The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1886-05-09
THE EASTERN QUESTION.

, The warlike action on the part of tn,
kingdom of Greece for the past few
! days threatens to reopen what is known
among European statesmen as the Eas
, tern question with all its complex rela
tionships. All Greece resounds with
the martial tread of her enthusiastic
troops as they march to the front. and
and all the people are rejoicing at the
prospect of war with Turkey. If Turkey
and Greece were the only ones inter
esied in the issues between the two gov
ernments, it would be comparatively a
small matter; but the questions growing
out of the conflict will involve nearly
all the great powers OF Europe. So
jealous are all those nations to preserve
the present balance of power as now
distributed, that a war, even between
the most insignificant states. becomes
of the greatest importance. In no part
of Europe can red battle stamp his foot
without nations feeling the shock. The
present complications between Turkey
and Greece arise from the defects in the
celebrated treaty of Berlin, formed
between the European powers in
1873 which, it was hoped,
had effectualiy settled the Eastern
question. But the hopes were vain.
Like the ghost of Banquo the Eastern
question arises again to threaten the
peace of Europe. 1t is well known tina;
centuries ago the Turks. under their
warlike chieftains, pushed their con-
quest into Europe where they were sue
cessful in obtaining a permanent foot
hold: and for many score years were a
threatening. aggressive power in
Europe. But the territory they COM
PEELED to submit to their rule, was filed
with Christians, while the Turks were
Mohammedans; and their intolerance
OF much cruelty and many serious COM
plications, not unfrequently threaten
ing to involve all Europe in deadly
strife. Another factor in this import
Russia to extend her territory to some
part of the Mediterranean Coast. Ever
since the time OF Peter the Great it has
been the ambition of Russia to become
great maritime power, and she has
taken advantage Of every circumstance
that has arisen in European politics
to extend her territory to the
sea board On the other hand the
powers of western Europe especially
England-have deemed il to be
to their interest to shut her out from
the Mediterranean. Ever since England
has possessed India, she has been fear
full that Russia designs extending her
Territorial boundaries until they shall
include what is the richest, and hence
the most desirable portion of the
British Empire. Therefore when
Russia has sought TO extend her
boundaries in any direction. she has
always been met with the stern protest
of England. Out Of these circumstances
arise the troubles of Europe over the
Eastern question.
Russia being q Christian nation has
always insisted that she was the pro-
tector of those Christians within the
provinces of Turkey. Hence when in
1877 the Turks inflicted cruelties upon
the Christians, Russia came to the
latter's rescue, which led 10 a declsra-
ton of war from Turkey. This was the
Russo-Turkish war of 1s77-s. which for
.he amount Of cruelties perpetrated on
both sides stands unequaled in all the
histories OF cruel warfare. And what
is most to be regretted. it would be
difficult to tell which was guilty Of the
most cruel deeds, the Mohammedan or
the Christian. But Turkey was quickly
humbled to the very feet of Russia
and accepted the terms of the treaty of
San Stefano. Previous to this war the
territory of Turkey in Europe extended
north TO the Danube, but by the treaty
Just named the Sultan virtually gave up
large strip of his possessions. By this
treaty of Stefsno the Turkish provinces.
Bulgaria and Eastern Roumslis, were
70 form an indepe dent state, under
its Own ruler, to be known by he ma
of Bulgaria. to be under the control of
Russia. Against this arrangement,
however, the other provinces protested.
as also did Greece. England saw in this
move one Of Russia's sly strides to-
ward the sea coast. and through her
great Prime Observation-Disclosures cd
such vigorous protest that all Europe
was startled. The result was the as
sembling of the Congress of the pow
ers of Europe at Berlin in Is. This
Congress modified the treaty Of Stefano,
dividing the Bulgaria OF that treaty
into TWO states. the division line being
at the Balkan Mountains. The Bull
garia north of the Balkan Mountains
was to rema n an independent state. and
the Congress appointed Alexander of
Battenberg its ruler. The part
OF tie t rritory south of the Bal
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