Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1878-04-20

THE following is the circular
issued to the great powers of Europe
by the British Government, ex-
pressing its position in reference to
the proposed conference:
Her Majesty's Government deep
ly regrets Russia's decision. Even
if a considerable portion of the stip-
ulations of the treaty were likely to
be approved, Russia's reservation
relative to their discussion would
nevertheless be open to most serious
objection. Every material stipula-
tion of the treaty involved a de-
parture from the treaty of 1856, and
the declaration signed in London i'm
1871. 1t is impossible for her
Majesty's Government to acquiesce
in withdrawal from the cognizance
of the powers of articles which are
notifications of existing treaties.
The combined effect of the stipula-
tiOns upon the interest of the pow
ers also furnished a conclusive rea-
son against the separate discussion
of any one portion of them. By
the articles relative to new Bulgaria
a strong Sclav State will be created
under the auspices and control of
Russia, which will thus secure a
preponderating political and COM
mercial influence in the Black and
Kgean seas, and a considerable
Greek population, although it views
the prospect with alarm, will be
merged into a SclaV community
alien to it. The provisions by
which Russia will practically choose
a ruler for Bulgaria, while a Russian
administrator frames and a Russian
army controls the first working of
its institution, sufficiently indicate
of what political system it will in
future form part. The stipulations
for the better government of Thes-
slay and Epirus, in themselves
highly commendable, are accom-
panied by conditions, the general
effect of which win be to increase
the power of Russia, tOthe prejudice
of Greece, and every other country
having interests. in the Eastern
Mediterranean. The territorial
severance of COnstantinople from
the European provinces still left un-
der its government will deprive the
Porte ofany political strength which
might have been derived from their
inhabitants to the serious risk Of
anarchy. The acquisition of Bessa-
rabia and Batoum makes Russia
dominant over all the vicinity of
the Black sea, while the acquisition
of Armenian stronghOlds secures her
influence over the population of the
province, and enables her to arrest
the trade between Europe and
Persia. The idemnity stipulated for
is evidently beyond Turkeys means,
even not considering the portion Of
her revenue hypOthecated to ether
countries.
Its mode of payment being vague
ly stated, it may thus be demand
ed Immediately, left to weigh down
the Porte's independence for many |
years, commuted for more territory, |
or be made the means of entirely |
subordinating Turkish TO Russian |
policy. The combined effect of the |
treaty stipulations is to depress
almost to the point of entire subjec- |
tion the political Independence Of
the Porte. 1t can not be otherwise |
than matter Of extreme solicitude
to Great Britain that Government |
whose formal jurisdiction extends
over geographical positions of the |
deepest interest to her, should be so |
closely pressed by the political out
posts of a greatly superior power
that its Independent action and |
even existence is almost impossible. |
Large changes will doubtless be |
necessary In hitherto existing |
treaties. England earnestly desires |
good government and peace and
freedom for populations to whom |
those blessings have been strange. |
She would willingly have entered a |
congress in which the stipulatiOns
could be examined as whole but |
neither British interests nor the |
well-being of the Turkish provinces |
would be consulted by the assem-
bling of a congress restricted by |
Prince GortschakOfs latest rescrva-
tions.