Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-07-16
l6, 1886.
Russia Moves Another Pawn

fklDA 1..............s.JULl 10, iooo'
- - --
Russia Moves Another Pawn.
Russia has again caused unessiness
throughout Europe by moving another
pawn in the question game. The
Gar now declares that Bstoum is nc
longer Q free port. This declaration
not only emphasizes the significance OF
his recent manifesto to the officers and
sailors OF the Blsck-Sea feet,
but points to an open infraction
OF one Of the articles of the
treaty of Berlin, and is regarded in some
quarters as the first step towards . re-
nunciation on the part of Russia Of the
entire compact. OF course Russia de-
MES that any such construction can be
put upon her action. The 5Sth article
Of the Berlin treaty declares " that the
Porte cedes to the Russian empire in Asia
the territories Of Arabian, Kars, and
Bstoum and, with the last-named port,
also, the territories comprised between
the former Russo.Turkish frontier"
&c. The 59th article says: "His
Majesty, the Emperor of Russia, do
clares it to be his intention to make
Bstoum free and essentially CONNER
cisl port" Russia defends and ex-
plains the closing Of Bstoum as q free
port on the ground that her concession
of eight years ago was VOL
untary. But the Aimsiness of
such pretext will be apparent
upon consideration Of all the circum.
stances. During the Russo.Turkish
war Batoum was frequently invested,
but never captured. Lord BEACoNs.
FIELD not only strenuously opposed
its surrender to the invading Army of
the Caucasus, but went so far as to ne
gotiate q secret treaty with the Porte,
in which it was agreed that England
would fight for her ally if the place
was occupied by Russian forces. 1t
is true that in the Berlin Congress
BEACoNsFIELD withdrew lis objection
to the cession, but it was we'll under
stood that he did SO in return for advan- |
tsges he considered England had Sc
cured from the division Of Bulgaria and |
from other notifications of the treaty
Of San Stefano. Not only that, but
the occupation of Batoum by Russia
was sanctioned by the Powers upon the
condition that it should be free port
to all nations. During the time that has
elapsed since the treaty Of Berlin WAS
ratified Russia has made Bstoum the
terminus Of system Of railroads, con-
meeting the. Black with the Caspian
ses, and with her territory CON-
mandipg the approaches to Herat.
A glance at the map will readily show
why Russia would have been willing to
submit even to humilisting conditions in
order to get q grip spon Batoum. Once
in possession Of the place she could
afford to bide her time. She
row has Q steamship and rail route
from Odessa ria the Black Sea
to Bstoum, thence through Tiais
to Baku, on the Caspian; across
the Cstpian, which is alive with Russian
steamers, through Michaelovsk, Kill
Aryat, and Bami to Askabad, which
latter point is within three hundred
miles Of Herat. This gives Russia q
third route by which she could menace
the Indian frontier, tho other two being
the route from Moscow to the Caucasus,
and the old route through Turkestau. |
IT is true that the route from Odessa to
Batoum could not well be maintained
after Q declaration Of war had been
made unless England couldbe excluded
from the Black Sea. The Russian
transports would be at the mercy Of
the British ard other hostile cruisers.
But the fact remains that the
time between Odessa and Batoum
is so short that Russia might |
upon one pretencs or another concen-
trste troops in Bsssarabis in time Of |
peace and throw them across the Black
Sea before the Powers could intervene.
Indeed, il is stated that even now the
Czsr's troops are moving rapidly
into Southern Russia. This the
Car denies, but his denial was te
have betn expected. Russia has never
yet made secret movemen. Of troop,
that she did not deny until it was
proved on her. Another evidence tia,
Russia is bent on mischisf--is bent upon
bringing about, il possible, an sxcase
for goisg to wars found. it is held,
In the fact that she Is now claiming
Kb, NIB, which has long bean
conceded TO be an Afghan pos.
session. This claim would seem to
show thst Russia is determined TO pro-
Jon the controversy over the Afghan
bouI day estion--detsrminsd to keep
. Gre ., ouldsring which she could fan
into q me at any moment, IS occasion
might r.qu're. vt, after all, none
can soy with certainty when or where
Russia will strike. All that seems set.
tied IL that the pressure a. home de.
mands that she shall bring about hos
Iilliies 1t no distant day. She has los.
prestige in tn. Balkans, and is exceed.
Dsly sore over tho fact. The esssb.
ishnsnt Of the Bulgarian union sppa.
entity plscsd tho Hope Of Moscow
nsthss from realization than 1t
a 49, IA, v.ssr W. al kua~ +,