, being embroiied in her domes-
! tic politics, can not lift hand or voice
| concerning this question; and Spain Is
| inherently too weak to be taken into &C.
count, and really has no direct interest
in the result. England, then, has no al
tentative but to unite and conform, or to
pit herself in arms against all the pow
ers OF Europe combined. And this lat
| ter is what England will not do. Due
regard to "Bl itish interests" must
| prompt her to join in conference with
| the other Great Powers and acquire
Egypt, rather than to try conclusions
| by force Of arms and acquire nothing,
except, probably, only expense, inlamy
and humiliation.
| That the united policy of the "three
Emperors" is to drive the Turks out OF
Europe, as dominant race, totally and
forever, is questionable. This will
be unrelentingly exacted as a basis of
pacitication. Turkey in Europe"
Will be expunged from the maps
Of the world. This being done,
the great Powers will doubtless proceed
to reconstruct the political autonomy OF
the provinces south Of the Danube, un-
der agreed stipulatiOns and in conform
ity with Christian rule under joint Pro-
! ectorate, to the exclusion of Mahomme-
| dansm as religion of State. The
independence of the trans-Danubian
! Principalities, hitherto Dominally sub
ject to the Sultan, to whom tribute was
! paid, will he acknowledged, and suita-
! bic soverelgnties established under con-
stilutlonal limitations. They would
| rec gnze and settle the possessory
| rights of Russia over territory acquired
| by conquest in Armenia, SO as to give
| her command Of the gateway leading
| from her Caucasian possessions towards
the Tigris, and probably OF the southern
! ports OF the Black Sea, including Bh-
toum and Trebizond, together with the
| free navigation OF the Bosphorus as a
national highway to the Mediterranean
but leaving Constantinople untouched.
This would doubtless satisfy the Car.
Italy would receive certain islands in
| the Adriatic. Austria would annex
certain smaller provinces adjoining her
Eastern and Hungarian frontiers. Eng
| land would be allowed to acquire Egypt.
| Germany would find her interest in alb
sorbing Holland under such conditions
as would afford her an outlet in the
North Sea.
In this manner, it now seems most
likely that the present phase Of the
Eastern Question will be solved. But,
in any event, it is obvious that the Turks
must now leave Europe, and will be
driven back to their original Asiatic
homes. 1t is now four centuries and a
quarter since the cres cent banner oil Islam
| first tloated in triumph over all Of South.
eastern Europe. And all that time the
Turk has held Constantinop!e, the key
of the Orient, as conquered city, and
capital OF the Mohammedan Empire.
The political changes this great war
will produce are likely to mark an era
in the history of the world.
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