The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-12-11
SATURDAY, DECEMBER IL, 1886.
The Eastern Question.

The eastern Question" so called, and
"the Balance of Power" have long vexed
the countries of Western Europe. They
are leading topics in continental politics,
but are seldom presented in clear and IN
telligible light on this side the water. The
compilers of the news in Europe, fortrans-
mission to this country by telegraph, usu-
ally do it in the most confused and bung-
ling manner, so that little reliance can be
placed on it. We have been accustomed
to read, for years, such announcements as
-"War Imminent" "Another War
Cloud in Europe" 'The Turkish Army
Modified" "Active Military Preparations
in Russia" "The Gar Negotiating War
Loan" oFrance and Russia in Accord, -"
Germany, Austria. Italy, England and the
Porte, forming quintuple alliance" In
this way the world has been kept upon the
ragged edge of uncertainty and suspense,
and, the powers concerned, In state OF
feyerish unrest. For the past twelve
month the telegraph has alternately an
nounced "war imminent" and then ''more
pacific intelligence" or "the war-cloud
has passed away" Speculation has doubt
less had much to do with these rumors of
wars and contradictory Statements, but ig-
norance of the true state Of the case, on the
part of those whose business it is to collate
these dispatches, is largely responsible for
them.
Russia is become colossal power on
land, but is comparatively weak upon the
sea. for the lack of sufficient coast and
ports suitable for the construction and
harbor of a powerful navy. The Gar Is
ambitious to provide himself with these
elements of power, and hence is looking
towards Turkey to possess himself OF
them. The other powers, actuated by
jealousy and fear, are watching his every
mover emit, resolved that he shall not az
grandlze himself, to their own peril, or tc
the disturbance of the present equilibrium
or status.
In the event of war, France would be
the only one of the western powers to side
with the Muscovite. This she will do tc
be avenged upon Germany and to recover
her lost provinces of Alsace and Lorraine
and to wipe out the humiliation of Sedan
and the surrender of Paris.
A contemporary says that "the practica
way to settle the Eastern Question, posi-
bly for all time, and relieve the Western
nations ultimately from their present pro
lection of Turkey against Russian aggres,
sion. is the establishment of new European
Kingdom, to be made up of the provinces
of Roumelia, Macedonia, Thessaly,
Albania, Herzegovina, Croatia, Bosnia,
Servia, Bulgaria, Wallachia, Moldavia,
Greece and the Islands of the Archipelago
This would make a large and compact
Kingdom with Constantinople as the capt.
tai; or to make it more compact would be
to exchange Moldavia with Austria fol-
Dalmatia, which would then bring it up tc
and along nearly the whole length of the
Adriatic, and the body of the Kingdom
psAnld lie. hetwaan the Adriatic and the
Black Sea-
If the people of the present divisions of
Turkey in Europe could be made to unite
at all, and then with the present Kingdom
of Greece and the Islands adjacent, there
could be constructed Kingdom as strong
as that of Italy or Austria, it would help
the peace of Europe. 1t would very much
assist in disentangling the Eastern question
and transfer from Europe to Asia some OF
the rivalries and jcalousies growing out OF
the present weakened condition of the
Turkish Government"