Litchfield enquirer., 1878-01-10
England's Interest in Turkey.

There is undoubtedly strong party in Eng land who wish to go to war with Russia. The traditional English policy would unquestiona- ply favor war, provided there is any reasona- ble hope of success. The fear of Russian ag- gression on India, and on the Suez Canal which is now the chief highway to India, would no dsubt be the chief reasons for such course. Another is undoubtedly the fear that possession of the Black Sea and of right of egress therefrom, even without the possession of Constantinople, would make Russia dan gerous maritime rival. That Germany and Austria would consent to permanent Rus sian occupation of Constantinople, no one can believe but it is by no means certain that Austria and Germany would interfere with the Russian conquest of Armenia, or of even larger portion of Turkey in Asia. It is on the Asiatic side only that Great Britain has to fear any large accession ofterritory by Russia and even there, if late telegraphic reports are to be credited, Russia will claim important militia ry rather than important territorial acquisi- tions. In demanding permanent possession of Kars and Batoum, Russia protects herself and perhaps threatens future aggression, but pro- poses very moderate accession of territory.
 If we recall the facts which have occasioned the present war it will appear that Russia can hardly be expected to act as Grand Constable of Europe; to sacrifice the lives of hundred thousand of her soldiers on the field of battle, and millions of money, without any compen- sation. The occasion of the war was the Fur kish misgovernment of her own provinces. The massacres in Bulgaria created profound sensation even in England. In the subsequent conference of the Great Powers, Turkey abso- lutely refused to give any guaranty of good government in fAture, such as those powers thought sufficient. The only way to compel reform of the abeminable tyranny of the Otto mans in Europe, and to make the requirements of the conference effectual was to go to war. Only Russia was willing to do this and, after an arduous campaign and heavy expendi- ture of men and money, Turkey will plainly be obliged to yield unless England comes to her assistance The Russian claims for indenl- nifty for the expenses of her war are said to be very moderate-such as would be satisfactory to all but the traditional war partyof England. Will that party take Great Britain into anoth- CT of those great continental contests waged by Marlborough the Pitts, and Palmerston, which have piled up her mountain of debt and made her the paymaster of Europe:
 In fact international politics is heather system: Justice, honesty, and fair play are scarcely recognized in the dealings of great na- tions with each other Here is one of the fin est provinces of-all Europe, ruined for centl- ries by the jealousy and selishness of neigh boring nations. Had even the religious senti- ment that led to the Crusades survived to mod ern times, the Turk would have been swept l out of Europe, centuries ago. Year by year the disgrace of his continuance has been more palpable and more keenly felt. Turkey is no better governed, to-day: it is doubtful wheth- CT she is as we'll governed as when Constanti- nople fell, more than four centuries ago. Tur- kish government was never more than an or ganized barbarism; and it never can be any thing more, 80 long as it legalizes polygamy and slavery, and is itself the slave of the most murderous religious bigotry now known in Flu rope. Yet this monstrous nightmare paralyz ing the noblest provinces of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, must be kept in place by Great Britain out of mere jealously and selfish ness.
 We are no admlrer of Russia. Yet pol
 ygamy and slavery are now at least, un
 known there; and, despotic as is her govern
 ment, it has shown itself permeable by moderr ideas and ohln to .-,Ai'>,- -L---.s7 >.'."'e' "s those ideas Her government would certainly be an improvement on Turkish government
 But it is not proposed that the provinces south
 of the Danrhe should be given to Russia. They
 ro be allowed only some sort of self-con
 trol. It is merely proposed to remove the
 camp of the barbarian invader and, ,toprevent
 this and to ward off some fancied danger to
 her Indian Empire or her road to that Empire
 England is ready to fight for polygamy, slave ry, and Mohamedanism