, 1877-04-07

OF this protocol is the transference from
Russia of her assumed responsibility in
relation to the Christian subjects Of the
Porte from herself, as q single Power, to
the United Powers of Europe. 1t leaves
her at freedom, as it does all her co-signa-
tories, TO Judge when the time shall have
come for more active intervention. It re-
lieves her, however, as it does them, from
any obligation to carry that judgment into
execution, OF the expediency of which
each Power will be at perfect liberty to
decide for itself. 1t merely puts upon
record a public sanction of the conclusions
arrived at by the Constantinople Confer
ence, and agreed to by the Turkish Gov
eminent as just and necessary ; and, omit.
ting the guarantees which Turkey object
ed to give, recognises the right OF any ono
OF the Powers to require the reas$embly
OF the Conference whenever it may be deem
ed needful to take such steps as may
appear to be indispensable to secure lust
government for the Christian subjects Of
the Sultan. For the present, the idea Of
coercion is abandoned. Should the Pow
ers agree upon some fDal form of giving
public sanction TO such Resolutions of the
CONFERENCE 9 b0FC OCOu 0itCuOH dCOulCHGGu
in by Turkey, Russia will demobiIize her
forces, the Powers will resume diplomatic
correspondence with the Porte, and Tur.
key will have another-perhapa q last
chance of redeeming herself from anarchy
and ruin.
No one, however, can shut his eyes to
the feet that the proposal Of Russia. if as
sented to by the Powers. will effect rather
an evasion than o settlement Of the East
ern Question. When her Troops have
been disbanded, and when Russia has
reduced her military establishments TO
their peace footing, the settlement of
Turkish affairs will mainly depend upon
herself. Can she do what 10 expected Of
her 7 Or, if she can, will she do it9 Under
the watchtul eye OF Signatory Powers she
may perhaps exert herself to some tempo.
rary good effect. 1t is to be doubted,
however, whether she will seize the
protfered opportunity Of so arranging her
affairs as to conciliate the goodwill Of
Europe. She has done nothing towards
the attainment OF that end as vet. In no
particular have her Agents in the provinces
foregone their customary habits of extor.
ton and tyranny. Bulgaria is much as
Bulgaria was a twelvemonth since. Bosnia
aud Herzegovina are reported to be worse
oft than they were. The government
which would be a protection for the in
nocent and the weak is their main terror.
Criminality finds its chief support where
1t should meet with condign punishment.
Not Christians alone, but Mahommedans.
suffer under the present system, which is
Iltte better than one of legal brigandage.
1t can hardy be expected that the oligar.
chy OF Pashas, by the members of which the
subjects of the Sultan are proved upon
should voluntarily consent to give un, or
even TO limit, the ascendencv they have
attained. The Eastern Question, go far
asst depends upon them, threatens to be.
come n perennial question. If it is not
now taken in hands by the Powers, as it
was the confident expectation of Europe
that it would be, it is not on account OF
any special tenderness for Turkish inter.
estS. There are other dangers demanding
conslderation-dangers which lie beyond
the redistribution Of political authority in
the Turkish Provinces. It is of these that
European statesmen are most afraid, for no
one can foreses how far war in the East
might not be speedily eclipsed by a war in
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