Smyrna times., 1878-07-17
Lord Beaoonsfeld and England.

Lord Beaconsfield is the hero of the
hour. His masterstroke has dazzled Eu-
rope as we'll as England. The Congress
apparently acquiesces in the cession of
Cyprus and the Asiatic Protectorate.
Prince Bismarck is reticent, but as he has
repeatedly urged the British Government
to occupy Egypt, he will not be apt to
oppose the present scheme. Austria has
gained not a little by the policy Of grab,
and good-humoredly recognizes the skill
and success of a companion in the same
game. France glances uneasily at her
former possessions in Syria, and at the
canal which was followed out by her
engineers but her heart is not set upon
foreign conquest She has relinquished
the idea of finding another Algeria in the
East. Her praise has hollow sound-M.
Gambetta seems, indeed, to be very angry
but it is not likely that she will cherish
any lasting resentment for her Western
ally. Russia has secured Bessarabia and a
large slice of Armenia and acts with grace
and selfpossession, not makinga bad matter
worse by losing her temper. While Lord
Beaconsfield's triumph is acknowledged
abroad, he is idolized at home. He has
won by diplomacy more than Lord Pal
merston achieved by war. The sacrifice of
principle and the questionable methods by
which the deliberative powers of Parlia-
ment have been neutralized are momentar
lily forgotten.
1t is a great triumph, as such things 60
The prestige of England in Europe stands
higher to-day than it has since the Battle
of Waterloo. This restoration Of her in
huence is an unmixed good. Too long has
she withdrawn her attention from the Con
| 4 l. ~
home rule. The cannon of Missundt
ought to have aroused her in 1864. ShC
has now resumed her rightful place.
But this is not the only respect in which
the world gains by the Premier's diplomacy
The spirit of optimism, which accepts re
suits without inquiring into causes o
worrying over tendencies, broods over tina
UNANIMOUSLY governed country, which ha
been placed under the protection of tn
British Crown. The alliance is merely
defensive one, and the territory ceded
small; but the benefits of Western civilizf
ton will not be confined to the 125,00
CypriOte Greeks. 1t will ultimately
the mission Of England to put an end
: rapacity and cruelty in Asiatic Turkey,
! rebuild the ruined cities, and restore tn
energies of a crushed population, to abolis
slavery and polygamy, and to light tore
in those benighted lands that will illumin
. and not destroy. In the sight of EuroT
she has made herself responsible for tn
good government Of the Sultan's domil
, ions. Her own instincts, her own col
science will force her to keep her faitl
She can and must do in Asia Minor whs
/ she has already done in India. When til
Mogul Empire went to pieces, and thel
: was anarchy throughout the Indian PsniI
. sula, she adopted a comprehensive polio
, of annexation, under which she governs t.
: day two hundred million subjects arbtr
: rily, and yet benefcently She has a
4 sumed the moral obligation to do the san
work in Asia Minor, where the Ottoma
!, Empire is crumbling to the ground. 1t
Il an enormous responsibility, but she W
not shrink from it. But right here op
. mism loses its breath and stares the Futu
: out of countenance. The old question !
: turns with renewed force. England W
! already staggering under the burdens
> India, South Africa and the colonies. w
. ! it wise to doubt the load without t
y y knowledge and consent of Parliament
u u Of the nation? Certainly Lord Beacol
y field is the only Englishman who wou
. have ventured to decide so momentou'
: question himself.-R. y. Tribune.