The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-11-12
THE FRANCO-RUssIAN ALLIANCE

The latest theory which has been started
to account for the extraordinary impor-
lance attached to the visit of the Russian
fleet to Toulon is that Russia proposes to
set a price on her allia nee with France,
and that the price is noD-interference by
France in a new Russian movement upon
Turkey. People who pretend TO be we'll
informed say that NJ. de Giers has offered
NJ. Carnot al least the moral support of
Russia against Germany. provided France
will tie EngIand's hands when Russia next
moves on the line of the Balkans.
For over century the leading idea of
Russian foreign policy has been the con-
quest of Turkey and the establishment OF
third Russian capital at Constantinople
Fifteen years ago that dream was on the
eve of realization. The Russian outposts
were within sight of the minarets of the
Turkish capital. With the braggadocio OF
the Jingoes. Lord BeaconsfieId moved the
British feet into the Bosphorus and i'm
ported a division of Indian sepoys to
Cyprus. But the English demonstration
was merely bluff. Ii everything else had
been favorable Russia would have occupied
Constantinople and set England at def
ance. II was perfectly we'll known at st.
Petersburg that war with Russia for the
protection of the ''unspeakable Turk"
would have been intensely distasteful to
the English people. If no one but the
British Minister had objected, the Cabinet
at st. Petersburg would have proceeded
with its work
But new foe sprung up where he was
] hfat .
to arrange terms of peace met at Berlin.
It's presiding officer was Prince Bismarck.
He dominated the body. What his secret
object was no one ever knew. His conduct
has always been a mystery. But he took
ground 10 favor of Turkey, insisted or the
annulment of the treaty of San Stephano.
and practically robbed Russia of the fruit
of the campaign. Prince Gortschakoff was
profoundly Inundated, but he submit tied.
His hand was forced by the publication of
a secret treaty, offensive and defensive, be-
tween England and Turkey. The event,
1t may be remarked, appears to demon
strate tine advantage of our rule with re-
gard TO treaty-making over the English
rule. Parliament would hardly have rati-
fed Lord Besconfeld's secret treaty of
June 4, 1873.
So matters have rested for fifteen years.
1t must not be supposed that any change
has taken place in the purposes of Rus
STA. That is a power which does
not change its intentions. 1t want
ed Turkey in the days of Suwar-
row. 1t wants it just as badly to-day.
Aud it's goal is nearer to its hand now than
it ever was. The condition of British
India forbiGs the transfer of sepoys to the
Bosphorus Every bayonet in the Indian
army is needed to maintain British author
ity at Manipur and to support the British
advance through Burmah. Turkey agreed,
as the condition of the English treaty of
1878, to modernize its institutions and to
root out Generalization In the public ser
vice; it has done neither. Its budget
shows an annual deficit of two or three
millions; when it wanted money the other
day it had to pledge It's internal receipts
and to intrust the collection 10 foreigners.
Austria. with a seething discon tent in b.
hernia and a standing dispute with Hun
gary, is in no condition to undertake
wars except for self-defense. Ii France
acquiesees in Russla's schemes the only real
obstacle in their way will be removed. for
German interference would afford France
the opportunity she has been waiting for
20 renew the Franco German war.
All this is being said in European diplo-
matte circles. How much foundation there
may be for Ii remains to be seen. 1t may
be nothing but idle talk. But Europe sell
dom remains quiet for more thar a genera
ton. Stranger things might happen than
"a sudden outbreak of war in the Balkan
nnuntrv