Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1877-06-09
THE MUSCOVITE DREAM.
Wrestling ConstantinOple from the Tank 10
Present it to Europc--Russia's Celestial
Ambition.

New York Herald is as follows Your
had an interview recently
with q prominent Russian diplomat,
whose name, for certain cogent reasons, 1
am not at liberty to disclose. 1t will be
seen that the Russian official makes
some startling assertions
Upon my asking whether Russia's in
tentions were really as disinterested as
she had announced in her several circu-
lar notes addressed to the powers of
Europe, was told that Russia intended
to redeem her pledge as far as the ag-
grandizement 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,
Herzegovina, Roumania, Servia and
Bosnia, and she would guarantee these
provinces their independence, no matter
against what power. In other words,
she would form defensive and offensive
alliance with these liberated territories.
Upon my asking whether CONSTANT
nople, in the event of Russia gaining
decisive victories, would be occupied by
Russia, 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
the surrender, on the part of Turkey, of
a portion Of her fleet, and, above all, the
consummation of a treaty placing the
city of Constantinople under the joint
control of all the foreign powers. Up to
this time cosmopolitan city has been
frequently talked of and several theories
been brought forward for its government,
but it has never been practically tried.
On Constantinople, then, if my infor-
mant is correctly advised, the first at
tempt will be made. The city will proba-
bly, be garrisoned by troops of a neutral
power, while its virtual government will
be invested in legislative and executive
body of men composed Of different ma
tionalities, and, perhaps, 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 Constantinople cosmo-
politan city, and, consequently, a free
port, succeed, the advantages accruing
to all nations would be immense.
England would be the greatest gamer
by it; hence there is little danger that
she will oppose the scheme. England
need never fear, continued my informant,
that Russia will ever attempt to jeopar-
dize her trade in India nor ever try to
deprive her of one inch Of her Indian terri
tory. 1t would be, i'll the first place,
absolutely impossible to send a sufficient
force of men to defeat the English
troops, aided, as they would be, by the
natives. Hannibal may have crossed
the Alps, but certainly no Russian gen.
eral with his army will ever cross the
Himalaya mountains. And even could
this difficult undertaking be accom-
plished and India conquered, the force
which would have to be employed to
keep that country in subiugation would
be so enormous that it would more
than counteract tho benefits derived
from its acquisition, especially as the
Muscovite government is not favorably
looked upon by the Mohammedan popu-
lation.
No, Russia has no intention of advanc-
ing into India. Her ambition is to be-
come the master and possessor Of a part
of the Celestial empire. Toward this
end all her inroads into Asia are di-
rected. China, with all it's resources as
yet untouched, with it's peaceful but in.
dustrious population, with its mineral re.
sources, with its highly appreciated
manufactures, all these offer far more
temptation to Russia than the almost
exhausted India. And how easy of ac.
cess to Russia. With Turkestan as hel
vassal or tributary State she can trans.
port her troops to whatever part of the
frontier of the Chinese empire may bt
mostadvantageous, andnopowerc can pre-
vent her from helping herself to as much
territory as she desires. With Constan
tinople free or national port, an(
China intersected by railroads, Russii
may control vast amount of commerce
Tt is true that there is large popu
lation of Mohammedans in China tina
the country is so thickly populated tha
it can put into the field an almost un
limited army, but it must be taken int,
consideration that the Chinese are not
warlike people; that they are very poor
ly armed and have no leaders OF gener
ais. All of these facts were demon
strated in 1860 IN the war of Formosa
and still later in the Corean campaign
Nor would it be the interest G
England to oppose Russian advance int
} China, for naturally a great amount c
trade would find its way to her India
seaports, and though Russia may be
more dangerous neighbor than China
still she would certainly prove herself
more profitable one.
In my opinion, therefore, Russia Il
making war upon Turkey, has two
5 fold object. First, by her advance int
Asia to gain the right of way and pa
sage to China, and second, by her cperl
tions in Europe to obtain the freedom
the Panslavonic States and make Cor
Q stantinople free and cosmopolitan por
a She thus redeems her word in not ae
grandizing herself, but ut the san
time paves the way toward securing in
h mense benefit. For in China everythir
= can be found that is needed in Europ
, and her teas, wool, rice and cotton. n,
to speak of her minerals, can be {.
ported in such large quantities and
such au easy manner by railroads, thi
Il it will revolutionize the commerce of ii
J. world.
= I do not think that this war will be
4 very long duration. Turkey has alreat
a recognized her own weakness, and
! soon as Russia has concentrated suf
e cient troops on the Danube to be sure
If success in an advance [ have no dou
T. that after one or two decisive victori
,e peace will be made on the ba'
If which I have already mentioned. TT
% key has been too dilatory in attackil
,e Russia on the northern side of t
Il Danube before sufficient force cou
s have been collected. 1t il now too la
le and the final result may be safely ant
I nota6