Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1885-11-26
THE BALKAN COMPLICATIONS.
s. G. w. benjamin, Recently U. S. Minister
to Persia, Describes the Con hicting
Interests of the Powers.


Interests of the Powers.
The hope that q peaceful solution of
the Balkan question might be reached
has lain in the very imminencc of the
impending danger of war. The entire
political atmosphere of Europe is over
charged with explosive elements. The
first spark of war would kindle every
corner of the continent. Every power
except Russia is therefore prepared to ex-
ert itself toward the postponemcnt of
conflict that is sooner or later inevitable.
But Russia is in all likelihood at the bot
tom of the present complication, and
while seemingly acting with the other
Powers, is stealthily preparing to take
adyantace of anv turn of events which
may grow out Of ferment which she
has instigated in order to recover from
the false step she made in 1876. 1t was
owing to her intrigues that the revolt of
Servia and the last Russo-Turkish war
occurred. On pretence of aiding and
liberating the provinces of European
Turkey, Russia interfered in that quar-
ter. Constantinople was the objective
point OF her designs. That capital'once
seized and held, the revolted provinces
could be easily reduced to Russian au-
thority. But in q moment of weakness
Russia yielded to British pressure and
Austrian jealousy and retired from Con
stantinople when 1t was almost in her
grasp But the provinces she liberated
from Turkish rule with the intention of
using them to promote her southward ad-
vance, having tasted Of liberty, now pro-
pose to keep it even if they are obliged to
turn against the very power that liberated
them. They do not accept the idea of
being used to pull the chestnuts out Of
the fire to aid the Panslavic plan.
This sentiment of independence was
growing too strong in the Balkan pro.
vinces, and with it intelligence, self-gov
crnmcnt, and power were gaining. 1t
became necessary to put stop to this. If
Russia still intended to plant her flag on
the shores OF the Mediterranean. Hence
the outbreak in Roumclia at time when
there was no sufficient pretext for the
revolution so far as concerned that prov
ince. OF course Russia conveniently
disavows the insurrection and its appar
ent author, Prince Alexander, and de.
mands the status quo ante. She desires
not the union of Roumelis and Bulgaria,
which would only strengthen the barriers
between her and Constantinople; but
rather disturbance that would be so
pcrplexing and so difficult to allay that
she would find in 1t pretext for throw
ing an army into the Balkan Peninsula
and marching to Constantinoplc before il
became too late to seize that prize. II is
essential for Russia to have eNher Con-
stantinople or Bombay, one or both,
While, therefore, hoping by the sheer
dread and momentum Of her vast power
to succeed in gaining her ends without
war. Russia is not averse to 1t, as she Is
aware that her chances for the possession
of the Turkish capital arc wanning,
which suggests promptness and energy
on her part.
But here is where the plot thickens.
Hungary, which Is the ruling element In
the Austro. Hungarian empire, will fight
before she allows Russia to obtain con
troll Of the Mediterranean. The Balkan
provinces also have their hopes fixed on
Constantinople; Greece longs for 1t, with
priority of reason. England cannot al
| low Russia in the Mediterranean while
the safety CT her Indian possessions de-
pends on the control of the canal OF Suez.
Germany, who for reasons OF her own,
is striving for diplomatic ascendancy at
the Golden Horn, cannot afford to see
any ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF Russia In Europe,
and as an additional countercheck has
recently established close diplomatic re.
! lations with Persia. A war between Ger.
| many and Russia after the death Of the
Emperor William Is among the probabil-
tiles of the future. II Is his love for the
house of Romanoff and to desire for re.
pose during his few remaining days that
has made this aged sovereign a peace.
maker for the last ten years. But the
Crown Prince of Germany, married TO an
English princess and personal enemy OF
the Gar, does not share these sentiment,
and there Ia distinct aversion growing
up between the people Of the two riva
and adjoining empires. This again sug
gests another reason why II is importan
for Russia to advance her interests il
European Turkey while she can coun
on the friendship Of the old emperor ant