Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-07-22
THE EAsrERN QUESTION.


From whispering Grass TO insects hum.
MARIE s. LApD.
THE EASEERN QUESTION
The Struggle between England and
Russia Cor Supremacy in Asia.
The Eastern question, in a nutshell. is Shall
England or Russia rule Asia? Crises like the
present one in Egypt are but incidents in the
great conflict for the possession of Asia that has
been going on for many years. and will con-
time for many years ioager. But these Incl
dents are OF great interest to the reader of his
tory.
Until the latter part Of the sixteenth CEN
tury the political power of Turkey was upon
the increase. and during the reign Of Solyman
Q520-l56j) there was every indication that she
would rule the world. 50 irresistible were her
armies that they had advanced to within forty
miles of Vienna before they suffered a serious
defeat, but that was the first of a number
which nearly accomplished her overthrow.
The first conflict between the Russians and
the Turks occurred during the reign of Selim
IL, the successor of SOlymOn, and was occa-
stoned by the attack Of the Turks upon As
trakhan the possession of which was necessary
In order to carry out the plan of connecting the
Black and Caspian seas by canal. The Rus
SLAMS Wratn was then aroused, and seems never
to have been appeased
Turkey has never regained the political power
she had during the reign of Solyman. On the
contrary, it has constantly declined and is now,
aside from the selfish support of other powers;
the weakest nation in Europe.
Russia began her aggressive movements in
1856, when she seized AZOf and other import
ant fOrtresses. She and Austria then arranged
for a division Of Turkey, but Turkey learned of
their proposed plan and war followed, and Aus
tria was badly punished.
In 1769the Russians began another war which.
after the destruction of the Turkish fleet, re-
suited in the famous treaty of KutshOuk-
kainardji. the most important provision of
which at the time was supposed to be the COM
plete independence of the Tartars On the Cri-
mea. The treaty had scarcely been signed be-
fore it was broken by the Gar, who took
possession of the Crimea and in 1854 compelled
the Sultan to agree to his action. In 1887 Tur-
key took up arms against Russia. Austria came
TO the latters assistance. and another plan was
arranged for the partition Of Turkey. but before
it could be effected Austria was badly defeated.
though Russia annihilated the Turkish feet
Later Russia and Austria entered into alliance
and fought Turkey most successfully, the result
being the treaty OF Jassey, signed in January,
1872, by which the DneiSter was made the
boundary, the Crimea and Kuban were ceded to
Russia. and Turkey was compelled to pay a
large indemnity.
When Peter the Great assembled the throne he
determined to extend the borders of Russia I'M
til they should embrace coast that would give
his people an outlet for their commerce. On
the southern side this can only be had by the
Black Sea- the BOsphorus, the Sea of MarmOra
and the Dardanele5. The Sultan has always
claimed the right to exclude foreign ships of
war from both the BOsphOrus and the OAR
daneiles. and the treaty of 1897 between Great
Britain and Turkey confirmed this ''ancient
rule OF the Ottoman Empire" and has been
rnpnrniZp6 N froa re Trpply in,
Peter the Great made up his mind that as
soon as possible Russia should cease to be an
inland Empire. Among other measures he
adopted policy of internal improvements and
territorial expansion, and so thoroughly did he
impress this policy upon his subjects that when
his purpOrted will was published, it was every
where accepted as genuine though it is now
known to have been forged. In that document
he is made to advise his people with reference
to the conquest of COnstantinOple and the East,
ana how 1t Is to be accomplished to raise wars
cOntinually-at one time against Turkey, at
another against Persia, make backwards on the
Black Sea- by degrees make yourselves masters
of that sea as well as Of the Baltic; hasten the
decay OF Persia, and penetrate to the Persian
Gulf establish, if possible, the ancient COM
merce of the East MA Syria, and push on to the
Indies, which are the eratrepot of the world.
Once there you need not fear the gold of Eng
land"
The spirit Of this will the Russians are appa-
rently endeavOring to carry out; and they are
doing so with patience equal to that of the
Chinese, and a zeal that brings success.
England has gradually added to her posses
SiOnS in the east until they have become so eX-
tensive that for selfdefence she is compelled to
further extend them. Every advance of Russia
is therefore Closely watched by her. She knows
that in the race for the possession of Asia she
has both a sagacOus and constituencies rival.
This she has learned from experience, the
representatives of the Car having even man
aged to take hand in directing her policy in
AfThanictan.
The Emperor Nicholas. during the later years
of his reign. determined upon war with Tur-
key, and thinking it would be good policy to
invite England to share in the spO.ls when Tur-
key should be divided. which he believed would
happen in the near future, he visited that coun-
try. and had several conversations with the
Duke of Wellington and Lord Aberdeen. in the
course of which he unbosOmed himself with a
frankness that surprised the English. Upon his
return to Russia he had drawn up q menOran-
dunn enbOdying the views which, as he be-
Heyed, were entertained BY both himself and
Lord Aberdeen and the Duke of Wellington.
This memorandum set forth that Russia and
England were both convinced that it was for
their common interest that the Ottoman Empire
should maintain its independence and territory.
but insisted that while Turkey kept up her
practice Of continually breaking her treaties II
was huposSiuic Hcf 10 De secured.
This practice was INDUCED with IMMUNITY. in
the belief that If she failed to keep her engage
ments toward one Of the Powers, the jealOusies
of the others would induce them to espOuse her
cause"
The memorandum declared that "as soon as
the Porte shall perceive that 1t ia not supported
by the other Cabinets it will give way, and the
differences which have arisen will be arranged
in q cOnciliatOry manner. without any conflict
resulting from them"
The two Powers were also made to say that
they could not conceal from themselves the fact
that there was great danger of Turkey falling tC
pieces. and declared that ''in the uncertainty
which hOvers over the future a single funda,
mental idea seems to admit Of really practical
application: that ia. that the danger which may
result from q catastrophe in Turkey will be much
diminished if In the event Of its occurring Rus
STA and England have come to an understand
ing as to the course to be taken by them in com
mon. That understanding will be the more ben
efcal inasmuch as it will have the full assent
OF Austria between whom and Russia exists al
entire accord"
Because England failed to express her disap
prevail of this memorandum Nicholas assumed
| that she agreed to it. and when in 1859 hi
thought he saw an occasion for reviving it anG
| making IL more explicit, he sought to do so
January 9. 1853. he met Sir Hamilton Seymour
| the English Minister to ST. Petersburg at ar
Y nvr.x .srN.. ~. 49, - A.