Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-03-16
Changed European Conditions.

twenty-five years have wrought great
changes in the relations of the European
powers. The congress of Paris at the begin
ming and the congress of Berlin at the end of
this period are the historical opponents of
their respective epOchs. Their very names
are suggestive of the important fact, that the
crown of European pre- eminence has been
wreSted from France and now adorns the En-
peror of Germany. The treaty of Berlin, If
Europe shall be favored with such document,
will annul the treaty of Paris. The year 1856
saw the signature of the latter. The powers,
soon to reaSsemble. then engaged to respect
the independence of the Ottoman Empire.
Declaration was made that 1T is clearly I'M
derstOOd that ii cannot in any case give to the
said powers the right to- interfere either col
lectiyely or separately in the relations of his
majesty the Sultan with his subjects, nor in
the internal administration of his empire"
By special agreement Great Britain. France,
and Austria, Jointly and Severaly, guaranteed
the indepen dence and integrity of the Otto
man Empire, and declared that any infractiOn
of the StipulatiOnS of the treaty of Paris would
be considered by them a sufficient cause for
war. All these barriers against Russian ag
gre sion have long been the merest rubbish,
hardly ObStTucting a course of events which
they seemed pOwerless to prevent. The
sooner they are formally tossed aside
the better. The frmness of the Eng
hsh representatives at the congress of
Paris fastened severe terms on conquered
Russia, which have not, however, been so
easily shaken Off stringent they undOubt-
edly WERE" says Mr.. Theodore Martin in his
Life of the Prince COnSOrt, FOR they involved
an acknowledgment of humbling defeat i'm the
stipulatiOnS that she should thencefOrth erect
no military or naval arsenals i'm the Black
Sea, which was to be absolutely closed to yes
Sells of war, and that she should consent to the
rectiticatiOn of her frontier with Turkey i'm
Europe. This. Russia knew, involved the sur
render of that portion of Bessarabia
which bOrdered on the Danube and
in all her history Russia had never given
back any territory which she had once
appropriated" With BeSsarabia restored
to its original proportions, the last trace
OF RusSia's humiliation will be effaced. 1t
remains to be seen whether the powers which
guaranteed TO the ROumanians the possession
OF their privileges and immunitieS will permit
the injustice to be done them which robbery
OF part OF their territory involves So much
Tor the congress of Paris. The assembly at
befnh VIII meet under greatly changed con-
uitlOnS. Russia appears as a cOnquerOr this
Time. France has lost much of her military
prestige Germany, which was admitted at
farlS only by sufferance and in a manner to
humlliate her, now presides. Austria is still the
same, ever strong on the strongest side"
watching an opportunity to do a good
stroke of business. England served as a spur
on the measures at Paris: she will act as q
check on those at Berlin. Her great aim now
Is a combination with Austria which will ena-
Ole her to speak with authority and to sustain
# in the bold position which she is almost
certain to assume. Many difficulties wait upon
the coming conference. A collision between
the representatives of England and Russia
seems inevitable. The former nation has Suf-
fered no crushing military defeat to cause it
to recede from positions which it has before
defended by force of arms, and the latter,
elated by its recent victory, seems disposed to
carry matters with high hand. 1t Is to be
hoped that the struggle in diplomacy may not
prove the precursor OF one of more serious
nature.