The San Francisco call., 1897-04-28
WHAT RUSSIA WANTS.
An Intere sting Article From a
Semi-Oificial Organ of the

Car.
Russia's position in the Creto- Greco
Turkish situation has puzzled many, says
the Literary Digest. At first she was sus-
pected of secret sy mpathy with Crete and
Greece, but her readiness to resort to coer-
cion i'll the interest OF the integrity of the
Sultan's empire has dispelled those suspi-
cions. 1t is believed that she is playing q
waiting game, and wants a greater share
OF Turkish territory than Immediate dis
solution of the Ottoman empire could
bring her. She is believed to have her eye
on Constantinople. In view of this i'm.
preston, the following editorial from the
semi-official Noyoye Vremya OF ST. Peters
burg will be read with interest. That
organ charges England with duplicity and
bad faith and repels insinuations against
Russia. 1t says:
1t is assumed by many European observers
and politicians that Russia eternally dreams
OF occupying Constantinople. In truth,
Russia's ultimate designs in the Eastern ques-
ton by no means blind her to the immediate
consequences of her conduct To OCCUPY
Con >tantinople, it is necessary to occupy first
the Bosporus, and this can be done in one of
these three ways: l. By force against the
consent OF Turkey; 2. with the consent of the
Sultan's Government; and 3, with the con-
sent of The powers as well as of the Sultan.
Let US ask, what would become of Constan-
tinople in either of these cases? OF course, it
is not always possible to forecast the develop
ment OF things, but probability allows us TO
make the following suppositions: II we Rus
slams should succeed in taking possession of
the Bosporus by force, anarchy would at once
be inRugurated III Constantinople, and the
Turks would be compelled to emigrate to
Asia. The signal would be given for appall-
ing massacres and atrocities. AT the same
time the various and numerous claimants for
different portions of the Ottoman empire
would hasten 10 grab the coveted territory.
Turkey would, in fact, be divided-but not
permanently divided At first the minor gov.
ernments would acquire their slices, and then
the great pretenders would step in ana effect
second division. What sort of a Constanti-
nople would this situation place in our pos
session? The home and storm-center of civil
war and disorder, requiring the expenditure
OF untold treasure and energy In the interest
OF pacifcation. The whole Turkish empire
would be in state of anarchy and violent
conflict, with the powers quarreling and
threatening each other over the spoils. Does
any one seriously imagine that Russia is at
tracted by such prospect?
To occupy the Bosporus with the consent
OF Turkey is an alternative which we un-
doubtedly deem the happiest solution OF the
present difficulty, SO full of menace to both
governments. To Russia it would mean the
delivery TO Russia of the key to her own
house, while TO Turkey 1t would mean secur-
ity and safety. The Sultan's authority would
be confirmed and assured, and ne would be
freed from the danger of malicious and sub
terranean plotting. An end would be put 10
that incredible situation under which the alb
surd grimacing of little Greece is sufficient to
threaten the fall OF the empire, But clearly,
this solution would not give Us Constautf-
nople. On the contrary, il would perpetuate
and strengthen the rule of Turkey in that
world-metropolis.
There remains, then, the possibility of oc-
cupying the Bosporus with the consent of the
European powers. In the first place, no such
consent can be expected. England, as a con-
sideration for her acquiescence would de.
mand compensation which Russia could n of
grant her. In the second place, supposing this
obstacle to be removed, the occupation of the
Bosporus by Russian forces would involve the
forcing OF the Dardanelles by European fleets;
and the effect OF such startling news OH the
subjects OF the Sultan can be realized by Rus
STA alone. European diplomacy is at bottom
Incapable of comprehending the Turkish oues-
ton. To IL the division of that empire pre-
sents itself as a rearrangement of the map;
but we, who as nation still live more by feel
Ing and instinct than by reasoning and calcu-
lauon, know that to dismember Turkey is to
quarter living Deing. If the Sultan should
fail to raise the banner of the Prophet some
new Madhi would do it and the tanatfcaI
Turks would fight as they have never fought
! yet 1t Is idle to think that bold and united
! front on the part of European Governments
would inspire terror in the Mussulmans and
cause them to hesitate and submit. No, at a
critical period OF the supremacy of their race
and faith they would be found united, disci-
| plined&nd determined 10 resist to the end
Moreover, we will say frankly that Russia
| would not trust the European powers in that
supreme emergency. We have witnessed the
European occupation of Crete not without
misgivings and this first experiment in the
direction of concerted action has not been al
| together reassuring. How would we regard
the appearance of European fleets before Con-
stantinople? We should inevitably ask what
| European interests were involved and the
answer would be that the fundamental con-
Germ OF Europe was simply 10 hamrer Russia
and interfere with her success The integrity
of no other power is really dependent on the
fate OF Constantinople, but it is simply a cues
tion OF prestige, and Russia must reserve her
right to insist on the priority and superiority
OF her claims. She is willing to Cooperate
with Europe, but it must be understood that
she does not abandon her right to supremacy.
Russia wants peace and the maintenance of
SuDDOSa
that she is insincere on account of her designs
with reference to Constantinople But she
wishes one thing understood-that in the
event of division her claim on Cons tantinople
is superior to all other claims, chiefly because
In no fewer than six wars Russia, and no other
| power, has crushed out Turkish might, eman-
cipated millions of oppressed Christians and
dictated the terms OF peace right under The
walls of the capital. There was time when
some dreamed of removing the capital of the
Russian empire to Constantinople, but they
overlooked the fact that in that city there are
| ooo'ooo Iurks, Greeks, Armenians and for
elgners. We cannot make it our capital but
1t does not follow that it belongs TO any other
power Russia alone can solve and decide The
fate OF Constantinople
ARIiLLEkk FOR SOCTH AFRICA
St7n5tcdnt Order of the British Var
Department.