The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-28


The interesting and instructive despatch
from ST. Petersburg, printed in the
HEnALD yesterday, should lead hasty people
who have jumped to conclusions not war
ranted by any authentic evidence to revise
their opinions respecting the ultimate pur-
poses of Russia in embarking in this war.
We see no reason for doubling that the
statements made to our correspondent by o
Russian official were frank and sincere. At
any rate, they coincide with the real inter-
ests Of Russia in this conjuncture and with
every declaration made by the Gear since
the commencement of the present troubles.
They are also confirmed by the
opinions put forth by Mr.. Wallace
in his recent important book on Russia,
published before the war broke out. and
presenting tho result of An intelligent study
of the country during residence OF i've
years. Mr.. Wallace thinks the notion that
the Muscovite government cherishes .
design or even a wish to make Con-
stantinople its capital belongs TO ''po-
litical mythology" He asserts, after
long and various intercourse, that no
Russian statesman entertains such thought,
and he explains quite at length, in the last
chapter of his book, why it is neither the
present policy nor the interest Of Russia to
acquire Constantinople. TO this extent, at
least, the observations Of Mr.. Wallace, dur
ing the last five years, are at one with the
interesting statements made to our corre-
spondent at st. Petersburg by Russian
diplomat
The Gar himself has made repeated and
very emphatic declarations that he seeks no
acquisition of territory. The world is well
acquainted with the disclaimers set forth in
his public manifestoes, but they fall short Of
the statements which he made to the British
Ambassador, as reported by Mr.. Cross in the
recent debate in the House Of Commons
In November last the Emperor Alexander
on several occasions given the most solemn
assurances that he desired no conquest, that
he aimed at no aggrandizement, and that he
had not the smallest wish or intention to be
possessed of Constantinople. 1t is difficult
to imagine any good reason why the Car
should bind himself by such strong language
to the representative of foreign govern
ment if he did not mean it But he did
not stop even here he went on to say to
the British Ambassador :--"All that has been
said about the will of Peter the Great and
the aims Of Catherine II. were illusions and
phantoms. They never existed in reality,
and he considered that the acquisition of
Constantinople would be o misfortune for
Russia" 1t is no wonder that at this point
Mr. Cross wasinterupted by cries Of "Hear
hear p as he proceeded in repeating the
statements Of the Gear. "There was no
question Of it," the Gear continued, "nor
had it ever been entertained by his
late father, who gave proof Of it in
1928, when his victorious army was
within four days Of Constantinople." Now,
if these very remarkable declarations OF the
Emperor Alexander, which contradict SO
much that has been generally attributed to
Russia, were truthful and sincere, there
will be no difficulty in localizing the pres.
ent war. He has doubtless given the same
assurances to Germany and Austria that he
has to England, and there is nothing in the
attitude of these immediate neighbors to
indicate that they disbelieve him.
But, it may be asked If Russia is to keep
aloof from Constantinop!e and to acquire
no territory, what advantage will she reap
from the war? This is o question on
which our despatch from st. Peters
burg throws great deal of light
The Russian official with whom our
correspondent had an interview was
very explicit in his predictions, and, even
if they have little value as predictions, they
at least disclose the wishes and expectations
Of the Russian government. Russia expects,
as fruits of this war, that Turkey will be
diminished in size and hemmed in by COR
don of independent States carved out OF re-
her sovereignty. This important result and
the political consequences that would natu-
rally flow from it are sufficient induce
ment for Russia to prosecute the war If she
thinks she can succeed to that extent. With
Bulgaria, Herzegovina, Roumania, Servia
and Bosnia independent the Porte would
be SO crippled and weakened that Egypt
would also throw of its allegiance, having
nothing to fear from the Sultan in his
debilitated condition. With the loss of
these tributary dependencies he would lose
so great part Of his revenue that he would
become tractable and amenable to the dicta-
ton Of the great Powers or be driven out of
Europe. This programme has already been
partially carried out by declaration of
Independence OH the part Of Roumania,
and the other tributary provinces will be
tempted to follow the example as soon as
Turkey is sufficiently weakened.
But, it may be further asked, what ad-
vantage will come to Russia from this cur
tailment and Gripping of her southern