Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-07-17
The European Congress.

The Berlin Peace Congress has concluded
its session, and the world is to be congratu-
lated upon its successful mission. A terrible
war has been averted, tranquility restored
throughout Europe, and the rights of the
Christians in Turkey secured. In the divi.
sion of the spoils England carries off Cyprus
and accepts the protectorate of the Turkish
realm, rather undesirable burden. Russia
secures Bessarabia, Batoum and a part of
Armenia. Austria acquires contingent pos
session of Bosnia, Herzegovina, a railroad
strip and one side Of the bay of Antinari.
Roumania gets the Dobrudja. Servia and
Montenegro become independent. Bulgaria,
Thessaly, Epirus and Crete secure autonomy.
Even Greece, though dissatisfied, gains rec
tifcation of her frontier.
Upon the whole the division seems to be
fair, although England gains most valua-
BILE property in Cyprus. 1t has an area of
four hundred square miles, population of
two hundred thousand, and its possession
will give England control of the Eastern
Mediterranean. 1t seems little singular
that Germany, although represented by that
willy diplomat Bismarck, takes nothing, al
though it is evident that any increase of
territory in that section would be likely TO
prove more of burden than an advantage to
it. We suspect, however, that there is a
" cat in the meal in some of the fifty-seven
articles, by which the interests Of Germany
will be subserved.
The text of the treaty between Turkey
and Great Britain makes these provisions
If Batoum, Kars and Arabian are retained
by Russia, and if, at any future time, an at
tempt is made by Russia to annex any part
of Asiatic Turkey, Great Britain is to de
fend Turkey by force of arms. In return,
Turkey allows the Island of Cyprus TO be
occupied by Great Britain, who agrees to
pay to Turkey the present excess of the
revenues of the island over its expenditures
If Russia relinquishes the three fortified
cities aforementioned, Great Britain prom.
ises to evacuate Cyprus. This brings the
two great powers more nearly face to face in
Turkey than they have ever been on the
Indian frontier. There could be no reason
able objection made to the victorious Cars
retaining his conquests in Asiatic Turkey
But it seems to be thought necessary that a
Russian acquisition in that quarter should
be followed by British step in the same
direction. Great Britain is promised that
reforms shall be introduced into Asia Minor
and that power is bound to see that those
reforms are carried out. In other words
Great Britain must police Asiatic Turkey
on the eastern border of which Russia vii
undoubtedly maintain an armed watch.
This extension of British influence is il
the interest of civilization. Where thu
Anglo-Saxon goes, improvement follows
English rule has exercised a most benefcen
influence in India. 1t has developed vas
commerce, brought out the resources of TIN
country, built up railroads and other mean
of communication, established justice anc
ameliorated the general condition of tn
people, The Anglo Turkish treaty does no
contemplate that England shall stretch he
hand into the political organization of ASH
Minor, as she has into India but the ten
dency will be in the same direction. A
ready she proposes railroad through tn
valley of the Euphrates This region wi
thus be made highway to India and wi
catch the influence of the stream of con
merce and civilization which will pou
through it. Turkish rule which has bee
decaying so long will still further relax it
force and English ascendency will becom
still more marked. Of course, no immediat
and sweeping revolution is to be expected
The change is not the work of day or
year, or ten years. But the Anglo-Saxo
sway cannot be extended over any Ian
without moral social and economic az
vancement, and its spread in the East is
: matter for congratuation.