The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-04-09
THE TREATY OF SAN STEFANO.

THE TREATY OF SAN STEFANO.
The full text of the treaty OF San Stefano
has finally reached this country. The treaty
is an extremely lengthy one consisting OF
twenty-nine articles, each of which embraces
some important point surrendered by Turkey
to victorious Russia. The full terms Of the
treaty appear far harsher than as given by
the telegraph and are beyond doubt the most
humiliating and exacting terms to which a
vanquished power has ever been compelled to
submit short Of complete subjugation and
annexation.
Montenegro Servia and ROumania are each
erected into Independent principalities. The
first two receive important concessions OF
territory. the land gained by Montenegro
being almost equal to the present domain of
that petty principally. Bulgaria is erected
into principality nominally tributary to the
Porte, but in reality subject to Russia, since
it is to be occupied by the Russian troops for
two years and to be ruled by prince chosen
by Russia. An important provision made
here Is that all the fortresses of European
Turkey, not only those In Bulgaria but those
in the other provinces as well, shall be de-
stroyed at once at the cost OF the Turkish
government If Russia, therefore, should
conclude not to go to war with England just
now, but to leave the acquisition of the rest
OF Turkey for some future day, by this pro-
vision she leaves the road to COnstantinople
open to her troops, and can at any time
march her army to that city within
week. AS to the other provinces remain
ing nominally tributary to Turkish rule,
the treaty provides for immediate modifi-
cations and improvements In their govern
ment. A special commission is to draw up
new and liberal ordinances for the govern
ment Of Crete, which ordinances are to
be submitted to Russia for her approval.
similar commission Is to suggest such modi-
fications as should be made in Bosnia and
Herzegovina; reforms are also to be intro
duced In the government OF Armenia under
Russian supervision Russia makes no pro-
vision, however, for the Greek provinces of
Turkey, being evidently unwilling to aid or
benefit in any manner the Greek subjects Of
the Porte.
In the matter Of the indemnity demanded
OF Turkey Russia shows as much zeal and
rapacity as the United States did in the mat
ter of the Alabama claims: it claims indem-
mites for the war and the losses entaled by it J;
for the damage to the southern seacoast of
the country, Its commerce, EXPORTS industry
and railways; for the damage to the eau
casls by invasion; for the damage to Russian
subjects and institutions in Turkey, and thus
piles up an immense debt against already
bankrupt Turkey, larger even than the sum
which Germany wrung from France in 1870,
and finally agrees to take a considerable por-
ton OF Turkeys Asiatic dominions in pay
ment therefor. In the matter OF the straits
the treaty says very little; the Bosphorus
and Dardanelles are to be open to neutral YES
sells during war as we'll as peace; nothing,
however, Is said concerning their neutraliza-
ton for men-of-war.
There are score of other provisions, all
equally exacting and equally severe to Tur-
key
The treaty was evidently carefully con-
ceived by Russia, and really gives that coun-
try much more influence and power than
appears on it's face; it makes Russia in fact
universal legatee of the Porte, and paves the
way for an early annexation to Russia OF all
the dominions of Turkey by Russia. 1t is
true that not much territory is gained
by RUSSIA demand for Turkeys domin-
ions would have aroused and armed half
of Europe against the Gar and yet Rus
sia, without appearing to do SO, practically
gains control of far more than half of Turkey
One-third of Turkey in Europe is erected
into the prncpality of Bulgaria, which is to
become more Russian province than Poland
to be occupied by a Russian Governor witt
$4,000 Russian troops; a dozen Russian com
missions are to be appointed to see to the
roads of the country, to provide the form o
government, to arrange disputes between the
Turks and Bulgarians- in fact the province
is to be governed by Russian commissions
For two years this sort of government is tx
continue. Who can doubt but at the end o
that time Bulgaria will be completely Rus
sianized.
Russia will gain equal control over tn
other provinces of Turkey, by means o
, commissions, although not quite so openly
The treaty OF San Stefano provides for a
, least hundred Russian commissions. Their
is to be a Russian commission to sit In Bosni
and Herzegovina and settle the reforms an
? government to be given to the inhabitants c
/ these provinces: to settle disputes betwee
g Christians and Mussulmans; a Russian com
5 mission to form a government Tor Crete;
} Russian commission Is to provide reforms 70
Armenia, etc; in fine every one of the Pre-
3 vnces will be for some time at least unde
. the control and care Of Russia. That powe
t will undoubtedly keep open all these unset
: tied questions as long as possible, and whe
b its various commissions leave Turkish terri
: tory these provinces will be thorough
j Russianized, easy acquisitions for tina
; power, at some future day.
t The full text Of the treaty OF San Stefan
: shows clearly why every European power ha
! become unfriendly towards Russia. Th