The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-06-27
THE BERLIN CONGRESS,

1t Is now some weeks since the European
congress first assembled at Berlin. This con-
gress is undoubtedly the most memorable
diplomatic body that has met in Europe since
the celebrated Congress of Vienna, that wiped
out all the eonduests and changes OF Napo-
leon and remodeled the map of Europe.
The treaty of Paris of 1856 will not begin to
compare with it in Importance; that was O
mere dodge to postpone the Eastern question
for o few years. This question has again
| forced itself to the 'front.' and this time de-
mands final settlement 1t is for this settle
ment Beaconsfield announces that he has
gone to Berlin. Russia is interested In keep
ing this question open; England in retiring
it entirely from the politics of the future
| The policy and actions of Beacorsfeld at
Berlin have been surprise from the very
beginning. His course has all along been as
dramatic as some of the heroes of his novels:
1t has been series Of surprises and bluffs;
and yet he has not sacrificed anything sub
stantial for a scene, but has already scored a
dozen important diplomatic victories for
England. That country for the first time in
half a century, has assumed the leading DO
sition in European diplomacy to which her
wealth, strength and power entitle her. The
opposition made by England to the treaty of
San Stefano has caused most important mod
tfcations to be made in that treaty. The very
congress itself Is an English victory, since
the Gar, with million of men in the field, |
was compelled to yield to the demands of
Great Britain on this, as on all other important
questions after having distinctly and en- |
phatically threatened to choose war In pref. |
erence.
Thus the story has been from the beginning.
Russia refused to leave the treaty of San
Stefano to the congress, but finally yielded;
refused to admit Greece but has given up
this point. The other concessions made by
Russia in the matter of the treaty wrenched
by her from Turkey are most important; and,
with very little more yielding on her part.
Ill Will be gained that Is necessary to insure
universal and permanent peace. Bosnia
and Herzegovina are to be surrendered to
Austria. This will strengthen Austria and
prevent the organization by Russia of q strong
Slavic province, friendly and favorable 10 her ]
interests In the heart of the Turkish empire. s
The first act of the congress, therefore, robs I
turkey OF 80, 900 square miles and 100000 in 7
labitants It appears also to be the intention /
4 England to move the Greek frontier as far I
orth as possible, probably to the Balkans; @
nd thus to organize strong Hellenic power G
ut of the Turkish provinces to resist the on {
ard march Of Pan-Slavic Russia It Is q
carcely possible that Russia will object to O
UGH action, and as to Turkeys objections, q
1ey really are scarcely worth consideration,
ill never be even listened to- Sc
4
can congress, under the leadership of Bea- Il
onsfield, proposes to rob Turkey of its most $
Important provinces which the treaty of San
tefano did not interfere with at all. Victo- m
Gus Russia did not dare demand of Turkey w
he surrender of Bosnia, Herzegovina, Thes- CO
lly and Albania, but Turkeys friends, who r
ent into the congress to assist her. rob her sc
those provinces that Russia has spared her. p
addition to these losses Turkey will lose q sc
lrtion OF her territory given to Montenegro, e
lother portion donated to Servia, and lastly m
ulgaria, with an area of $4,000 square miles Il
I'd 100000 inhabitants; that is, Turkey will SC
thoroughly divided up among her neigh of
RS, with the exception of Constantinople ne
Id the surrounding provinces. Strange to be
y, Russia, which has gone to the expense Of pt
heavy war, and which has sacrifi ced hun ed
eds of thousands of lives, gains far less by sc
9 congress than any of the other powers, B,
curing only Bessarabia and few insignifi- an
Mt dismantled and worthless fortresses In w
'ia. In no successful war has Russia ever te
ined so little as in this late war that cost oh
L so many lives and so much money. Her co
tories hitherto have always been followed as
large acquisitions of territory; but this WE
ne the war leaves her little more than the fo
re honor Of victory nh
But II Russia promises to fare badly by the tn
ngress Turkey will fare much worse. Moth sh
: will be left of Turkey in Europe save the ha
ovince of Roumelia, the Turkish ques- no
n being solved by driving the Turks out of If
rope. 20,
There seems to be every reason to believe In,
~ me results hnally decided on by the tit
rim conference will be permanent, although, m,
course, there is good deal of grumbling mn
er them just now. The Berlin congress is ~,
IDENTITY intent upon settling all the ques- dr.
MS finally, and there seems to be every ho,
Obabllity of its doing so. The Berlin con- W.
ess Will mark several most important oef
ents In modern European history; the set VII
ment OF the Eastern question; the virtual -
Junction OF Turkish power in Europe, and Loo
acknowledged supremacy of England in &c
ropean counsels, ON all of which events ~,
rope and the whole world are to be con- +he
~. VIZ
he outlook, therefore, is peace, permanent bo
ice, unless some unlucky accident breaks hIo
the congress before final agreement can Wv ~.
arrived at. ooi
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