Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1882-09-28
RusSia's Two Centuries of Wait.
T. r.''h9 - ~ i@' ing, E'r HrTf n


The attitude of the great Empire of
Russia toward the Egyptian difficulty is
both mysterious and interesting. The
war in Egypt has a close connection with
the Eastern Question:" and, in the
Eastern Question, Russia has more at
stake than sany power, England alone
excepted. Yet, through all the events
of the past few months. we, have rarely
seen the name of the czar's empire men
toned? 9bhEom9I buE ma94 a3J TsT
Russia took but sli ght part theme
cent conference at Constantinople. Her
envoy was seldom at its meetings, and
when lie attended, it was to increase
rather than lessen the task Of England
bringing about general agreement
Why have we heard so little of Russia
latelyP Why, when the other; powers
have been so active, has she alone been
SILENT and remained in the back
To understand her attitude, we must
remember what has been the chief am
bition of the great Muscovite realm for
two centuries. That ambition has been
to capture and possess Constantinople,
now the capital of the Sultan.
Russia has coveted .Constantinople for
three reasons AS the head Of the
Greek church, the seat of which has al,
ways been at Constantinople, the Gear
desires to be master of the peerless city,
within whose limits rise the spires of the
ancient Greek cathedral of st. Sophia.
AS great military power, Russia wish
es to hold the impregnable water-passes
which lead from the Black sea into the
nation, Russia Graves this outlet by the
Bosphorous and the Hellespont, and as
an emporium, the unrivalled situation of
Stamboul.
The first Napoleon declared that Con-
stantinople is the key to the military
and commercial ascendency of the
world. He said that, were Russia to
once possess it, she must become SUI
preme and irresistible in Europe.
For two centuries Russia has watched
her opportunity to seize this priceless
( treasure. More than once she has
fought desperately for it. The Gar
Alexander |. promised Napoleon his eter-
nal alliance and friendship if Napoleon
would aid him in obtaining it. Nicholas
fought the crimean war, and the second
Alexander the war Of 1877, to conquer
it, but to-day Russia stands, as yet baked
in her ambition, yet looking always with
envious eye toward the pinnacles and
domes of the noble old metropolis.
For long period, England has been
the chief obstacle in the path of this as
peration of Russia When, five years
ago, the Russian army flushed with VIC
| tory, stood at the very gates of the COW
eted city, the British fleet lwentIup the
Dardanelles, and forced it to turn back
discounted. iaiHafji iag3H2g Is 90 oet
The reason then, why Russia has held
aloof, in grim silence, during the pro-
gress Of the Egyptian crisis, is that she
!, will not cooperate with England, and
win not bind herself to approve Of the
English operations in Egypt. .IoitfT Il!
She ever watches her chance to seize
advantage of the difficulties and errors
of her arch-enenly she will not stir IN,
| til the moment is ripe. II The defeat 81
the English in ;Bgy pit would carry reioic.
| ing to- every! soldierly and ambitious
| heart at the court of st. Petersburg. We
\ may be sure that the success of the Eng.
| fish in Egypt will rouse the power 81
Russia to deprive her foe of the fruits o.
| victory - f.it..oG s,nrI tn.g... NJ.
| We may look in the not distant future
for some manifestation of this unslee pins
ambition in the museoEite heart; perhaps
for deadly struggle between the forces
of the car and those of Victoria. The
Turkish empire is fast Fastening to de-
cay; and it cannot be, long before sn!
preme struggle must ensue or the heir
ship to its great historic city, its magni.
ficent fortress on the banks Of the Bos,
/ phorus. -.----.-----.--. ~