, 1877-12-16
HT9EIAN SENTIMENT.

The recent paper printed in the SeCeTHY
Vcstnie by Prince WAss11TcHKoFF, and to
which we have alluded before, has attracted
SO much attention throughout Europe, cs-
pecially in diplomatic circles, as representing
Russian sentiment with regard to terms of
peace, that it is worthy of moro than ordi-
nary consideration. The utterances Of tho
Prince are always regarded attentively in
Russin. Although he has always kept aloof
from. Office, he exercises great influence in
political and diplomatic circles, md even in
Court. He is a moderate Slavophile in his
feelings, and has given special attention
to the study of social and political science, us
we'll as of international law. He is in the
highest degree. therefore, to be considered
pub1icist, and one who speaks with n certain
degree of authority, as is shown by the at
teution that has been given to his paper in
English Court circles. The points made by
the Prince may be briefly summed up as fol-
lows:
/, The WAT was undertaken for the enan-
cipntion Of the Balkan Sclaves, and at the
same time Russia entered into an ob1iga-
ton not to appropriate any territory in
Europe. The first part of tho programme
will be satisfied by procuring '' firm guaran-
tees for the Balkan Sclaves" (Bu1garia) and
'sfull autonomy for some provinces +"
{evidently Servia, Bosnia, and Herzegovina),
The second part will be satisfied by not
annexing any Of the European possessions
of the Sultan. The first part, therefore,
rfE }Ia IF -,
Sc!aves, the second the maximum of con-
cession to the European Powers.
.. Russia undertook no obligations with
respect to the Aslatic dominions or the Black
Sea. The possession Of the Inter is Of i'm
portance with regard to the future bearings
of the Eastern question. # Roumania, for
instance, after receiving territorial compen-
sation for her services in the war, should,
after the consolidation, decide to maintain
strict neutrality, and refuse her territory Us
base for tho Russian armies, all access to
the Balkan peninsula would bo barred. The
Black Sea, therefore, would be the only ap-
proach left to Russia.
5. 4 State has no right to sacrifice the
fortunes and lives Of its subjects without
compensation therefore Russia must de-
maad compensation for her losses As she
cannot demand territory in Europe, and
Turkey is too poor to pay money, the most
efectual satisfaction would be the cession of
the Turkish fleet. This would of itself
prove The best possible guarantee of the
autonomy Of the Sclavic provinces. Such
compensation would be based upon princi-
pies sanctioned by international law. tsFree-
dom of navigation, the opening of the
Straits, and the reconstruction of the Rus
sim Black Sea fleet, present such advantages
for the future of Southern Russia and for
tho further solution Of the Eastern question,
that, in comparison with them, all other
conditions of peace must be regarded as
secondary"
4. Such compensation would meet with
less opposition By the other Powers than
any other. Austria and Germany are not
opposed to the development of Russia in an
Aslatic direction; therefore the command of
the BlRck Sen and the change of the Russian
frontier in Asiatic Turkey would meet with
little antngonism.
These four points compose the substance
Of this remarkable paper, and they undoubt
cdly represent, rs nearly as it is now possible
to forecast, the programme TINT Russia will
be likely to follow in coming to settlement
with Turkey. So far as the autonomy of
Serrin, Bosnia, aud Herzegovina is con-
cerned, there would be no opposition in
Europe. It is certain that Austria and Ger
many also will never object to tho consolida-
ton Of Bulgaria and Roumania into one
strong province Of 100000 or 5000, 600 of
people under the German Prince CARL, the
present ruler Of the latter, as compensa-
tion to the Roumaniens for the gallant man-
ner in which they hare behaved at Plerna,
and for the inestimable services they have
rendered Russia in allowing her to use their
territory as 3 base Of operations. If Ger
many and Austria do not object, the senti-
mentof England is Of little consequence, With