The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1886-07-18

and is preparing a protest against the
sudden action Of Russia in closing the
port Of BatOlm. On this subject the
London Times says: IF Russia contin-
ues to act thus, she may find a general
league against her, involving an exclu-
sion from int national intercourse
which she is scarcely able to- afford"
The same paper says, further: Rus
sia's action In closing the port of
Batoum is a gross breach of faith and is
most discreditable to the Gar. England
ought not to recognize or condone this
action"
While the powers OF Western Europe
claim THAI the closing of the pot of
Batoum is palpable violation of the
seth article of the Berlin treaty. Russia
on the other hand, claims that it does
notviolate that article, or any other OF
the Berlin treaty. Size claims that arti-
Gle SO Of that treaty is exceptional, mas
much as 1t was not the result OF an I'M
derstafing, but of free and spontan-
eous declaration that Russia was will
ing to make Batoum q free port, and
adds:
The advantages which were then cOntem-
plated on a guarantee OF the contracting
powers can not longer be considered, as,
since the abolition OF Caucasian transit,
Batoum has ceased TO be an entrepOt Tor Tor
eign goods between Europe and Persia ana
has only retained the import trade. There
al int M. NuFnmar induce
Rutsia 70 continue 10 make sacrifices 70 the
detriment of the country around Batoum-
Eight years experience has shown the injury
resulting from making Batoum free port.
There Is reason 10 doubt the necessity OF
ending the arrangement.
Russia's statements amount 20 this:
1t is not definitely stated in the 59th
article of the Berlin treaty that Batoum
should be free port in continuity; but
was made so by the good pleasure Of the
Gar in view of its being to the adyant-
age OF Batoum under the circumstance
that then existed; but the CT. cumstances
which made it advantageous then have
since altered, and the interest of the
town and the surrounding country de-
mand that this port shall be closed.
The other powers dispute the position
taken by the Car, and claim that it is
a breach Of faith and a violation of the
Berlin treaty. In European diplomatic
circles, it is said that the overs will act
together in opposing Russia, khd that
Great Britain will take the lead.
So soon as Austria objects to the
course of the Gar in closing the port
Of Batoum, Russian troops were at once
marched into Bessarabia, where they
have since been massing. The last re-
port said that more than IS, 900 had gath !
cred there. Bessarabia will be remem- !
bered as that district OF country Rou-
mania was compelled by the Powers to |
cede 20 Russia by one of the provisions /
Of the treaty of Berlin, and lies between
The Dneister river and tie Pruth and
The mouth of the Danube.
II hOstililes of war-like character
break out, they will be likely to com
nence there. Russia to be well sup
olied with funds, is urging Turkey to
,ay the war indemnity still due to her.
hat was fixed by this same treaty at
Berlin.
Those acquainted with the situation
If those provinces and petty kingdoms
n southeastern Europe, and who know
he interests of the Great Powers in
-olved, will see in this trouble, revival
II the eastern question that, like Ban
Iuo's ghost, insists on rising to vex the
lations of Europe.