The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-01-24
Will the Eastern Question BE Solved
by Reviving the Greek Empire NJ
Constantinoples


pire in Europe may be delayed for short
while by the defence of the interests which
its disruption may threaten it cannot be
averted. The "Sick Man" is in ertren'is,
and even the loudest promises of aid that
may be given him by the only Power that
is interested in prolonging his exist
ence cannot galvanize his limbs for
further defence. He must die, and that
perhaps sooner than Europe expects. He
must pass from the family Of civilized ma
tons into the realms OF national death, his
departure fastened, compelled by the same
means that brought him into national life
namely the sword. Could we penetrate
the inscrutable designs OF Providence and
discover the purposes for which the Turk
ish Empire was permitted to develop and
exist in Europe it would not be so difficultas
we now find it to comprehend the mission OF
| that Power and to reconcile a history barren
| of all that is good, merciful and progressive
with the physical and moral welfare OF
| mankind. Bnt as this knowledge is not
given to US, as all remains shrouded in the
mystery of the Eternal Intelligence. we must
rest satisfied with regarding the existence Of
such an anomalous Power as only tempo
rary condition in the worlds social and
political economy-one which has served an
unknown purpose, and, when ceasing, leaves
certain valuable lessons to rulers and
peoples.
In dealing with the grave questions that
will surround the effacement Of Turkish
power in Europe we must recognize the
tact that as in matter the addition or with
drawal of any body to or from mass causes
a general though unequal disturbance Of its
particles, so in the political organization
Of the human family the removal Of any
member affects more or less all that
remain. The delicate balance Of
power which may be termed politi-
cal equilibrium is sensitive to the
least disturbing influence A friction Of
interests produces those feelings OF sus-
picion or jealousy whence all international
difficulties spring. Some of these are salts
fed or removed only by war, while others
remain o continual source Of irritation and
q menace to peace. Even successful war
does not always settle international ques-
tions. The conqueror, though strong in his
triumph, is always suspicious of the con-
quered, while the latter dreams only Of
revenge. Hence the one maintains great
armies at immense cost in order to
retain his spoils, while the other strains
every effort to create means of winning
back what he has lost and of avenging de-
feat. These conditions invariably precede
and follow the political problems which, in
diplomatic language, are termed 'ques-
tons" We have the Schleswig- Holstein
question, the Franco-German question,
the Eastern question. The latter, being
the foundation Of the present war, is
without doubt the gravest, although, posi-
bly,, nearest solution. 1t is by far the most
complicated Of the three named, because it's
influence extends further from the imme-
date centre Of dispute, greater number of
interests have to be recognized in it's settle
ment, and as these are extremely conflicting
the difficulty of reconciling them is gener-
ally regarded as very great.
Let us briefly note what these interests
are First, there are those of Christianity
and civilization, to say nothing of simple
humanity, which demand the expulsion of
the Turk from the fairest regions Of
Europe, which he has for four centuries
drenched with the blood of mar
tyred peoples and made the most sacred
institutions the prey of his fanaticism.
All the Powers Of Europe would be willing
to join in crusade against the Ottoman for
a Al
interests stand in the way and create those
international jealousies that have been
the main protection of the Turks for over
a century. Between the sentimental and
the practical in politics nations do not hest
tate nowadays. Amodern crusade against the
infidel such as once united Europe for the
recovery of the holy places in Palestine, is
an impossibility. Fleets and armies are
now organized and equipped for other pur-
poses than upholding abstract religious
ideas. England, for instance, sends her
iron-clads to Besika Bay, within q few hours
steaming of Gallipoli, because she fears the
Russian and for her Indian Empire, and
not because she loves the Turk or cares
who holds Jerusalem. Russia has her
traditional policy to pursue, which aims at
the seizure Of Constantinople and the ex-
tension Of her frontiers to the Mediterra-
mean. Germany, new Power, remember
ing that her unity and influence depend on
her dominant military strength, regards her
ally, Austria, with n watchful eye, because
she foresees in the expulsion of the
Turk the opportunity of that Power
to extend her Empire southwark, and
thus acquire an increase. of strength
and also that the involvement of England
in an Eastern war with Russia will give
Germany an opportunity to extend her sea-
board from the Baltic to the British Chan
mel. France, Italy, Spain, and even Greece
MS Mediterranean Powers, naturally have