Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1914-11-30

victor.
Russia <carS Aim.
Az no previous stage of the inter-
miitent conflict has Russia been
apparently so near to the accomplish
ment OF her long desire. The possess
sion of Constantlnpole and the COM
mand OF the sole outlet TO the Black
sea are, Of course, perfectly legltI-
mate objects OF Russian ambition
Since the war with Japan they are
OF more consequence than ever. on
a dozen or more occasions since the
death of Mustufa III In it73 these
objects might have been attained had
Russia been unhampcred by the 9TH
cr powers. But for one reason or an.
other international icalousies inter-
vened to prevent this Now Great
Britain. now France. now Austria.
separately or In combination. with
held the Russian hand. At the Con-
grcss Of Vienna In 1916 II was pro-
posed that the powers should Join In
guaranteeing the integrity of the OF
toman empire, but the sultan object
ed TO this humiliation, and Russia
maintained her assertion of right
to isolated action. This was the be-
ginning OF the Eastern question In "A
HibutfH SENSE.
Fails To Work Reforms.
The one real hope for Turkey, at
this time and for many years after
lay In Internal reform. The revolt Of
the Greeks In 1921 emphasized this
fact. Popular sympathy for the
Greek cause In England found ex-
preston In Cannlng's recognition OF
the rebels as belligerents. This In
N nf
as 20 English designs In the Levant
and led to an offer OF mediation by
Russia and Austria. which the porto
rejected. Egypt was then drawn into
the war. and Ibrahim Pasha overran
the Morea. once more Russia threat
ened Intervention In behalf of the OPP
pressed Christians once more Can
ring acted TO keep the issue In the
hands OF the powers. Although Aus
tria aud Prussia withdrew from the
conference. Great Britain. France and
Russia recognized in the treaty of
London. In 1897. the autonomy of
Greece under the suzerainty OF Tur-
key; but this program was interrupt
ed by the naval battle OF Navarino,
at which the combined squadrons un-
der Sir Edward Codrington destroyed
the Turkish fleet. II Is said that King
William ", a sailor himself. scribbled
on the margin of tho cautious instruc-
tions sent TO the British admiral the
words. Go ii. Nedl" At all events.
Sir Edward did "go It," and the fat
was In the fire once more.
The consequence was that Turkey
broke off all relations with the pow
ers and engaged In a holy war;
Meanwhile. Canning had died. and
England reverted to the old policy OF
preserving the integrity OF the Otto
man empire. so that Russia was left
to fight alone. She won the victory.
but even so, she could not break up
that empire completely. BY the treaty
of Adrianople the Danubian principal
tiles became practically Independent
states. and thus Turkish suzerainty
was left To plague Europe down to
the time of the Balkan war. 1t
seemed 10 be. the only alternative be-
tween preserving Turkey or destroy
ing her Hut IL was In q sense the
fons ct orieo malls in the modern
eastern question.
on one condition only could Turkey
be left sovereign power I'm Europe
she must enter upon a definite policy
of reform. Russia, indeed, had every
reason for blocking this program; II
Turkey proved her right 20 exist. the
Russian flag would not soon fly over
This was precisely
what the other powers. Great Britain
and France In particular, did not de-
sire. The efforts OF the British ann
bassador at Constantnople, Lord
Stratford de Rcdcliffe, "the great Eli
ehl," to rejuvenate the inflrm empire
for time seemed to promise success.
That remarkable man acquired an in
fluence over the Turkish government
which the cordial cooperation OF the
powers might have made supreme.
There was no inherent impracticabii-
Ity in reform i'm Turkey But the con-
fllcting ambitions of Nicholas ! ana |
Napoleon Ill prevented such cooper
alton: and after the crlmean war, |
though spasmodic efforts at reform
we're made, the eastern question be- !
came the football of International
politics again. Russia wanted Con-
and the other powers were
determined she should not have It;
hat was oil.
The war of 1877 did not settle the
matter. Turkey was no match for
Russia but when the latter again
Constantinople British
'leet was sent to the Bosporus. The /
reaty of Berlin, when Disrael, as he
iaid. won peace with honor" left |
hings much as they were, except that i
he principle of Turkish suzerainty
instead OF sovereignty was somewhat
urther extended. Since then the fate
# Turkey has been hanging in the |
balance. The rise of the young Turks
n 1908 was hailed as an evidence OF
turkish regeneration; but young Turk
las proved to be only old Turk writ
argc. and the Balkan war was one
II the first results Of the aggressive
of Moslemism. A Sec
rNl result has been the appearance
{ Russia In the role of protector OF
he Slavic Kingdoms against
turkey only, but against Austria and
sermany who have been playing IN
tier years the part once played by
,ngland and France. For Austria
eeks extension southwark and Ger
lany has In mind the domination OF
he orient.
Plainly, therefore, the fate of Tur-
ey and OF Constantinoplc is likely TO
Q settled for good by the present
ar. Should the allies win the goal
( Russian ambition would be al
lined. should they lose Turkey
ould become little more than a Ger
ian province 1t requires no gift OF
rophecy TO foresee in this latter
vent endless struggles in the Balkans
nd fresh wars along the coasts OF {
ie Mediterranean and Red sea. In '
lese circumstances II Is plainly for
lie advantage OF the world that Rus 4
a should rule in Constantlnople. |
either England nor France has now s
ny good reason to object The east l
N question has been marvelously
since the days Of the !
rimean war y