Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-09-15
LoED SALISBURY.

LORD SALISBURY
| think, allow them to fight it ont. simply tax
ing care Of herself if attacked. 1 do not think
that Turkey would construe the seizure of Sigri
an act of war against her. while at the same
time she would not recognize the right of Eng
land TO MAKE the seizure; which, however, re-
mains TO be confirmed"
At the Russian legation all was diplomatic re-
serve and silence, though the secretaries looked
as if something grave had come to their knowl-
edge.
ORIGIN OF THE TROUBLE.
Indications point to the breaking out of the
long expected European confiagration through
the ever present and never thoroughly settled
eastern question.
Russia by tradition, has aimed for two CEN
turtles and more to seize ConstantinoFle, the
capital of the eastern empire of the carly
Christian era, and has made war upon Turkey
on an average once every twenty years or so
during that period. Her hands have been held
OFF through some concerted action or other on
the part of the other powers
England is most interested in preventing the
fultllment of this design and has invariably
shown her teeth when. at the last moment,
Russia has been prepared for the last move. 1t
was in furtherance of this scheme and with the
idea that England would offer no resistance
that Gar Nicholas in 1854 committed those acts
which precipitated the Crimean war. and again,
more recently, that Ale xander III in 1877 forced
the latest war on Turkey.
This, usual. led up to a state Of affairs that
brought Great Britain into the field or her
fleet into the Dardanelles in a highly sensa-
tional way.
RUssIA's MOVE IN 1878.
After the fall of Pleyna which Osman Pasha
and handful Of men had defended against
Russian assaults with almost unparalleled hero
ism, the sultan made overtures to the great
powers to interfere on his behalf. No notice
was taken OF his appeal and a proposition di-
rect was made 10 the cZai, who in turn referred
it to the Grand Duke Nicholas. commander-in-
chief of the Russian army. The terms Of an
armistice were arranged and hostilities ceased
on January 81, 1878.
Meantime, while the negotiations we're going
on which ended temporarily in the treaty Of
San Stefano. the Russians were guilty of what
was regarded by Great Britain an act of per-
idy. Their troops, presumably held in the
neighborhood of Adrianople, were found to be
stealthily approaching Constantinople with the
obvious intention of seizing it.
Instantly Great Britain realized that the
time had arrived for prompt and energetic
action.
A squadron Of ironclads which had already
rendezvoused at Malta was ordered, under Ad-
miral Hoerby. to proceed to the Dardanelles,
and, necessary, force their passage. The sit
uation was indescribably exciting The shores
were lined with Russian batteries; the night was
stormy. On every British vessel the crews were
at quarters ready to test the great guns on the
shore batteries and to strike the first blow in q
bloody war.
But they were unmolested and steamed in
order to the Sea Of Marmors, where they an
chored of the city of Constantine.
In Russia the utmost indignation resulted.
The grand duke professed that this violation OF
the treaty Of Paris gave him every right to
seize Constantinople. The sultan protested
that the presence of the British feet would
only serve to encourage Russia to take extreme
measures, but a tory government was in power
and all this buster went for nothing. The feet
remained at Constantinople until February IL,
when it withdrew to Mudania bay and was
strongly REINFORCED.
For two months the situation was SO strained
that the slightest concession on the part of
Great Britain would have been fatal. But the
sultan knew that any surrender TO Russia be-
yond what Great Britain thought reasonable
would result in laying his city in ruins The
lesson was aftervard taught at Alexandria
THE PRESENT TROUBLE.
What has led to the present complication IL
easily stated There is more or less effective
understanding between France and Russia as
against Germany Austria and Italy England
il believed not to be committed to this tripar-
tite agreement The politics behind the move
ment which has led to this demonstration are
not quite clear. 1t may be simply that Russia
desires to force Englands hand and determine
where tue powers eSdlu OcAofc OekluuluS
Inevitable fight once more.
At all events, some four or five weeks ago
certain armed Russian vessels were permitted,
in violation Of the treaty Of Paris, signed in
1856, by the sultan to pass through the Dards-
nelles up to the Black sea.
That treaty, signed by France, England, Bar
dinia and Russia at the end OF the Crimean war,
forbade the armed vessels Of any foreign ma
ton to pass the Dsrdanelles-the long and mar
row strait that connects the Ssea Of Marmora
with the Egean-and merchant vessels only BY
permission Of the porte.
These Russian ships were manned by seamen
Of the regular Russian navy, but the pretence
was made that they belonged to commerce.
1t was argued that inasmuch as all British
merchant liners belong to the naval reserve,
SO all vessels of the Russian reserve had
right to be called merchantmen.
Great Britain, ~ usual, protested, but Brit
ish influence at Constantinople u at . low ebb.
The Russian and French ambassadors have eff
fectually captured the sultan. It Is plain that
Lord Salisbury 10 acting on information not
yet made public.
A. one result Of the Berlin conference. which
made better terms for Turkey than Russia was
Wiling TO give in the treaty Of San stsfAno Lord