Smyrna times., 1877-05-16
Causes of the Eastern War.


which we may assume as representing the
desire of large number of our readers
that the Tribune should recapitulate the
which brought on the pres
ent war between Russia and Turkey.
we have endeavored to present
the true character and significance of each
stage of the conflict as it arose,
and have prepared our readers to antici-
pate the final catastrophe, it is not likely |
that many have been able to retain all the |
particulars in their memory, during a
period which has been filled with so many |
absorbing home interests. The large fea- |
lures of our Centennial Year, the excite
ment of Presidential contest of very
exceptional character, and the disturbing
fluctuations of financial interests, have
naturally drawn away the attention of
most Americans from the various phases of
civil war and inefficient Diplomacy which
have eliminated in an important historical
crisis. We shall endeavor, therefore, to
repeat the leading facts as briefly as is con-
sistent with a clear understanding of the
subject.
1t would be easy to follow the example
of some old historians and begin with the
creation of man for the deepest base upon
which all national antagonisms are built is
the ancient difference of blood and faith.
But it is enough to say that since the fall
of the Eastern Empire, Russia, whose
sovereign assumes its title of Caesar (Czar),
has considered herself its legitimate heir.
| Through her, the Greek Church lives and
includes one-fourth Of Christendom; and it
is the Greek Church which has been called
upon to endure the barbarites and indig
mites heaped upon it by the triumph of
Islam. Russia's sympathy with the Christian
subjects of Turkey is thus inevitable. No
doubt she has always sought to turn it to
her political advantage; but, if this were
not possible, the sympathy would mono the
less exist, for it is grounded in the deepest
faith of her people. The Crimean War
failed, because it was deliberately forced
upon Russia by the solitary will of the
Emperor Nicholas: the care of the holy
places in Palestine was too shallow a pre-
text, and aroused no national feeling.
There was no response to the movement in
the provinces of European Turkey,-noth-
which, as now, appeals TO the common
Russian heart. Yet, when the war came to
and end, with results which caused its
authors death, the whole people gradually
learned the extent of the national humila
ton, and they have not yet forgotten it.
The most popular proverb in Russia is
al sit upon the shore and wait for the
wind" Nothing could better express the
slowness, the patience, the tenacity, which
have always marked the policy of the
} Government. When Russia seems to for
get, she remembers most keenly: when she
assumes an air Of indifference, it is time fol
other nations to be on their guard. Sh,
accepted the conditions of the Treaty o
Paris, in 1856, which took away that corne
of her territory reaching down to the Dan
ube, and denied her a naval force in tn,
black sea; but it was acceptance with
silent determination to reconquer, at tn
first favorable moment, all she had lost
The war between Germany and France, il
1870, gave her the first opportunity: sh
boldly announced her repudiation of tn
Black Sea clause, and began to construc
her vessels of war. The other Powers wer
: then in no condition to interfere, and tn
protest of Turkey evoked no answer
Meanwhile the insane folly and selfshnes
. of Sultan Abdel-Aziz were rapidly banl
e rupting the Ottoman treasury; disorgan
G zing the civil government and corruptin
S the people. There are able statesmen anon
> the Turks but if any of them recognize
T the necessity of retaining the goodwill
l. the other parties to the Treaty of Paris, /
Q measures of economy, reform, justice, an
Is material development, he was powerless
IS stay the march toward ruin.
The first little spark, which has grow
- into a flame that may possibly involve q
y Europe in confagration, was kindled in IL
d Slavonic province of Herzegovina, on Il
>. western border of Turkey, between Bosn
- and Montenegro. The Christian peasan
ie rose in rebellion against the Moslem Ian
eS owners, Of their own race, in June, 1877
De and the disturbance which ensued soon e
IN tended into Bosnia. The people Of Mont
III negro and Servia sympathized keenly wi
the desperate resistance of their Christi'
- brethren to expressions which the latt
declared to be intolerable. Much seer
/, aid was undoubtedly sent into the Herr
govina and Bosnia, as the rebellion cou
= not otherwise have been so prolonged; b
~ Montenegro and Servia remained neutr
and Russia entered into an agreement wi
Germany and Austria, to secure peace.
=. the 30th of December, Count Andrasi
speaking both for Austria and her t.
allies, issued n "Note" of the refori
= which the Ottoman Government shou
~ apply to the rebellious provinces. Ev
-. England acceded, though not conformity,
- the demands of this note, which was,
-. substance, accepted by the Porte. I
g.. nothing more was heard Of it, the terms
80 the reformers were not promulgated,
IN rebellion continued, and by the Spring