New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-08-03
HE1pLESSNEss OF DIPLoMACK


Practical statesmen like Prince Bismarck nave
invariably shown their contempt for Europe
whenever they have had any real work on
hand. Was there ever a more huniilaslns
spectacle than diplomacy presented IN 1914
when an old-time monarchy, whose security
had been solemnly guaranteed by the fowers'
was invaded by Prussia and Austria IN utoer
defiance of European engagements VT HAS
there been anything in the German Cnanceilor
career more cynical than the indifference WIFI
which he has regarded the attitude OF the neu-
tral Powers before and after such catastropnes
as Sadoya and Sedan7 The diplomatic history
of those campaigns amply justified that feellng
of indifference The double dealing OF a tort
schakof, the feeble optimism of a OranVliie
and the vacilation of Beust demonstrated
how little was to be expected from the action OIL
the Powers when they offered their services as
the Good Europeans of Talleyrands phrase 10
avert the horrors of war. 1t is only when Gov
ernments are playing at war and seeking 10
friobten each other that diplomacy is helpful
in nrocuring settlements. The Congress OF
Berlin in 1878 was substantial achievement
But why7 1t was because England hSu re-
sorted to a policy of brag and buster after gan
Stefano without really intending to go 10 war !;
and furthermore, because Russia, exhausted oy
the campaign with Turkey, was unable 10 nghV
any longer. There was pretence OF hghtihs
ON each side but there was more Jacket Oh prep
aration than earnestness of purpose. 1t was
the bumor of Sim Tappertt, grinding up all the
tools and finding occupation for heated spirit
in making the sparks fly. 1t was not the reso-
lute will of the sturdy armorer Hal Oh the
WIND. wasting no words when there was any
fighting to do. War was not on the cards. anu
the buster only served to fill the pauses whiie
England and Russia were secretly peellng each
into the others hand before taking their seats
in the European Congress.
The Constantinople Conference on the eve OF
the war between Russia and Turkey was one
of the melancholy failures of European di-
pIomacy of which we have been speaking
The Northern Power was making energetic
preparations for campaign which could not
be opened before May. In January the Plenl-
potentiaries of Europe, having submitted sew
eral propositions which the Porte scorn-
fully rejected, reduced their demands to terms
so low that the Powers would have been
Inundated if they had been accepted 1t was
n plan which practically left the Christian
proyinces at the mercy of MahOmetan SOL
diery. and was not looked upon by any OF the
diplomatsts as a serious effort to settle the
momentous questions at issue; and meagre ana
artificial as it was, it was coEtemptuously re-
iected by the Turkish Pachas. The Ambassa-
doris finally dispersed, after affOrding conclu-
sive evidence of their own helplessness IN a
crisis where two Governments were bent upon
waging war and were only waiting for settled
weather before giving the signal for active
Operations Even after the breaking up OF the
Conference time remained for a mysterious
mission of General Ignatieif to the capitals and
the production of a protocol, registering the
means required for the paciication OF the East.
1t was a final demonstration of what has been
sardonically described by dipOmatlst as the
organized impotence of Europe"
The Ministers who still linger on the scene
at Constantinople, unabashed by their failures,
are unwilling to confess the utter uselessness
of their diplomacy. The Conference was pro-
posed in q desperate moment when neither
England nor France was prepared for interven-
ton in Egypt, joint or single-handed. AS they
had exerted their moral force at Constantinople
and Cairo without effect, it was evidently a
sheer waste of time to appeal to the moral
force OF EUROPE. OrleHldl races 10 nOJ dppTc-
ciate a moral argument. Protocols, collective
notes and ultimatums have no meaning for
them unless there is heavy artillery with large
body of horse and foot behind the moral law
Consequently the Conference has been q con-
spicuous failure. The members finally united
in an invitation to the Porte which they had nc
idea he would accept, and when after ex-
asperating delays the sudden pressure of Eng
lands preparations for war forced him to take
action. they found themselves unprepared for
and embarrassed by his acceptance of their
own proposal. The Russian Government was
so disconnected that it instructed its represent
alive to withdraw from the Council but if we
may place reliance upon Sir Charles bikes
explanations those orders have been unexpect-
edly modified, and the Conference is not yet at
an end. Yet what is the latest proposal I 1t
is q demand, in which all the representatives
have Joined, that the Sultan shall proclaim
Arab rebel No effort is made to decide the
crucial question whether England is to be al
lowed to suppress the revolt unaided, or is to
be hampered and possibly baflled by treacher-
Gus ally in the rear The real issue-who is to
use the bayonet-is kept out of mind. Recourse
is still had to moral influence. The Western
Powers and Europe, having exhausted the
ethical resources of their diplomacy, make a
final appeal TO the Sultan to bring his moral
force. such as he has, to bear upon Arab by
proclaiming him a bad man
The Conference has, however, served the
double purpose of wasting time and honorng
the traditional precedents of diplomatic help
lessness when war is necessary and unavoid-
able. Mr.. Gladstone, whose moral instincts
have not allowed him to enter upon a campaign
until all means OF avoiding war are exhausted
can now go on with quiet conscience in the