Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-06-05
THE D1PLoMArIc CINE or cHEs!

ZdIlOn Is not IN Inc naDlt OF DONG Inc |
Republican party an unkind turn.
THE DIPLOMATIC CLINE OF CHESS.
The eyes of the whole world will now be
turned in the direction of the European con-
gress of nations, which will meet at Berlin
on the 18th of the present month to discuss
the provisions of the treaty of San Stefano,
for on the result of its deliberations hangs
the momentous question of war or no war
between Great Britain and Russia. It's de-
alterations will probably not occupy much
time, as the issues between the two nations
have already been fully defined and are thor
oughly understood. It will be match
game of chess between the first diplomats of
Europe for the control of European af-
fairs.
The mistake that Russia has made, and
that will probably prove Of serious injury to
| her cause, has been her attempt to ignore
the provisions of the treaty of Paris, and to
ratify treaty with fallen foe without con-
sultation with the other signators of the
treaty. Placing too high an estimate upon
her right as a conqueror to Edictate terms to
the conquered, she has exacted even the
pound of flesh from her adversary, and made
encroachments in the way of territorial
| claims that have been construed as menacing
the interests and insulting the dignity of
both England and Austria. Although she
has since practically abandoned these claims,
| her assumption is not unlikely to
cost her many Of the legitimate
fruits of her victory. Her representatives
will therefore have to labor under the disad-
vantage of trying to excuse unwarranted en-
croachments upon the rights of friendly
powers. The serious illness of the Russian
premier, Gortschakoff, Will probably prevent
his active participation in the congress, and
| the duty of representing her interests will
probably devolve upon Gen. Ignatief and
Count Schouvaloff, both statesmen of keen
discernment and diplomats of great shrewd
| ness.
England's position has the partial en-
dorsement of the whole of Europe. The
stand she has taken in support of the in
tegrity of the treaty of Paris, is common
| to all the other powers. Her demand for
the freedom of the Danube to ships of all
nations is vital to the existence of Austria as
a first-class nation. Her declaration of the
right to navigate the Dardanelles also meets
with the approval of other nations. Her
position as to Roumania, Servia and Bull
garia, likewise meets with the concurrence
of majority of the powers. With this
| ctpo hor E1,rt1o into no
gress with no small advantage. Her repre-
sentatives, too, are the ablest diplomatists in
! Europe skilled in all the arts of statecraft,
who will not be slow to take advantage Of
every point that may prove Of benefit to
their cause. Beaconsfeld, Salisbury and
Russell form strong and harmonious COM
bination, and what they cannot accomplish
in diplomacy had better be abandoned.
The selection of the representatives of
England has caused dissatisfaction in Parlia-
ment, not because of any difference of opin-
ion or doubt of the ability of the statesmen,
but because it leaves the English government
without head for the nonce. But this OBJ
lection is trivial The government is simply
transferred for time from London to Ber-
lin, the actual theatre Of the nations con-
test. Instead of entrusting the responsible
duties to subordinates, the chief officers of
the government have undertaken to perform,
them themselves, course that in the end
will no doubtless prove wholly satisfactory.
1t is not expected that much divergence
Of opinion will be found as TO the proper
settlement of the treaty of San Stefano.
But disturbing element may be introduced
in the congress by the suggestion of a Brit
ish protectorate over Asiatic Turkey. To
this there is little doubt Russia-and per-
haps other of the powers-will strenuously
object. But England's representatives may
insist upon it as a guarantee that Russian
ag5gressions in the direction of the British
East India possessions shall cease. If this
should be the case, the probabilities of a
peaceful solution of all the difficulties be-
tween the two nations will be greatly dimin-
ished, and the congress held in vain. Aus
tria, too, may cast ire-bxand into the de !.
alterations by demanding that Russia be de-
barred from the right to maintain a naval
station on the Egean sea, as that would be
regarded as menace to her integrity. Aus
trials claims, in view of her geographical
relations towards Russia, cannot be ignored
by the congress, and it is not improbable
that she will play an important part in the
diplomatic game of chess. It is useless to
prognosticate, however, and we will soon
learn whether Europe is again to be arrayed
in battle.