The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-03-09
The state of the Turkish Question.

The attention OF Europe Is Mt the present
moment fixed with the utmost interest upon
Berlin, where Ger IGNArGEFF Is now en-
dcavoring to extract from the post prandial
uttcrpnccs of that frank and convivial
statesman, Prince BISMARCK, assurances
which may justify Russia in declaring war
against Turkey without the risk of pro-
ducing n collision between the Slavonic and
German elements. 1t is not improbable that
the Russian diplomatist may make great
progress in his negotiations in the sense he
desires during these genial moments. Unfur-
tundtcly they have to be reduced TO writing
and signed. in order to be worth anything;
and there il VIGOROUSLY a wide difference
between II formal protocol and an after
dinner agreement. We shall be much as
tonshcd if Gen. IGNATIEFF leaves the
Prussian capital with any document in his
| pocket Of such n nature rs will enable
Russia to undertake active operations
against Turkey with guarantee of n
benevolent neutrality in any event on the
part Of Germany. Could such be obtained,
/ the action Of Austria would be paralyzcd, and
the Car could afford to disregard the atti-
tude oi sulky and dissatisfied watchfulncss
which England scems disposed to maintain.
As We have all along pointed out, the key
of the situation is held at Berlin; and hence
there l. not n Cabinet in Europe which Is not
anXiously observing the progress Of events
there. So far little light has been gained
Gen. IGNArIEFF appears TO talk frankly. but
/ his uttcrNnccs are directly cuntradctcd by
those of his Secretary. and the public at
/ large are lett as much in the dark as
/ ever
] ina, Is not 10 h, Il ~
| logically the position Of Russia is n strong
ono. AMI that she has only TO press her
diplomatic advantages Professionally in tho
direction she is now doing, 70 place all
the powers who took part in the conference
in a very embarrassing position. She main
tains in her discussion with the five powers
who were cosignatorcs with her to the
treaty Of 1856. either that this treaty still
exists, in which case it is binding, and
they are bound to enforce 1t against
Turkey, by arms il need be. now
that peaceful efforts have proved fruit
loss: or it does not longer exist. in con-
sequence " its infraction by Turkey. and in
that case they are bound, If they refuse to
act, To ab-olVc Russia from any further oh
legations under II, and AFFORD her moral
support in her endoavors II extract by force
those guarantees for proper treatment of
the Christians, which Turkey has refused to
yield TO persuasion; and she demands from
the powers written declaration Of the
course they intend 10 pursue under the
circumstances, a proceeding which seems
justified by the fact that 1t Is owing
to the policy which they have adopted that
she finds herself surrounded 10y her present
complications.
II l. easy to soc why neither Of the al
tornativc- proposed by Russia suits the
powers. The first involves "A combined mill
tary operation against Turkey. to be UNI
dcrtakcn by Russia, Germany, Austria,
Italy. France, and England. This is prac-
t.raily ont of the question. II docs not suit
Italy and Austria t. bc fighting side by side.
1t is an impossihility rs between Ger
many and France, and by no means
congcnal 10 Russia and England. The first
alternative is therefore, evidently only sug-
go.ted by Russia In order TO force the ac-
coptance of the other upon the powers, who,
If they are conicsscdly too antagonistic to
each other TO be able 10 unite upon n COM
mon policy uf coercion hyarms, are asked to
dcputc that duty to the only power willing
TO undertake what has been admitted at the
} conference to be a moral obligation bind
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