The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-11-08

Turkey finds itself right in the mid dle of mighty bad fix. It has al- lowed itself to be forced into war which can only result in it's expulsion from. Europe. Russia has long coveted Constantinople. Time and again, the Museovite has reached out a hand to seize one of the most magnificent ports in the world Each time heretofore his desire has been thwarted. Now it seems almost certain that the city of Con- stantine once again will be the posses sion of Christian power, and that power will be Russia.
 In the past England has been the chief nurse at the bedside of the sick man of Europe. British diplomacy and British battleships have been the medi- cine which has kept alive the mori- bund nation Great Britain would have gladly taken Constantinople for her self but she has not dared. All the while, however she has been strong enough to keep it from Russia. For many years, England has acted as first friend" of the Porte. Now these quon- dam cronies are at war It is almost positive that, if victorious, Russia will demand as part of the. spells the gate way from the Black sea to the Medi- erranean. Nor can this demand be justly denied. It is necessary for her continued growth and progress.
 Even did England want to say nay" would she dare? However long the European war may last, Russia is not going to be seriously crippled. It's mou- Jiks are unnumbered and properly equipped and led they fight with all human valor and endurance. The birth rate of Russia is a marvel to the other countries of Europe. The fecundity of the Muscovite mother is weapon stronger than all the guns that have ever been cast in the enormous works at Essen. When England France, Aus tria and Germany lie prostrate and bleeding, Russia will still be strong
 Constantine of Greece is a first cousin of George of England; likewise of Nicholas of Russia. Not that this fact really amounts to as much as "scrar of paper" but Constantine might use
 
 join the war on the side of the triple entente. Something much more ma. teria1 Is the fact that the interests o1 his country and the interests of Fur key are utterly at variance. The two nations have been foes for centuries Back about 1S96-I am not certain re- garding the date and no book of ref erence is immediately at hand-Greece undertook to whip Turkey and got wei trounced for her pains. Recently ir conjunction with the allied states o1 the Balkan peninsula she got her re- venge. Only the breaking out of dis sensions over the spells of war pre- vented Turkeys losing greater amount of territory than she did. Il probably win be the play of England when the time for the carving of Tur- key comes around, to suggest that Con. stantinople be turned over to the lat. ter day Constantine.
 Will Russia be willing to accede tC this? I think not. And there are many reasons leading to such con clusion. In the first place, as ha. been mentioned, the possession of Con stantinople for many. many years ha, | been her chiefest ambition. only too often has she had the cup to her lips | and had it dashed aside. In this war her sacrifices will be great. The Cza' l has repeated his boast that peace witt Germany will only be made after tn, Kaiser has been utterly crushed. If tn, crushing is done. it must be done b. Russia. Then why should her claims