The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-02-08

What will follow the Russian seizure Of
Constantlnoplc no one can foresce inn
aginc, or calculate. The event is of tran
scendent Importance, even though there
Is little probability that the Russians
will remain there for any length
of time. II not merely indicates the com.
plcte prostration of the Turkish power; II
Is not merely evidence Of the full triumph
of the Russian arms but it raises before
the eyes of Western Europe n great fact
Of far more importance. II shows that
Russia can take Constantinope That
Is the great fact. II shows that while
Austria stands back and England refuses
to act, Russia can in few weeks of time
march her armies from her frontier TO the
Golden Horn, and confront any enemy
that may challenge her on the Black
sea, the Sea Of Marmora, or the Helespont.
Let her evacuate Constantinople when she
may; let her transport her armies from
there to the Crimea, or march them back by
the way OF the Balkans and the Danube; she
has shown that there is in Turkey itself
no longer any obstacle 10 her SELF
ure of the capital that she cannot
easily and quickly overcome This fact, SO
pregnant with far-reachng consequences.
So menacing 10 the peace of onc-half the
world, so perilous To the political CONNER
cial and military interests Of the Western
nations, and especially 10 Euglands SUI
premacy in her Asatic dominions, will not
fail to Toe duly apprehcnded hy the states
men Of all the nations Of Europe.
When England became alarmed, some
months ago. over the Russian advance
3 q.
his armies would not occupy Constant-
noplc even temporarily, unless that step
were rendered necessary bymilitary events.
But it may be taken for granted that he
anticipated its occupation from the first,
OF al least since he felt assurance
Of Turkeys conquest. The occupation of
the cnrmy's capital was demanded by the
Russian army as Il sign Of triumph; it was
demanded by Russian sentiment and hatred
Of Mohannucdaui-m it was regarded az the
s"ol of Russian authority in the reconstruct
tlon 81 the Turkish provinces; it was called
~ a. note OF defiance TO England;
and it WAS easy, under the crcum-
-iunc''-. 10 make it ont a military necessity.
When RUSSIA crossed the Balkans, and Iur-
key sued fur peace through the plcnipotcn-
tnrlo7 sent to Kc.nnlik. the protocol was
the result. But besides the articles Of
the protocol, there was a secret provision
agreed upon, and the secret was so
we'll kept, both by Russia and Turkey,
that the British Government got no
hint of IT, and the other Governments were
equally ignorant Of it. It permitted the Rus
slams Ia advance upon ConstantinOple. The
very first dispatches about the Kezanlik
negotiations contained rumors OF such a
proyisun but they were denied by the
Russian official press; no Importance
was given 10 them, and even the
British Ministry assured Parliament that
had no information about them. Wnon
the protocol Was sent to England, after it had
rJcN,od the assent of Germany and Austria,
40 alllSion to the matter was found in it,
and la no quarter did there appear any sus-
oiclon of its existence. 1t was a part Of the
secret diplomacy Of Russia, which the
world discovered only after it had been
carried ont No wonder that England is
excited; that the air Is filled with cries Of
Russian perdy, and that all parties in
Parliament agree TO vote the extra war
grant before pleuipotcntiaues are sent to
.hc Conference.
There is no doubt whatever that had Eng
and been made aware Of Russians purpose,
she would herself have occupied and held
ronstantinople before the arrival Of the
Russian army. At the commencement y the
war upon Turkey, Lord DERRY informed the
Russian Government that England would
maintain her neutrality as long as Constan-
tnoplo and the Suc2 canal wore not mcnaccd
but that she would regard any advance upon
these ms an attack upon herself 1t was
then that the car gave his promise, the
breach Of which now impcrils the peace OF
Europe" only a fortnight ago, when it was
reported that the Russian army was on
the way to Gallipoi, the British
iloet under Admiral IIoRNsBY was
hastily ordered to that point, with instruc
tons to defend both GallipGll and Con
s'anllhople. The Russian Government
then ayowed that its army would approach