The Republican journal., 1877-05-31
Russia's Desires and Intentions.


predictions are made that have strong
appearance of probability. We copy it
below
ST. PETERSBURG, May 26, 1877. Your
correspondent had an interview recently
Witha prominent Russian diplomat, whose
name. for certain cogent reasons, | am
not al liberty to disclose. 1t will be seen
that the Russian official makes some
startling assertions:
RCSSIA'S INTENTIONS AND AIMS.
Upon my asking whether Russia's in
tentons were really as disinterested as
she had announced in her several circular
notes addressed to the Powers Of Europe,
| was told that Russia intended to re-
deem her pledge as far as the aggran-
dzement of territory went, but that,
should she prove victorious, there was
no reason to doubt that she would insist
upon the independence of the different
tributary States namely, Bulgaria, Her
zo90vina, Roumania, Servia and Bosnia.
and she would guarantee these provinces
their independence, no matter against
what Power In other words she would
form a defensive and offensive alliance
with these liberated territories
THE FATE OF CONsTANTINoPLE.
Upon my asking whether Constantine
pie in the event Of Russia gaining deci-
slvc victories, would be occupied by Rus
sla, was informed that long before an
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
-
It portion of her fleet and, above all, the
conSummation of Il treaty placing the city
of COnStantinOple under the Joint control
ot all the foreign powers. Up to this
time a cosmopolitan city has been fire.
quently talked of, and several theories
been brought forward for its govern
ment, but it has never been practically
tried. On Constantinople, then, if my
informant is correctly advised, the first
attempt will be made. The city will
probably be garrisoned by troops of a
neutral Power. while its virtual govern
ment will be invested in a legislative and
executive body of men composed of diff
tcrent nationalties, 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 Constanti-
hople Il cosmopolitan city, and, conse-
quently. a free port, succeed, the adVan-
tageS dccruing to all nations would be
immense.
TICKLING JOHN BULL.
England would be the greatest gamer
lyit; hence there is very little danger that
She Will oppose the scheme England need
never fear continued my informant, that
Russia will ever attempt to jeopardiZe her
trade i'll India nor ever try to deprive her
OF one inch of her Indian territory 1t
would be, in the first place, absolutely
Impossible to send a sufficient force OF
men to defeat the English troops, aided,
us they would be. by the natives. IIanni-
bal may have crossed the Alps, but Ger
tainly no Russian general with his army
will ever cross the Himalaya Mountains.
And even could this difficult undertaking
he accomplished and India conquered,
the force which would have to be en-
pioycd to keep that country in subiuga-
ton would be 50 enormous that it would
more than counterfeit the benefits derived
from its acquisition, especially as the Mus
coyitc government is not tavorably looked
upon by the Mohammedan population.
WHAT RUSSIA WANTS.
No, Russia has no intention of advanc-
in4 into India. Her ambition is to be
come the master and possessor Of Il part
of the Celestial Empire Toward this end
all her inroads into Asia are directed
China, with all its resources as vet I'M
touched, with its peaceful but Industrious
population, with its mineral resources
II, t,.I,,
all these offer far more temptation to
Russia than the almost exhausted India.
And how easy of access to Russia With
Turkestan as her vassal or tributary
State she can transport her troops to
Whatever part Of the frontier of the Chi
ncse Empire may be most advantageous,
and no power can prevent her from help
ING herself to as much territory us she de
srcs. With Constantinople a free or ma
tional port, and China intcrsected by rail
roads, Russia may control vast amount
ut commerce.
All SIN TO BE GOBBLED UP.
1t is true that there is a large popula-
uon OF M0hamnedanS in China that the
country is SO thcllly populated that it
can put into the field an almost unlimited
army, but it must be taken into consider
alton that the Chinese are not Warlikc
people; that they are very poorly armed
and have no leaders or generals All of
these facts We're demonstrated 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 a great
amount of trade would find its way to her
Indian seaports, and though Russia NAV
beam0re dangerous ncighbOrthan China
still She would certainly prove herself a
more profitable one.
THE MTSCOVITE PLAN.
In my opinion, therefore, Russia, in
making war upon Turkey, has a two-fOld
object. First, by her advance into Asia
to gain thcright OF way passage to China,
and second, by her operations in Europe
to obtain the freedom of the Panslavonic
States and make Constantinople free
and cosmopolitan port. She thus redeems
her word in not aggrandiZing herself but
ut the same time payes the way toward
securing immense benefit. For in 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 exported in such large quantities and
IN such an easy manner by railroads. that
it will revolutionize the commerce of the
world.
\ SHORT WAR.
Ito 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 sufficient
troops on the Danube to be sure of sue
cess in an advance | have no dolbt that
after one or two decisive victories peace
viii be made on the basis which | have
already mentioned. Turkey has been
too dllatory in attacking Russia on the
northern side of the Danube before a sui
ticient force could have been collected 1t
is now TOO late, and the final result NAV
be safely anticipated.