The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-11-19
THE TRUE SITUATION.

The O:egonian of Sunday, In its edi-
torial columns, takes Il very plausible
view OF OF GGle outcome of the present
Turkish ~troutce, but one wGSHh we think
f. glarily logical or correct. 1t says, In
conclusion:
THE English pan for distribution IS
understood to be that Austria win take
Macedonia; the Danubtan provinces will
be independent; Great Britain Egypt and
Syria, and France Asia Minor, leaving
ConsGantinople to be governed by a COM
mrerdon representing all 1.-THE powers. The
weakness OF this rcan is that 1t leaves
Gernrny out Of account, and offers no
adequate compensation TO Russia and
France" HD
This question of partition has be-
come paramount in the squabble during
the past week, for the dismemberment OF
the outomln empire Is looked on as a
foregone conclusion. But the real con-
dition of affairs among the great powers,
and their real interests in Turkey, geo.
graphical and otherwise, do not seem to
be properly understood. Only three
powers have direct and vital interest In
the fate Of the sugtan's government.
They are Austria, England and Russia.
England's interests IN direct and Vital
mainly because she 4hinks lathey are ana
treats them as such. Before the 6uez
Canal was built, ConstantInopce. ais the
gateway Tbetwee Europe and Asia, was
the key to Asiatic influence and trade.
Then 1t was THAT England, with her great
and growing Asiattc possessions, settled
herself In Constantlnople, as part owner
Of the Golden Horn. Decades passed;
the Suez canal was built; 1t passed into
British hands; England had a highway
OF commerce beside whicAl all she could
reach from the BospGorus was as moth
Ing. But England never sees a reRlson to
give up anything she has, 50 she hung,
and still hangs to 1t.
Russla's Interest liz too pain TO require
much explanation. She wants to have
her great southern waterway, the Black
Sea, free and tInhampered by foreign
restrictions. This is just. Would the
United States endure a Gulf of Mexico
practically under foreign control? She
wants to get nearer to the Medlterra-
mean. She wants 10 have her navy there
as powerful as the navies OF other pow
ers.
Austria's vital interests ure of the
same nature. She, too, has a longing
for more sea coast. She, too, in her
dreams Of fubure ACKNOWLEDGEMENT has
Viewed co~vetously the Turkish coast from
Greece TO Montenegro. II IT came to
war between Russia and England over
yhe partition Of Turkey, part of this
coast would buy u large amount of Aus
trtan friendship. whether offered by Eng
land or Russia.
SO much for the countries vitality and
directly interested in Turkeys partition,
Besides them, France, Germany and Italy
must be considered, for although these
three nations have no hngLl suaIxes at the
Golden Horn they are so tangled in the
skeln of Oriental diplomacy that they
all must shake every time the Eastern
question Is agitated. Germany would
keep her powder dry and try to keep
peace. Her only purpose, II trouble
should come, would be to keep the rest
Of the triple alliance out Of 1t. She
doubtless would help Alastrla. strike a
good bargain with Russia ais the prizes
OF Austrian neutrality. ard she doubtless
would induce Russia to soo1ae Italy rwItaf
concessions in Africa. Wsllt would
Frarse do In the meantimeH For sever
al reasons 1t seems 10 us, that with
uermany. Austria, and Eacy neutral,
FSNnce would allow the combat between
England land Russia to take Its course.
She could do this, FIRST, in the confidence
OF Russa's ultimate triumph, and. Sec
ono, at the request OF Russia. Should
Fsance remain out Of the fight Germany
be able probably to hold fast and
neutral the other two powers OF ,hei
Unpse alliance. Should France at once
JON arms with Russia to crush Eng
land. both AUstria and Italy woula
spring TO the rescue. rather than see
uhe dual alliance transform itself into a
uuumvEate ruling tle Mediterranean
ANA oversaadowing the whole south Of
Europe Sooner or later. moreover. Aus
praa and ITALY would then drag Germany
~lter Them. and the dual Alliance would
Dc snnited under the o-ve-waelmlne
eOmolnation OF Germany. Austria, italy
and Engsand. Rather than run such
r'sial Russia would take vser chances !
with England alone.
Tlils. then. is the situation ut the
p'tsent menacIng stage-sn e Interior
ence seage-Of this ever-reeurrlnx and
notwithstanding eaIsesn cr.s.s. Rmssla,
as always. stands ready to meet England
alone. Germany, strong IN the Bismarck-
IAN po.acy Of Indifference In the East, %
eicsdang Austria and rtary tn ftrm check, /
and Fsanee FsGaner uaan pvopoke over +;
~epmlrg ODDS aaalhst hsr ally. Is VIM /,
ins q tAe Allslaclion of.srylnS 10
tan ae lache q peannons Anon.
The New Work World Is wsrkias arsaAd