New-York tribune., 1878-07-19
guate even if obtained after struggle like that of

the Crimea.
Russia only having obtained Bessarabia in Europe
naturally looked for reward TO her conquests IN
Armenia. 1t was unfair to argue as though the
negotiations relative to Armenia had been for the
Turkey had by the Treaty of San Stefano already
given up Kars, Batum, etc. If England had gone
to war to recover them, the war would have been
loug and expensive and, probably, like most wars,
would have ended in compromise. Kars had been
already three times taken by the Russians. Would
Parliament have sanctioned war in order to restore
1t to Turkey that Russia might take it again when
the next misunderstanding arose, or to prevent the
cessiOn of Batum HarbOr which is barely capable OF
visable not to begrudge these conquests 10 Russia
especially after obtaining the restoration OF Bayazd
and the districts
REFORM IN AsIATTC TURKEY
But it seemed at the same time necessary to con-
slider whether some effort was not possible to i'm
prove the general condition of Asiatic Turkey, and
prevent the perpeualy recurring wars, always ter
minatingin shaking the authority of the Porte, and
diminishing the means of prOftably and advan-
tageOusly governing the country. He pointed out
that other European Powers We're naturally not so
interested as England III affairs connected with
our Oriental Empire. Therefore anything to guard
effectually interests in that quarter must be
framed by ourselves though the object of the An
glO-Iurkish convention certainly to place Eng
land in position in which she might be connected
with the force necessary when any great transac-
tions were contemplated, even though you may not
feel it necessary to have recourse to force But
the object of the convention was not merely or
chiefly military but to produce peace and Tranquil
ty, as to open up to the wealth and enterprise OF
Europe what is really another continent. He was
surprised to hear il reported, though he had not
heard 1t from any authority, that the Governments
course caused any suspicion or enmity He had par;
ticulary considered the susceptibilities OF
France, to whom England is bound by
daily increasing friendship, and had avoided Syria
and Egypt because CT the sentimental tradtiOnary
interests of France. But we must remember that
England had enormous and substantial interests in
the East and that if she did not interfere in vnd-
cation of those interests Asia Minor must become
victim to anarchy, and ultimately pass to Russia,
who would not be blamable in prOhting
from such state of affairs. The Government
did not want TO enter upon any unnecessary respon
sibility, and shrank above all, from the responsible
ity of handing over 20 its successors diminished
Europe. Let Russia keep what she has obtained,
England now said, thus far and no further ASIA Is
large enough for both Russia and England. There
is reason for constant war or fears OF war be-
tween them
MORE NEGOTIATIONS on FOOT.
Lord Beaconsfield said he could not at present
communicate the details of the proposed reforms in
Asia Minor, as the Government was acting with
Turkey, which is an independent power, and whose
consent isrequired to all the measures. The Govern
ments operations were in the interest of peace and
civilization. They did not mainly rely on fleets
and armies however great. but on the consciousness
of eastern nations that our empire IS one OF liberty
A LIBERAL Ex-MINIsTER's REPLY.
Earl Granville said he would have preferred that
the danger arising from Turkish mlsgovemment had
been provided against by European concert. He
complained that the interests of the Greeks had been
disregarded He did not think that Cyprus would
add TO the power of defending the Suez Canal. IL
would entail costs aud responsibilities not worth
the gain.
DERBY PRovoKEs SALISBURY.
Lord Derby generally approved of what had been
done in Europe, but he questioned the value of
Cyprus and declared that he quilted the Cabinet
because he dissented from the decision to seize
naval station in the Eastern Mediterranean, consist
ing of Cyprus aud point on the main land by
secret expedition from India without the consent
of the Sultan.
Lord Salisbury pointed out that Lord Derby had
not given due weight to the part which Aus
tra played in the new Arrangement. If Tur-
key now goes to pieces Russia would not
rule the Bosphorus He denied Lord Derby's
statement in regard to a secret expedition. He said
India would not have remained loyal If Russia had
been allowed to rule the Tgris and the Euphrates.
Lord Derby emphatically maintained the truth
of his statement relative to the secret expedition,
saying he had notes made at the time.
Lord Salisbury SAID he believed that Lord Derby's
memory was bad.