The Cook County news-herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Cook County, Minn.) 1909-current, 1915-05-27

GVcu the eXlSIlnS trade route TO In
dia via the Suez canal would be en-
dangered by Russia's possession of Con-
stantinople, for although today Great
Britain and Russia are allies it by no
means follows that they will always be
friends. Indeed, Sir Edward Grey and
those intrusted with the direction OF
the foreign policies Of the British en-
pire would be wanting both in patriot
ism and in farsighted craftsmanship
We're they to neglect to take into COLI
sideration the possibility Of Russia and
England drifting apart and even re-
verting to their oldtime enmity.
There are other reasons, too, which
render not only England, but also
France, reluctant to see their Russian
ally established in possession Of Con-
stantinople. Both powers have mil
lions upon millions Of Moslems subject
to their rule. The followers Of Islam
who accord their allegiance to the
British crown in India and in Africa
may be numbered at near 10000, 900.
Rightly or wrongly, Russia has al
ways been regarded by Mohammedans
in all parts Of the world as the chief
foe of Islam, largely in consequence
Of her numerous wars against the
Turks and her we'll known determina-
ton to possess herself of Constantine
pie.
Were England and France to lend
themselves to the establishment of
Russia at STEAMBOAT and to the substi-
tuition Of the Muscovite cross in the
place of the crescent on the great dome
Of the mosque Of st. Sophia they
would incur the bitter resentment of
all their Moslem lieges, resentment
which could not fail to become a
source not merely of weakness, but
even of grave peril to their respective
nations. Moreover, neither Of these
powers is particularly anxious to ex-
change the military terrorism which
Germany has for the last forty years
exercised on the concert Of Europe for
the domination of the latter by Russia.
It must be borne in mind that there
are other nations which are equally
eager to secure possession of Constan-
tinople and consider that they have
quite as great right thereto as Rus
STA. 10 begin with, there are the
Greeks, who yearn for the realization
Of their national dream of the restora-
ton Of the ancient Grecian or Byzan-
tine empire, with it's capital, not at
Athens, but at Constantinople. They
regard themselves as the lawful heirs
! Of the Greek dynasties that reigned at
Constantinople before it fell into the
hands Of the Turks in the fifteenth
century, and have popular prophecy,
according to- which the city is to pass
| into their hands when they are ruled
| by a Constantine and Sophia. which
arc the names of their present king
and queen. The Greeks at Constanti-
nople form the richest. largest and
most important element Of the popula-
ton, who have contributed in no small
measure to it's prosperity and develop
ment and who therefore look upon the
city as to great extent their property.
Then there are the Bulgarians, who
are also bent on getting Constantinople.
In fact King Ferdinand, at the outset
of the first Of the Balkan wars made
no secret of his ambition to be crowned
in the ancient Bascilioa Of st. Sophia
restored to- Christian worship-as the
1emperor Of Greaters Bulgaria.