The New York herald., 1878-11-18
ENGLAND AND FRANCE.
The misunderstanding on the Eastern
Question Explained.
FRANCE SPEAKS PLAINLY
The AngIo-Turkish Convention, Cyprus,
Egypt and Lebanon

paper which throws considerable light on the mis-
understanding between England and France with re-
gard 70 the Anglo-Turkish Convention the occupa-
ton of Cyprus and the danger of English influence
becoming paramount in Egypt. Lord Salisbury, in
communication addressed to M. waddnston. dated
July ]. after admitting Fnglands isolation in Europe
and the danger to her Asiatic possessions, says:-
On the other hand Her Majesty government could
not leave Western Asia lying unprotected at the feet
of Russia The prestige of her victories proclaimed
by the conquest and retention OF so well known
fortress ~ kars would have announced her TO Inc
Mesopotamian and other Asiatic populations as the
coming Power. and the existing government would
have lost all hold their hopes aud fears. The dis
integraton and practical absorption of the countries
lying between the and the Persian frontier
must have inevitably followed The interest of
England in the maintenance of the political
status quo in those countries is too great to
allow Her Majesty's government to acquiesc.a
in such result. They have, therefore, thought it
necessary to undertake the onerous obligation OF
defensive alliance with Turkey il Russia should at
which the present negotiations will assign. Her
Majesty s Government cannot perform this engage
mcnt from such distance as Malta. The experience
OF the present war has convinced them that nnder
the existing conditions OF warfare. such task would
be almost impossible. The sultan has, therefore,
assigned England the Island of Cyprus. to be
pied and administered by the British Government
during such time tho defensive alliance shall last
Her Majesty's government have further made an
agreement, of which also enclose copy that when
ever Russia shall from whatever reason, return to
her Asatic frontier it existed before the last war,
they will immediately evacuatc the island. and that
immediately they will annually pay the Sultan what
is ascertancd to be the surplus OF revenue over
expenditure
MINDFUL OF FRENCH FEELING.
Your Excelency is well aware that the advice has
been from various quarters repeatedly pressed upon
Her, Majesty's government to occupy Egypt or at
least take the borders of the Suez Canal. Such
operation might not have been at variance with Eng
lsh interests and would have presented no material
difficulties. But this policy has never been enter
tained by Her Majesys government s web We had re re-
ernment that any such proceeding would be very
unwelcome to the French people. and we could not
but feel the reasonabenesa of their objection under
existing circumstances. Her Majesty's government
have constantly turned deaf to all suggestions of
that kind They have likewise been recommended to
occupy some port on the coast Syria Alex
andretta, but they felt that. however carefully
guarded. such proceeding might. in the present
Of men minds, be construed as indicating
intention to acquire territory the mainland Of
Western Asia, and they did not desire to be sus-
preferred to accept from the Sultan the
geous indeed but still sufcent for the purpose and
not exposed to the Inconvenience have mentioned.
How long the occupation will continue It is mpos-
sibe to foresee; but her Majestys government are
without hope that Russian statesmen will in due
time satisfy themselves that the territory they have
acquired is costly and unproductive will recognize
the futility of any plans which in any quarters may
have been formed for making it stepping stone to
further conquess. and will abandon it as useless
acquisition. In that rdisCn efre at cyprus
will be at an end, and we shall retire.
M. wADDINaroNs REPLY.
NJ waddington's reply was dated July 81. apd com
municated by the Marquis d'Harcourt July 23. The
following the principal points,
The convention signed at Constantinople the Atm
OF June last between England and Turkey and which
not made public until the beginning Of this
month, produced considerable sensation in all
quarters as it became known. This impress
sion has been deeper in France than anywhere
else. II is not that any special predispostion
to receive with misrust to judge with severity
the acts Of the British government. The cordial re-
ations which have for so many years existed between
the two nations to their mutual advantage, the null
tipcity and complexity Of the ties which bind them
to each other the feeling even Of the injury which
may have resulted to each of them in former
times in consequence of their temporary estrange
ment--all these would have been sufficient
to preclude pnblic opinion in France. taken in
conduct OF the Cabinet Of London. even had l. not
been impelled BY long habit to associate, espe-
ciay in Eastern affairs, its cause with that OF
England.
But that which has touched France to the very
heart is the fear that beyond the sphere of those
general interests which link with Great Britain.
those special interests which we protect in the Levant
! and the preservation of which we cannot
give up without the most serious mate
rial and moral detrinent might be en-
dangered in consequence OF the new position as
snmed by the English government. was careful to
indicate tbosd interests by formal reservations before
accepting the invitation to the Congress Of Berlin.
expressly excluded from all discussion the state Of
things existing in the Lebanon the holy places and
IN Egypt All the Cabinets agreed to this reservation.
and the public informed Of It, Was not, then.
the outburst of surprise and uneasiness which took
place in France justified when it was known
in the Mediterranean, situated in the most favor
able strategic aud maritime position for command
ing. at the time. the coasts OF syria and OF
Egypt and that in addition to this direct advantage.
England also was TO acquire right to Intervene
henccforth actively in the administration of all the
territories Of Asia subject to Ottoman jurisdiction?
This current Of public feeling was so natural
in the circumstances under which the Anglo
Turkish Treaty divulged. it was even 20
well foreseen by the clear sighted statesmen
who direct the affairs of Great Britain, that
before making public the treaty Of the 4th of June
unfavorable impression which might form with
regard to it. II was with this view. do not doubt.
that His Excellcncy, In bringing officially to my
knowledge at Berlin. the 7th lust. the convention
signed between safvct Pacha and Mr. Iayard, accom-
have the honor to transmit to you hcrwith copy.
ENGLAND LEFT ALoSf.
This document which in itself Possesses high
value in our eyes. acquires still more valuable sig
nicaton for ,is from the verbal commentaries with
which 1t was accompanied by Her Majesty Princi-
pal Secretary of State ut the interview which, after
receiving his communication, judged IL indispcnsa-
blc to have with him. shall not wait to examine tho
considerations of general character by which Lord
Saisbury's despatch explains charactcrizes the
determination adopted BY the British govern
ment; they expressed in form courteous
TO us and | admit that France and Austria.
having refused to intervene under the conditions pro-
vided for by the treaty of April ~, 1856 England
naturally led 10 act alone and to seek means To
restore her prestige in sa which had been weakened
by the establishment of the Russians in a fortress
important as Kars. But desire here TO coninc my
sell to those passages in which the English Minister
rcpudiaes. in the name of his government, u
policy which would tend TO the acquisition Of
a material footing either in Egypt or only
on the banks OF the Suez Canal or the
tinent of Western Asia. The abandonment Of any
project of occupation Of this kind according to
the Marquis of Salisbury the result Of the desire of
the British government not 10 ouse the suscepti-
bitcs of France. and of their appreciation OF the
Legitimate nature of the objections which
must have raised 10 any such designs. Adopt
ing in my conversations with Her Maiesty's
| Principal Secretary OF State the point of
departure which had been furnished by his
| written commupication, have pointed out to him
that II all objection part TO he removed IL
would BE- necessary for to obtain from the English
government positive declarations Of such u nature as
would definitely France 10 the future of
all these interests which she considers to be con-
ncccd with the enance of the existing state OF
| things In Syria and Egypt
| FRANCE A MEDfTEnRANEAN POWER.
After referring to Frances protcctorate of the