New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-24
RUSSIA AND TURKEY.

! REPORTS of negotiations In Southeastern Eu-
rope must all be taken with reserve. But the
latest. concerning Russia and Turkey, Is so emil
nently reasonable and is supported by so many
known facts, that 1t strongly appeals TO ere
dence. 1t will be pretty generally accepted as
true and It's complete establishment will be ex-
rectcd The story Is that Russia has agreed to
maintain the integrity Of the Ottoman Empire
md that Turkey will in return cede to Russia the
Peninsula Of Mount Athos and an island In the
Mediterranean Sea- The exact island Is not
named. Turkey does not own many in the Medi-
tcrranean Sea proper though Of course the
1,gean Sea NAV be meant Possibly 1t Is Crete
itself which Russia greatly covets, or Rhodes,
which would be valuable possession. If not, II
is probably one Of the northern islands OF the
3,gean. such as Imbros, Mltylene, or Iemnos,
commanding the entrance to the Dardanelles.
That this is true seems probable, because 1t is
so exactly in line with Russian policy and with
the trend of affairs in the East for some years
mast Russia is determined TO control the otto
man Emplre and to secure strong position III
the Eastern Mediterranean. No mere consider
etons of humanity or justice will restrain h"r
from that end That she showed year ago
when she championed, protected ana ehcour-
/ aged Turkey I'm the Armenian massacres. she
won at that time the goodwill Of Turkey ana
/ indeed established a virtual protectorate over
the LATTER. OF which this new bargain VIII mere
/ l., olive fullnr evidence Her implacable hatred
of Greece affords another reason for credItlng
/ the story. for in no way could that hatred be
moro cffectually gratihcd than by robbing
| crooco of Crete and Of the other islands anu
Uttorol provinces which form "Grecia IRE
denta.''
/ Moreover AS IS we'll known Russia has long
had designs upon Mount Athos, and indeed
/ something more than designs. That historic
| ncninsula is the seat OF Il great Greek monas-
ferry II Is now some fourteen years since lius-
e., sent thither some two thousand or more
veteran soldiers in the guise OF monks, TO De
inmates Of the monastery. As they brought
with them rich gifts, supplied from the treas
ury of the Gar they were readily adhltled.
They. and comrades who have joined then' are
sin there. They have received from KuSSll
vost stores of artillery and ammunition, ana
! ,bov have transformed the place into Il power
PM Uussion fortress Of which they are the mill
torv garrison AS Mount Athos Is by nature Il
variable Gibraltar, dominating Salonika ana
,ho whole Thracan and Macedonian coast, the
vo,ue q Russia of such a possession Is evident.
How Austria Hungary will enjoy the situation
may Inc imacined-by those with gifts for lurld
picuring. 49,,
What will the Powers 9ay TO 1t? Austrla-lila
cary is most concerned, but she can do nothr@'
because nothing Is more certain than that tier
many would play her false ana leave her 10 h"F
fate in n war with Russia. Gteat Britain might
be supposed TO he concerned But as Russia
move is only a repetition of Great Britain own
Cyprus convention with Turkey, on an extended
scale. remonstranccs from Downing street
would provoke the laughter of the gods As
for the others their serious opposition TO kus-
STA is out Of the question. So If such bargain
has been made It will probably be carried out,
and in that case we may expect great increase
and an indefinite proongaton OF Turkish out
rnces and massacres in Armenia AMI Crete ana
wherever there are Christians To he the prey OF
Moslcm fanaticlsm.