The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-06-20
THE MUSCOVITE DREAM.
Wrestling Cofstnntinoplc from the Turk to
Present 1t TO Europc--Itussia's Celestial
Ambition.

Wrestling COflstnntlnOpIc from the THrk 10
Present 1t TO Europc--Russia's Celestial
Ambition.
ASt. Petersburg cable dispatch to the
New York Herald is as follows Your
correspondent had an interview recently
with prominent Russian diplomat,
whose name, for certain cogent reasons, 1
am not at liberty to disclose. It will be
seen that the Russian official makes
some startling assertions
Upon my asking whether Russia's in
tentions were really as disinterested as
she had announced in her several circu
lar notes addressed to the powers of
Europe, I was told that Russia intended
to redeem her pledge as far as the ag-
grandizement of territory went, but that,
should she prove victorious, there was
no reason to doubt that she would insist
upon the independence of tie different
tributary States-namely: Bulgaria,
Herzegovina, Roumania, Servia and
Bosnia, and she would guarantee these
provinces their independence, no matter
against what power. In other words,
she would form defensive and offensive
alliance with these liberated territories.
Upon my asking whether CONSTANT
nople, in the event of Russia gaining
decisive victories, would be occupied by
Russia, was informed that long before
nh army could be brought in front of the
walls of Constantinople peace would be
made. The terms of peace, beside those
spoken of above, would perhaps include
the surrender, on the part of Turkey, of
o portion of her fleet, and, above all, the
consummation of treaty placing the
city of Constantinople under the joint
control 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 it has never been practically tried.
On Constantinople, then, if my infor-
mant is correctly advised, the first at
tempt will be made. The city will proba-
bly, be garrisoned by troops Of a neutral
power, while its virtual government will
be invested in Legislative and executive
body of men composed of different ma
tionaities, 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 of without having
seriously been advocated. Should the
attempt to make Constantinople cosmo-
politan city, and, consequently, free
port, succeed, the advantages accruing
to all nations would be immense.
England would be the greatest gamer
by it hence there is little danger that
she will oppose the scheme. England
need never fear, continued my informant,
that Russia will ever attempt to jeopar-
die her trade in India nor ever try to
deprive her of one inch other Indian terri
tory. It would be, in the first 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 gen.
eral with his army will ever cross the
Himalaya mountains. And even could
this difficult undertaking be accom-
plished and India conquered, the force
which would have to be employed to
keep that country in subiugation would
be so enormous that it would more
than counteract the benefits derived
from it's acquisition, especially as the
Muscovite government is not favorably
looked upon by the Mohammedan popu-
lation.
No, Russia has no intention OF advanc-
ing into India. Her ambition is to be-
como the master and possessor of part
of the Celestial empire. Toward this
end all her inroads into Asia are di-
rected. China, with all it's resources as
yet untouched, with it's peaceful but in
dustrious population, with its mineral re-
sources, with its highly appreciated
manufactures, all these offer far more
temptation to Russia than the almost
exhausted India. And how easy of ac-
cess to Russia. With Turkestan as her
vassal or tributary State she can trans
port her troops to whatever part of the
frontier of the Chinese empire may be
mostadvantageous, andnopower can pre-
vent her from helping herself to as much
territory as she desires. With Constan-
tinople n free or national port, and
China intersected by railroads, Russia
may control vast amount of commerce.
It is true that there is large popu-
lation of Mohammedans in China that
the country is SO thickly populated that
it can put into the field an almost un-
limited army, but it must be taken into
consideration that the Chinese are not q
warlike people that they are very poor
! ly armed and have no leaders or gener-
als. All of these facts were demon
strated in 1860 IN the war Of Formosa,
and still later in the Corean campaign.
Nor would it be the interest of
England to oppose Russian advance into
China, for naturally great amount of
trade would find its way to her Indian
seaports, and though Russia may be q
more dangerous neighbor than China,
still she would certainly prove herself q
more profitable one.
In my opinion, therefore, Russia in
making war upon Turkey, has a two
fold object. First, by her advance Into
Asia to gain the right of way and pas
sage to China, and second, by her opera.
tions in Europe to obtain the freedom OF
the Panslavonic States and make Con-
stantinople free antcosmopolitan port.
She thus redeems her word in not ag-
grandizing herself, but at the same
I time pafeS GnC way COWaru scCullHS ILL
mensc benefit. For i'll China everything
can be found that is needed in Europe,
and her teas, wool, rice and cotton, not
to speak of her minerals, can be ex-
ported in such large quantities and in
such m easy manner by railroads, that
it will revolutionize the commerce of the
world.
I do not think that this war will be Of
very long duration. Turkey has already
recognized her own weakness, and as
soon as Russia has concentrated sufli-
cicnt troops on the Danube to be sure Of
SUCCESS in al advance I have no doubt
that after one or two decisive victories
peace will he made on the basis
which I have already mentioned. Tur-
key has been too dilatory in attacking
Russia on the northern side of the
Danube before sufficient force could
have been collected. 1t is now too late,
and the final result may be safely antic-
patcd.