Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-05-31
Germany and Asia Minor.

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Germany and Asia Minor.
The statement comes from Berlin that
the public mind there is again agitating
the idea OF RoscHxn which contemplated
the establishment of new Germany in
the East. and that the trend OF events
points 20 such aconsummatlon, though not
within the geographical limits and under
the exact conditions suggested by the great
German economist. RoscuER advocated
the direction Of German emigration to East
orn Europe instead Of America, and the
Denomination Of Bulgaria, Roumania,
Hungary, and Greece. with view OF form
ing buffer against Pan-Slavism and Rus
sian aggression. IL his original and spe-
cifc proposition was impracticable when
he first preached it, and lefore kosIos-
oRATz had determined whether Austriaor
Prussia should be the head OF the new Ger
| man Empire then dreamed of at both
Berlin and Vienna, IL is still more 30
now. The loyalty of Hungary to the
Hapsburg dynasty does not admit
of question. Magyar hatred of Russia can
DO trusted TO keep them in line with anti
Pan-SlavisYn, as was demonstrated in their
opposItion TO the absorption of Bosnia and
herzegovina by Austria. Aside, therefore,
| from the fact that Austria would resist the
| Denomination through immigration from
the German empire of any Of the smaller
| Balkan States, geographical barrier
against the movement presents itself.
However, the general idea of erecting
! German State IN the East. but bounded by
different geographical lines from those
conceived by RoscHEB, does not seem I'M
practicable. and the results in the main
aimed at by the Leipsic professor may yet
| be attained. What rlay be termed broad
development of Roscherism is the acquire
ment by Germany Of the garden-spot OF
| Asia Minor, which is embraced in the great
plateau extending from the Black Sea to
the Tigris valley and from the Egean to
the Persian frontier. German influence,
| il is said, has been rapidly asserting itself
| in that territory during the past few years
| and that influence is also known to be
| .teadily gaining at Constantinople. Re-
Gently the Porte has made most favorable
concessions to German syndicates for rail-
roads and other enterprises; German COM
mercial relations with the Ottoman empire
are constantly increasing, and German off,
cials are numerous and prominent in the
civil and the military administration
throughout both European and Asiatic
Turkey.
As matter of course, the founding OF
| German State in Asia Minor presupposes
| the disruption OF partition of the Ottoman
empire, and tho question naturally OBJ
trudes itself, What would be the attitude
of England under the circumstances The
question is On exceedingly interesting one
in view Of Englsnd's past relations with
the Porte, but 1t is not at all certain that
British interests would not be SUBSCRIBED
by encouraging realization of the re-
yived and broadened RosCEkB idea. Eng
lands predominant interest in Tur-
key lies in barring Russia from
reaching the Mediterranean. To that
end she has kept the "unspeaka-
bic Turk upon the Bosphorus and the
Dardanelles. But another Russian move
ment has lately menaced her. 1t has been
generally recognized that the troubles In
Armenia wero instigated by the Cars
emissaries for the purpose Of furnishing
excuse for Russian march down the Val
leys of the Tigris and the Euphrstes when
the time should prove ripe, and thus
afford Russia another colgn of vantage
from which to antagonize British infu-
ence on the Karun and at Teheran. Ger
man possession of the plateau mentioned
would not only oppose bulwark to this
movement but would circumscribe the
power of Russia to extend her influence
| from the provinces she wrested from Per-
sia in her two wars with that country in
the early part of this century. England
| would be fortified in her command OF the
Straits of Ormuz, and if she'and Germany
could. as they doubtless would, agree to
keep Russia out of Constantinople by con-
Jointly guarding the Bosphorus and the
| Dardanelles, Russia would have but
one path loft that she could utilize in at
tempting to divert English attention to
India when next the Gar got ready to
strike for STEAMBOAT. The security OF
Constantinople might be accomplished
by sustaining the Ottoman power in En-
rope. as it is now, or by placing Turkey
with the consent of Germany under Brit
ish protection in name as she Is in fact.
Certainly, as far as can be seen at present.
the ascendancy of German influence in
Asia Minor with its possible development
into the establishment of German State
there appears more in consonance
with British interests than the exist
| ing German and British relations
in Southeast Africa. Certain also
it is that the Germans would be better
neighbors for the English on the Persian
Gulf or anywhere else in the East than the
Russians, for under no circumstances
could German and British designs conflict
ns radically as do those Of Russia end
| Great Britain. RcscHTB may, therefore,
after all have builded better than he knew.