New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-07-15
RnRnPRAN PE1CE.

EUROPEAN PEACE.
The peace-makers have signed the treaty
of Berlin, exchanged compliments and photo
graphs, and returned to their capitals
Throughout the Continent there is sense
of relief, and in three cities, London,
Vienna and St. Petersburg there are signs
of exultaton. This is something larger
than a national or personal triumph. The
new treaty is record of diplomatic successes
and compromises by which the Powers have
been brought into harmony and peace has
been restored III Southeastern Europe. While
the Courts have played fast and loose among
themselves, they have labored in the interests
of two continents.
The main work of the Congress has been
the substitution of three agents for one III
the regeneration Of Turkey. BY the Treaty OF
San StefanO the reconstruction OF the Balkan
peninsula and of Armenia was Entrusted
to a single Power. Imperial commissions were
multiplied the Slav allies of Russia were lid
orally rewarded an enormous State was con-
stituted under the pressure of military
force; and the Car acquired pre-
dominating influence over the Porte
By the Treaty of Berlin Russian prestige has
been hedged in. Austria has been given
foothod in the North, where she can exert a
commanding influence over Seryla ana
Montenegro, and watch the tendencies
of Turkish rule in Albania. 30 strong
is the irritation caused by the retro
cession of Bessarabia, that the Roumanlan
court will be brought into close relations
with the Hapsburg. At the same time the
Porte has been brought under the restraints
of British diplomacy. Although the treaty
does not sanction the cesson of Cyprus and
the establishment of the Protectoratc
the Congress has virtually acquiesced in Lord
BeacOEsfeld's scheme. In future, England
will not only stand ready to declare war IL
the Russians cross the new Armenian frontier
but will also have an authoritative voice
i'm determining the destiny OF Aslauc turkey.
Meanwhile, Russia has retained her direct
conduests. with the exception of Bayazid ana
the Alashllert Valley, and has earned the
gratitude and cooperation OF the Bull
garians and their fellow Slays. She has
resumed her place as DanuDian
Power, and in Asia has won harbor
and a line of fOrtresses so that hereafter Er-
zerum will be a frontier town Her allies
Seryia and Montenegro, have not got all that
she bargained for, and the inheritance OF the
race for whom she fought has been d.
yided, bat the new treaty registers the
browning results of her victorious cam
pagns. Two great states, which refused
wear ago to join her in enforcing the de-
mands of the Constantnope conference, now
share with her the responsibility of putting an
end to misgovernment in the East. If, when
the Russian Army crossed the Pruth, Austria had
occupied Bosnia and an English fleet had been
sent to ConstantinOpc, the world would have
been spared terrible war, for the Turks
would have surrendered without a struggle
The indirect cooperation of the three Powers
now forms a broad basis of peace.
But the Treaty of Berlin contains other
guarantees of peace. Three principal
tiles have been released from tributary
dependence upon the POrte-a condi-
ton which has always been a cause OF
war in the East. Scryia, Montenegro
and Roumania will have nothing to gain by
intriguing with Russia, and their sympathies
will not be excited by outrages IN Bosnia
and Bulgaria. They will seek peace
and ensue it, and will resent inter
ference from their more powerful ncighbors
The only quarters where a renewal OF hostili-
ties is TO be apprehended are the Thessalian
frontiers, where the Greeks have not been
suffered to enlarge their territory, and
the new province of East Roumelia,
which has been cut OIL from Bul-
raria. But wherever revolt may be kindled
the Drincipalites on the borders will not take
fire like dry finder, as in the past So long as
these ambitious and restless states were not
wholly independent, the peace of Southeastern
Europe was menaced. That menace has now
been removed.
The Berlin Congress has thus opened way
for the permanent pacifcation of the East.
II has been in session only four weeks, and
has done its work expeditiousy ard
sagaciously. The questions which it has
determined are as complex as they
are momentous. 1t does not rank
with the Congress of Westphalia, nor
with that of Vienna. but it comes next to
them. After those historical councils, there
were long unbroken levels of European peace.
May it be so now