Evening journal., 1898-10-19

cam compare with Borodlno iIp slaugh-
ter is that OF Koniggratz. or sadowa.
in 1866, which ended the Austro-Prus-
san war. Out OF 100000 mon engaged.
$4,000 were killed or woumied-4O 900
Auetrians and 10000 Prusshns-one In
eight only as against one in three
chambNr's journal.
RUSSIA AND CONsTANTINOPLE.
It is assumed by many European OBJ
servers aud politicians that Russia
eternally dres ms Of Occupying Com
stantinople. In truth. Russia's ultl-
mate designs in the Eastern question
by no means, blind her to the imme-
date consequences Of her conduct. 10
occupy Const antinoplf It is necessary
first to occupy Bospho rus. and this can
be done in one OF these three ways: G)
BY force, against the consent of Tur-
key; CD with the consent OF the SUI
tan's government, and CD with tho
consent Of the powers as we'll as Of the
sultan
Let US ask. What would become OF
Constautlnopie in either Of these cases?
Cf course. it is not always possible TO
forecast the development OF things. but
probability allows us TO make the fol-
lowing supposltons II we Russians
should succeed in taldng possession OF
the BOsphorus by force, anarchy would
at once be inaugurated I'M CONSTANT
nople, and the Turks would be cem-
PEELED to emlgrate to Asia. The sug-
ma would be given gor appalling mas
sacrcs and atrocities. AT the same time
( the varlo1s and umerous claimants
for different portions OF the Ottoman
empire would hafaen to grab the COW
eted territory. Turkey would In fact
be divided, but not permanently. AT
first the mi nor governments would ac-
quire their slices, and then the great
pretenders would step IN and effect a
second division. What sort OF Con-
stantinople would this situation place
lin our pos8esBion?. The home and
storm centre of civil war and disorder.
requiring the expenditure OF untold
| treasure and energy in the interest OF
paclfcation. The whole Turkish en-
pirc would be In state OF anarchy and
violent conflict, with the powers quar-
rellng and threatening each other over
the spoils. Does anyone seriously inn
agine that Russia is attracted by such
pronpct?
To occupy the Bosphorus with the
consent Of Turkey is an alternative
which we undoubtedly deem the hap
piest solution Of the present difficulty
so full of menace to both govern
ments. To Russia It would mean the
delivery to Russia of the key to her
own house, while to Turkey II would
mean security and safety. The sultan's
authority would be confirmed, and as
sured, and nc would be freed from the
danger of malicious and subterranean
plotting. An end would be put TO that
incredible situation under which the
absurd grimacing Of little Greece is
sufficient to threaten the fall OF the
empire But, clearly. this solution
would not give us Constantinople. On
the contrary It would perpetuate and
strengthen the rule Of Turkey In that
world-metropolls.
There remains. then, the possibility
Of occupying the Bosphorus with the
consent of the Europeans powers. In
the first place, no such consent can be
expected. England, as a consideration
for her acquiescence. would demand a
compensation which Russia could not
grant her. In the second place, sup
posing this obstacle to be removed, the
occupation OF the Bosphorus by Rus
elan forces would involve the forcing
Of the Dardanel.es by European fleets,
land the effect of such startling news on
the subjects of the sultan can be real
ICED by Russia alone. European di-
piomacy Is at bottom incapable of COM
pretending the Turkish question. To
it the division of that empire presents
itself as a rearrangement OF the map
but we who. as nation, still live more
by feeling and instinct than by rea-
soning and ejaculation, know that TO
dismember Turkey is to quarter a
living being. II the sultan should fail
Ito raise the banner OF the prophet some
new AIahdi would do t.. and the fanati
cal Turks would fight as they have
never fought yet 1t is Idle to think
that bold and united sront on the
part Of European governments would
inspire terror in the Mussulmans and
cause them to hesitate and submit. No;
at a critical period for the supremacy
} OF their race and faith, they would be
found united, disciplined and deter