The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-07-28

was secured complete independence for
The. Christian populations Of Montene-
gro and which created the new state
Of Bulgaria with a seaport on the
Egean Sea. Bulgaria was to be a
mere blind for Russia. The British
Government took alarm contending
that any such step reopened those ques-
lions already settled on the abdication
Of Napoleon. A Congress Of "the Big
Five" was accordingly called in Ber-
lin. This time Prince Bismarck pre-
sided. Prince Gorchakof represented
The Gear, Count Andrassy, Austria and
Lords Bsaconsfleld and Salisbury the
interests Of Great Britain. Under the
conditions Of this treaty Turkey was
'horn of some Of her territory. which
was added to Austria; the principality
of Bulgaria was recognized as an au-
.onomous Power with Christian Gov
srnment and a national militia. Stipu-
ated reforms were to be introduced in
10 Crete. Epirus, Thessaiy, Armenia.
and other parts Of the Ottoman EN-
,ire.
Lord Beaconsfield went back from
Berlin with the cry of Peace with
honor" the ludicrousness Of the situa-
lion being that there was neither peace
nor honor. Two years ago the most
.rightful massacres took place In Ar
nenia and when Lord Salisbury who
was a member of the conference was
appealed to by the Christian sentiment
If England to enforce the treaty, Lord
Salisbury jauntily declared that the
redress of Armenian injustice was not
function of the Conservative party.
The great leader of the Liberals who
lad formerly stirred England over the
Bulgarian atrocities was not in Par
lament, and Sir Vernon Harcourt was
ls silent as a heap Of baggage on the
opposition bench.
The next arrangement which might
ly affected the worlds destinies was
hat at the Town Hall of Shimonoseki
n April, 1895. Count Ito was at home
IN this occasion and Ii Hung Chang
With Mr.. Foster of America and Count
Cassini in the back ground safe guard
ing those of China. AS most of the
Chinese feet was either In the hands
,f the Japanese or at the bottom of
he Yalu river or in the harbor of Wei
Hei-Wei, and the victorious armies of
he Mikado were in sight of Pekin, the
Chinese had no alternative but to con-
.ede whatever was demanded, knowing
hat Russia, Germany and France,
which constitute the Triple Alliance"
,or the control of the Orient would
Teto any immoderate terms. japan
demanded the cession of the Liao Tung
peninsula, the warships already in
Japanese hands, control OF Port Arthur
md 2OO,OOO,O00.
The Plenipotentiaries held five ses-
lions, the result Of which was that the
mailed hand Of Russia was seen be-
hind the Chino-Japanese war. japan
aad to be satisfied with the money in
iemnity and Formosa, Russia more re-
.ently taking the Lao Peninsula and
valuable railroad rights in that terri
,ory which is now virtually a Russian
province Great Britain apparently
lid not know that anything was ham
pening until the Russian bear had
completely fortified himself in the Gulf
In ice-free port and an outlet In the
Pacific Ocean which 1t destines ere long
20 be a Russo-American Lake. But
England finally assured the continu-
.nce Of peace by taking Wei-Hei-Wei.
While these events were taking place
In the far East, this country was Great
ng q diversion of momentious import
,nce in Venezuela and the message of
President Cleveland In December, 1895.
was admirably timed whether Cleve-
and 30 intended 1t or not. to create
inch disturbance In London as would
,ot only vindicate the Monroe doc
rine in Venezuela but also repay Rus
da for the famous midnight treaty"
n 1866. under which Alaska was ceded
n the United States. To Russian as
distance and Russian friendship for the
limited States we are indebted for the
,resent encouraging foreign policy un-
Ter which, particularly with the pos
,ession of the Philippine Islands, we
ire sure to have an open door" in the
orient independent Of any Power on
,arth. In fact 1t is no longer either
he big Four" or the big Five" 1t
9 now the big Six" as any further
reaty making in consequence of the
,resent war with Spain, will abundant
" reveal to anyone who does not al
ready see the United States looming
,minously upon the destinies Of the
century that is now at our doors.
America is henceforth going to have
,oreign markets for her manufactures
and a foreign policy Of her own and
europe will have to reckon with our
ralleyrands in the great events OF the
uture.
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