The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1877-07-26
The Russian and the Turk.

with population Of 100 O00, 200, steadily
bears down upon the barbarians. Defeats
occur about as frequently as victories.
Still Russia advances. Her army is pour
ing across the Danube. The march is
slow, toilsome and tiercely contested. Still
Russian soldiers advance. SO far all the
European powers stand aloof, and it is
difficult to determine to which side their
sympathies incline. The probabilities
are that there is very little sympathy in
the matter. The Turk is fighting to re-
tain his European foothold. 1t was OBJ
tanned some hundred years ago. The
dominion of AIohammed in Europe was
founded in blood and cruelty for the pur-
pose ofterritorial aggrandizement and the
extension of the religion of Islam. Since
1853, the year that MOhammed III. in
vested Constantinople, Turkey in Europe,
which now Includes about 40, 600 square
miles, has virtually stood still, Turks do
not advance As race they are not
| progressive. They are not in sympathy
with modern ideas Of civilization They
conquer to crush. They evangelize with
the sword. With the harem and the
| Koran they are content. No problem of
modern civilization has ever been solved
| by the Turk. ENhausting the revenues
of an empire in barbarian extravaganza,
the government falls deeper and deeper
in debt in times Of profound peace. A
writer says that rs late as March /, 1876,
communication with the interior of the
country was of the most difficult descrip-
ton, and this too, after Il complete pos
session of the country since 1854, 40
years before the discovery Of America.
The civilization of Russia is OF a differ
ent character; it is progressive. In this
controversy, however, it matters little
what have been the motives of conquest
OF either Russia or Turkey, nor will it
help the people to understand the causes
Of the war now raging to discuss the
teachings of the Koran or the logmas Of
the Greek church 1t will prove equally
useless to rehash or rehearsG the cruel
ties that have been practiced in the re-
mote past by either of the contending ma
tons The facts that confront christen-
dom to-day are that Russa's policy is in
accord with all the Christian nations of
the earth, while that of Turkey is Just
What it was more than 400 years ago, eX-
cept in 50 far us it has been modified by
the fear Of punishment. In speaking of
| Christian civilization we do not care to
refer to any Of the peculiar tenets of the
church. 1t would suit our purpose quite
| as we'll to use the term ''modern civiliza-
ton or commercial civilization;" in
| either case it developcs certain charac-
teristIcs which warrant the qualifying
term Of ''Chrstian." Russia long since
| swung into the current of the civilization
| that explores, breaks down heather bar
rers. and invites the world to move on
a civilization that educates, strikes the
| letters from those in bondage, builds
cultivates and progresses. In these re-
CARDS she is stepping rapidly to the front,
and challenges comparison with the most
advanced nations of the earth.
Turkey is the very opposite Of all
| this. 1t We're supreme folly to contro-
vert the proposition; the facts are his
torlcal and documentary; the worlds
verdict is against Turkey. Instead Of
widening the area of Islamism the de
mand is to circumscribe its boundaries.
AS the case stands the position of England
| warrants all that we have said Of Russia.
1t is the progressive spirit of the empire
that alarms England. A dozen such
countries as Turkey would never disturb
the equanimity OF the British cabinet,
and to check the growth Of Russia Eng
land is willing to maintain the power Of
is claimed that the war, on the part of
Russia, was commenced to give protec-
ton to the 6,OOO,OOO members of the
Greek church within the dOminiOns of
the sultan. We are not disposed to credit
the story, though, doubtless, the condi-
| ton of the Greek Christians was one of
operating forces. But there were other
and more potential considerations. We
have said that Russia is progressive, and
we may add, aggressive; but with all
her territorial possessions she is hemmed
in from the markets of the world. She
wants an outlet to the sea, not closed by
ice half the year. This she can and
ought to have, via the DardaneIles and
Mediterranean sea; and this she will
have eventually. This is the gist OF the
whole matter. The New York Tribune
in an article upon the subject, says:
Already the question is asked Can Russia pos
sibly be contented with any settlement which
England tolerated" 4 significant article in
the London Economist of June 30 puts this CUES
ton very strongly. 1t points TO the obvious fact
that Russia II victorious at all cannot be expected
To demand less than free passage for Russian yes
sells through the Daldanees Considering the i'm
| measurable Importance of the Black sea to the
industry and commerce OF that vast Empire, the
Economist reasons that to Russia any terms of
peace must be equivalent to confession of fail
ure which do not include the freedom of the
DardanelleS to Russian fleets, and it bluntv puts
the question whether England can possibly con
sent to that change. France cannot afford to
interfere Italy, it is thought, may be willing TO
see English superiority in the Mediterranean
checked. Austria cares little and has already
declared that its policy will be to defend its own
interests exclusively England alone must resist
|, ,Il,r
TO be made to the settlement which Russia is
likely TO demand. If England yields, the Black
sea becomes IA Russian lake; its large commerce
| depends thereafter on the pleasure OF Russia; and
from the fortified harbors of that great sea which
Russia could, with very little difficulty, barricade
against all corners, powerful nayies could at any
time be sent through the Dardanelles to dictate
terms al Suez, or to drive British commerce from
the Mediterranean.
The question resolves itself into this ::
Ought the people Of the United States to
oppose the just demands Of Russia for a