The Democratic advocate., 1878-07-06
The European Peace Congress.

Neither Turkey nor Russia has auv
great cause for exultation over the arbi-
tration of the Peace Congress. While the
former nation was lighting to maintain the
integrity of her possessions, and the latter
as obstinately contended by an invasive
war TO extend her territory, both parties
are completely foiled, and evidently have
lost the object of so much strife and car
mage. Turkey exhausted 10 resources. can
offer no resistance to the decree of parti-
tion that adjudges to Austria the provinces
Of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Sultan
powerless to protect sees his empire re-
duced to protectorate under the sheltering
wing of Great Britain. Russia fares little
better. She has fought her way to the
gates Of Constantinople, and though her
armies are encamped around the city. it
seems like the mirage of the desert, rece-
ding as we approach, and is now as far
from the grasp Of Museovite host as it
was before they set out on their line of
march for the Illusion. The masterly
policy of Bismarck has Incorporated Bull
garia with Roumania under Charles of
Hohenzolleren. Thus the province taken
from Turkey by Russia is transferred to n
Germanic prince, and the Danube made
a boundary to Russian encroachments ON
the new principality. BeacOnsfeld has
insisted, as n preliminary, to the recogni-
tion of Servian and Montenegrin indepen
dence that the disabilities Of the Jews in
those provinces shall be removed.
To Austria, that has not fred a gun,
have been conceded two provinces that
were under Moslem rule for three centu-
ries. Crete will probably be ceded to
Greece, and such concessions be made to
England as may render new map of Eu-
rope indispensable-to the geographical
student.-BaLtinl0re Herald.
If the cable dispatches can be relied on,
diplomacy is great thing after all, and
the European Congress Weaderful peace
maker. England is as jubilant as if she
had gained every point she demanded
some months ago, and Russia Is as happy
as if the conquest of Turkey was complete
Both powers claim to have come off vic
toriOus in the conference so far, and the
greatest danger now looming up is the
prospect of quarrel as to which has the
best cause to be proud and happy.
The English put the best face upon the
results by telling us that Beaconsfeld has
out-generaled Gortschakoff, Turkey will
retain its autonomy and her Asiatic pro-
vinces will be ruled by Pashas to suit Her
Majesty, under the direct supervision of
English representatives. This looks like
an immense concession by Russia though
it is long way from what England de-
manded when she objected to the treaty
of San Stefano.
The Russians claim that all the fruits
of their late struggle viii be fully realized
by the territorial acquisition allowed, and
by the recognition of the necessity and
righteousness of the war by the Congress
an sauctioning its results. Thus both pro-
fess to be very happy while the outside
world will wait curiously to see what the
exact work of the Congress amounts to-
Que thing is very certain, neither power
has won what it set out to achieve. Eng
land demurred to any acquisition of Turk
ish territory by Russia, complained that
any extension of the Cars boundaries en-
dangered her interests and honor, and
even went so far as to intimate that moth
ing would satisfy her less than the COM
plete return of Russia to the yoke put
upon her by the Treaty of Paris Eng
lands retreat from this extreme was
large concession, but her surrender of a
European Turkey, whatever may be its
extent, is practical triumph for Russia,
which will assuredly advance her lines to-
ward Western Europe.
On the other hand, Russia set out to
crush Turkey and possess herself of Con-
stantinople. Anything less than this
would be inadequate to compensate her
for the sacrifices she has made. The
treaty of San Stefano was moderate enough
compared with Russia's original aims, and
the cost to which the war had subjected
her. To be satisfied with so much less,
as the English dispatches assure us, is a
long descent from what we had right to
expect would be the limit of Russian ex-
action.-Boltimore Daily Ne,cs