The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-09-13
RUSSIAN AGGRESSION.

III ~ SApuu kuAic VI OK
grandizement which the czars have pur.
sued with logged %obstinacy since the
time of Peter the Great, Russia has
scored one more decided success There
is no denying the picturesque unexpect-
edness of the latest incident in European
politics, and the CONSERVATION that it
has excited among the diplomats Of the
old world is as widespread as it ls SIN
cere. For centuries Russia has coveted
the possession Of Constantinople. With
the key Of the eastern Mediterranean in
their power, the emperors of Russia
have felt that they could develop their
country into o great maritime power
and pursue their schemes of conquest
with glowing hope OF success. Time
and again they have made bold bids for
success, sometimes by open force and
sometimes by all the arts that diplo-
matte intrigue could suggest. But the
voice and the ornaments OF united Eu-
rope have been constant in denial. The
government of the Turkish empire, with
its fanatioism and tyranny, has been for
years a stencil in the nostrils OF every
European that valued the benefits OF
honest rule. But the sick man has held
his own, and diplomacy has winked at
his cruelties and his failings, because he
served as q rampant against the posi-
bility OF Russian aggression. Now. like
a thunderbolt from a blue sky, ONE
the news that the sultan has accorded to
Russia the privilege Of passage through
the Dardanelles for certain classes Of
ships Of war
There is not one of the great powers
Of Europe that does not feel that some
Of its most vital interests are imperilled
by the Turkish concession. When
Russia dominates the eastern Mediter-
ranean, the maritime ascendancy Of
Austria and Italy is seriously threat
ened. For the present, France may find
it convenient to hold her peace, but even
France cannot ignore the danger that
may some day threaten her southern
coasts and her colonies in northern
Africa. England, of course, is loudost
in cutlery. Between the traditional pol
icies Of Great Britain and Russia there
is old and deep-seated antagonism, and
it the great white car can hold fast to
his concession there is no lack of COM
bustible material. English capital is
largely embarked in Egyptian enter
prises. So long as that is the case,
there is little prospect of immediate
evacuation, for the unsupported gov
ernment of the khedive is not likely to
maintain respect for either life or prop
erty. Russian ships OF wal in the
Mediterranean sea would mean addi-
tional dangers to England's hold on
Egypt. More than that, ii hostilit;es
should ever break out in Asia and the
forces of the czar should march upon
British possessions in India, the su!tan's
concession would enable RUSSIA to de-
stroy the Suez canal before a British
squadron could be gathered together for
it's defence. The whole brunt Of war
fare would then fall ON the English
troops in India, until relief could be sent
by the circultous route OF the Cape of
Good Hope or that of the Canadian Pa
cifc. The new arrivals might be in
time for tho funeral. Men have been
looking with nervous gaze at the
strained relations between France and
Germany, but the sultan's latest break
gives promise Of the possibility Of q
general grand grand time for all the
Kilkenny cats that newl and sputter
and spit In European politics.