The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1878-07-27
THE ANGLO-TURKIsH TREATY.

Among all the surprises which have accom-
panied the Russo-Turkish war and the compli-
Gated questions which were connected with it.,
not the least is the AuglO-Turkish Treaty, the
terms of which have but just come to light.
Briefly stated, they may be summed up as fol-
lows England assumes the protectorate of
Asiatic Turkey, which she agrees to defend from
future Russian aggression, and to enable her TO
do this effectually she takes possession of the
Island Of Cyprus, with the provision that the
Convention shall terminate when Russia gives
up that part of her conquests in Asia Minor
which the Berlin Congress allows her to retain.
One of the stipulations which England makes is,
that she shall be allowed to make such reforms
as she may think necessary in the administration
Of the country she undertakes to protect. Eng
land is to pay Turkey S650,00 yearly, in COM
pensation for the revenue derived from Cyprus.
AS the island is fertile, and possessed of abund-
ant resources, it cannot be doubted that it will
soon become of great value to Great Britain,
commercially, as we'll as in a military point of
view. The island is to be Immediately garrisoned
by 10, 900 Indian troops and several battalions of
British troops. The strong force to be stationed
there shows the Importance which the British
military authorities attach to its possession. 1t
lies within one days steaming from the entrance
to the Suez Canal, and much nearer to the coast
Of Asiatic Turkey. England will, undoubtedly,
erect Notifications at the more prominent and
salient points, and thus establish a military CEN
ter from which she can without delay dispatch
expeditions in either direction. AS she CONSOLE
dates her power on the main land, the expediency
of a railroad from a convenient point opposite
Cyprus across the country to the Euphrates, or
the head of the Persian Gulf, will early engage
her attention as a means of keeping open a more
convenient and rapid communication with her
Eastern Empire. The possibility of such a road
being built is by no means remote, and when it is
accomplished, Russia is completely checked, in
this direction, from approaching Central Asia or
India. Thus it would appear that the Sultan's
Asiatic dominions are safe from invasion from the
north while this protectorate lasts, and the Gar
may possibly prefer to give up Kars, Arabian
and BatOum, rather than thus confront an obsta-
Gle which will grow greater every day it lasts.
The world has hitherto been given to deriding
the craftsmanship and diplomatic ability of
Disraeli, and some have even gone so far as to
nickname him the Juggler of Europe" but this
specimen of his diplomacy takes the world by
surprise. His policy has heretofore been noted
more for its frmness than its brilliancy; perhaps
we should have said obstinacy, for did he not
tell Bismarck the other day that he did not 60 to
Berlin to yield to demands-in other words, to
make them. Whatever objections may be raised
by the protesting Powers, he has declared that
England will submit the Treaty to no ones
judgment but her own. What further proof do
we need of his frmness-or obstinacy? OF the
possible alternative, lie could not be Ignorant.