The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-10-01
WILL THEY COME If BID?
Small Likelihood that Russia and
y France Wnl Attend a Berlin
Congress.
Constant Violations Of the First
Treaty Have Made the
Gear Wary.
Notorious Disregard OF Its Provisions by
the Triple Alliance and England
War Probabilities.

It is quite probable that, as the Pari
Paix asserts, the emperors of Germany ant
Austria may have discussed at their recen
meeting the expediency of holding new
European congress, says the New York Sun
1t is even possible that they have decides
to convoke one The report reminds us
however, of a we'll known bit of dialogue il
one of Shakespeare's plays. Glendowe
boasts that he ''can call spirits from tn
vastly deep.'' But will they come" ask
Hotspur, when you do call for them2" Al
invitation may be sent to Russia and Il
France. but in the conditions resulting from
existing European alliances and understand
it would be an act of folly for those powers
to accept it.
Very different were the circumstances
in the congress of Berlin. Her soldiers
were encomped in sight of Constantinople,
and by the treaty of San Stefano they had
imposed tremendous sacrifices on the Porte
They were, however sorely weakened by the
long siege of Plevna, and they were
far distant from their base of sup
plies. A feet of British iron
clads, moreover, were stationed in
Turkish waters, and what was much more
calculated to exercise coercion, a strong
Austrian army had been massed in their
rear. Nevertheless, Russia would have per-
sisted in keeping what she had won but for
the gross ingratitude of Emperor William l..
who refused to utter the warning by which
Alexander II. had kept Austria neutral IN
the Franco German war. When the Ger
man government endorsed the suggestion
that the San Stefano treaty should be re-
czar was in no position to reject it. Yet,
though thus driven to the wall. the Russian
tiiplomatists, and particularly Shouvalof,
took precautions to limit the concessions
which would be exacted from their coun-
Try. BY a secret agreement between Aus
l.ria and Russia, it was arranged beforehan
that the congress should sanction the oc-
s,upation of Bosnia and the Herzegovina
ioy the former power, and that of Bulgaria
aorth of the Balkans by Russian troops. In
pursuance of another secret agreement be-
tween Beaconsfeld and Shouvaloff the con-
Cyprus in consideration of no opposition
Being offered to the imposing of large
money indemnity on Turkey. All that
Turkey gained at the expense of RUSSIA by
The revision Of the San Stefano treaty was
ihe retrocession of some territory in Arme-
/ "
Bulgaria lying south of the Balkans is
Jailed. We should add that, while date
was fixed for the withdrawal of the Russian
soldiers from Bulgaria, it was also under
Itood that Austria's occupation of Bosnia
would be only temporary, though in each
,ase it was expected that the moral ascen-
lancy of the occupying power over the dis
riot occupied would be definitely estab-
ished
There is no doubt that Russia has been
Il srr0~ rel, AS III ~ 49,
atlons of the treaty of Berlin. Her troops
vere withdrawn from Bulgaria in conform
ty with her agreement, but Bosnia is still
ull of Austrian soldiers. Cyprus remains
n English dependency, but the Porte re-
uses to pay the money indemnity promised
lnnexation of Eastern Roumeila, which
vas Topped of from Bulgaria when that
rlncipality seemed likely to be controlled
~ Russia. has been winked at by the treaty
lowers from the moment that influences
!ostiie to Russia became dominant at
,ofia. Nc wonder that the name of the
serlin congress excites disgust and anger
t st. Petersburg, and we may be sure that
proposal to take part in a like perform
nee would invoke derision. The car
1ould not enter again into secret agree
rents With Austria and England.
ven If those powers were disposed to
fer them, because in the light of his recent
greements he could not trust them,
| !either could he put faith in the execution
tlthe mandate Of a congress, provided it's vi
lation seemed likely to affect unfavorably
he interests of Russia. The car has had
! rs desire him to take part in another
leeting OF the kind they should conform
the decision OF the congress of Berlin.
hey should compel the restitution of east
IN Roumelia to Turkey: they should insist
n the election of a ruler of Bulgaria not
! OtOrl0URIV nhn0YInns tn tho
hould force Austria in her turn to with
raw her soldiers from Bosnia and thew
Mould order the Porte either to paw the
rrears of the money indemnity due to Rus
"a or to make an equivalent cession of ter
ltory. While the capital provisions of the
erlin treaty are manifestly set at naught
is adding insult to injury to talk to Rus
la of congresses.
The present situation of Russia is very
iferent from that which she occupied
Velve years ago. Far from being ut the
.ercy of the central powers, she is now in
ifferent to their hostility. In conflict |
18th them she could count with absolute |
srtalnty on the cooperation of France. |
nd. owing to the military and naval i'm
otence demonstrated by Italy in 1866, it is |
lie conviction of most military experts |
lat Russia and France united would be |
lore than a match for the triple alliance. |
alt OF Russla's force would suffice to par- |
.yzo Austria, and with the other half the |
astern frontier of Germany would be as
.iled. Only half of Germany's resources.
lerefore, would be available against
rance, which, on the other hand.
ould need to detach but small |
action of her army to hold the
alians in check on the frontier of Savoy.
he French feet would give Italy enough
n, do. for not only the seaports
the peninsula would be attacked,
1T the islands of Sicily and Sardinia
ould be occupied. The notion that En-
land would lend her navy to support the
| iple alliance is preposterous; the mere
| digestion of such an intention in parlia-
ent would hurl Lord Salisbury from
over.
The emperors of Austria and Germany
IN, of course, call congress if they like.
Mt as Russia and France would not bind |
lemselves in advance to obey its decisions,
le deliberations of such q convention |
ould be abortive.
A TARDY VENGEANCE.
alomel and Laudanum for Sir Walter
~ Scott