The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-04-19
UNFOLDING THE POLICY.

UNFOLDING THE POLICY.
Day By day the unfolding OF the Euro
pean trouble goes on. adding new interest
at each development. A firm step forward
hostilities was taken when the car came
90 the conclusion that Turkey and Greece
must fight IL CUT between themselves.
This il tantamount 20 a declaration that
Turkey is assured OF Russis's approval.
and thsrs is little doubt that within q few
days that sympathy would be made mani
fest.
With one exception. the Turks have
been beaten in recent wars, and even when
not entirely unsuccessful the porte has
always suffered loss OF territory after an
encounter with any OF the powers. But
Turkey has never been so strongly forti-
hed by other allies as she now In. with
Russia and Germany actively hostile and
France leaning 10 the side OF her friends.
The threat OF the powers that neither
country shall profit by being the first TO
provoke hostilities seems to indicate that.
whether Greece wins or loses. she shall
not be permitted 10 acquire any part OF
what Is now Turkish territory. This as
surance IL encouraging 10 Turkey. and Is
part OF the plan TO provoke or mortify
England. II Turkey wins, Greece can Of
course profit nothing. but If Greece wins
there viii be a very determined effort on
the part Of her government, and of the
provinces from which Turkey Is driven.
TO rfp .f HI
dom over the disputed territory. II will
be so manifestiy fair that English opinion
would force the government TO extend fits
aid. Then win come the conflict between
Great Britain and the continental powers.
Such a war as that now impending is
sure 10 be followed by ramifylng conse-
quences extending far beyond the original
parties. The Crimean war not only gave
partial freedom to the Balkan provinces,
but by breaking up the alliance between
Russia and Austria made the independ-
ence OF Italy possible. The loosened ties
between Turkey and her provinces re-
suited In the revolt of Moldavia and Wal
lachia and their formation into one state
under the name OF Roumania. h.lnin a
few years the Cretans took up arms and
sought union with Greece. but were de-
feated: Servia drove out the Turkish gar
risons which remained as a sign of
suzerainty; Bosnia and Herzegovina re-
VOTED and afterward became part OF
Austria. Bulgaria became separate and
independent state; Russia acquired part
Of Bessarabia, with Kars and Batoum:
Greece got Thessaly.
II took nearly eighteen years to accom-
plish these changes. but most OF them
were made very rapidly within twelve
months OF the close OF 1877. The events
were but the outcome OF the planning,
scheniing and fighting OF Russia. Austria
has been always a very unstable friend,
but ever ready to come in at the last
moment and claim a part OF the spoils.
That is her aim now. Hungary IS held by
very uncertain tenure. The union may
be ruptured at any time. and Austria de-
slres to extend her dominion over some
OF those petty sovereignties which have
grown up around her border. each a
source OF vexation-not large enough to
be OF aid TO anybody. but self-important
enough 10 be annoying as an enemy. The
character OF Austria is shown in the re-
cent events. as on all other occasions.
Inconspicuous In councils and keeping out
OF responsibility in action. her voice Is now
heard cautiously repeating the declaration
OF Russia that in the event OF war Greece
would be considered an aggressor.
England stands as Isolated as she did In
1879. and history viii probably repeat
Itself. Russia profted by that isolation
90 wiring from England consent TO a repeal
Of the provision OF the treaty OF Paris by
which Russian war vessels should be ex-
eluded from the Black sea. The present
time offers repetition of the circum-
stances. and the end win be a decided ad-
vantage for Russia. and the planting OF
her flag IN some port on the Mediterra-
mean.