Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-03-13
TIE GREED OLE RUSSIA.

4 reader of the Register, who is
evidently endeavoring to fathom the
European situation, writes to enquire
why it is that Russia, always the
consistent enemy of the Turk. and al
ways ready to despoil the sick man,
is one of his most sturdy defenders
when little Greece wants a small slice
of territory about the size of Crete.
The enquiry carries its own answer
with it. Russia don't want Greece or
any other power to get hold of Crete.
Russia wants that particular island
herself. and has wanted it for long
time. To see it fall into the hands of
Greece would be to see it gone from
Russia for good, whereas, by protect
ing Turkish rights for a while longer,
Russia will stand a chance of getting
Just what she wants when the breakup
of the Sultans dominions finally
comes.
The territorial ambitions Of Russia
may be briefly described as fol-
lows. in this connection:
For two hundred years Russia has
had a steadfast ambition to possess
herself of Constantinople On two or
three occasions she came near getting
it. but each time she was compelled by
other powers to temporarily draw back
from her prey. The last occasion was
at the close of the war of 1S77-7S. Then
the Russian army penetrated Turkey
as far as Adrianople. almost within
sight of Constantinople. and the treaty
of San Stefano. which followed, left
Turkey PROSTATE at the feet of Russia,
lint Great Britain interfered the Con-
eress of Berlin was held, and
Russia was forced to yield almost all
The territory she had conquered. Ser
via. Roumania and Montenegro were
made absolutely independent insteadof
being left under the care Of Russia.
Novi Bazaar. Bosnia and Herzegovina
were given to Austrian control, a por-
ton of Thessaly went to Greece, and
Bulgaria was made autonomous with
Eastern Roumelia added while Russia
cot practically nothing except some
odds and ends of barren territory in
Asia. Russia has never gotten over
this forced submission TO united Eu-
rome. and she means to get even at the
first opportunity. meanwhile resolving
that no other nation. not even Greece,
shall have anything Turkish For long
years Russian intrigue has been at
work i'm Bulgaria. in Servia and in
Roumania. and in addition she wants
and is determined TO have sooner or
later Macedonia. Thrace and Albania,
with Constantinople and the contigt-
Gus territory along the Bosphorus and
the Dardanelles. This would give
Russia absolute control of the en-
trance to the Black Sea and make that
sea a Russian lake. The possession OF
Albania would give Russia port Of
the Adriatic. while Crete is wanted be-
cause she could there set up a Medi-
terranean naval station, with the Black
sea ports within easy reaching dis
lance. enabling her to exert
powerful if not predominating in
duence in the eastern Mediterranean
command the Suez canal. and make 1T
comparatively easy to cripple England
in the far East by cutting off the Medi-
terranean route to India. This much
gained. and made secure. the inevitable
and long threatened descent upon India
would follow. with every prospect that
it would succeed.
This. in brief. is the reason why Rus
STA leads the alleged concert Of Eu-
rome against Greece. and also outlines
the Russian programme fairly.