Year: 1879

In the London Times it was argued few
days since that the true object of the Treaty
OF Berlin was to curb the power of Russia
in Eastern Europe-to limit that power in
the interests of England, and that the real
author of the treaty was Prince Bismarck.
Consequently it followed that "Englands
prestige" in Continental concerns was under
the patronage of the Prince; that his policy
not only pointed to but involved the sup
port of England in her irrepressible conflict
with Russia. and that it ranged him neces-
sarily as an opponent and adversary OF hus-
sian designs and ambitions.


By the results of the war Russia was left
practically in possession OF Turkey In
Europe, and in such position with regard
to even Constantinople that it could not
have been kept out of her hands if she had
been permitted to give way to her desire to
obtain that city. She was sin position
of undue advantage in Turkish Europe"
and the Treaty of San Steiano ''was the
assertion" of that position. Therefore,
'.the neglected rights and interests of the
other Powers" needed counter assertion, in
order that ''the necessity of having re-
course to arms" might be avoided. With
out such counter assertion Eng
land was apparently determined to
send against the Emperor of Russia
all the troops she could raise above
what she needed in Zululand and
force him to retire Immediately from his
conquests in Turkey. But the Treaty OF
Berlin did it all peaceably. And this treaty
with this purpose was forced upon Russia
by the great German statesman; and it is
: even perceptible in England that he hes
always pursued the same policy-has always
''inclined the balance in favor of the West"
when it was at issue with Russia. Indeed,
the Times is encouraged by all these con-
siderations to believe that seven under the
most disadvantageous circumstances West
ern influence will never again be disre-
garded in the affairs of Europe;" and that
''from this moment we take q new point of
departure on the subject"-that is, we act
against Russia under German patronage.


In France it is limited that this English
theory of the relations Of Prussia to Russia
and England is perhaps erroneous only as
to the period given to it by the Times,
which makes it historical. whereas it is not
true as to the past hut may be true as to
! the present. AS to what was done by the
, Prince ut Berlin, and as to whether he
favored there the views Of England against
Russia we have sufficiently explicit decla-
ration from himself to the effect that he
supported at the Congress every claim and
demand made by Russia, and could not
have gone farther in her interest unless
he had been ssmore Russian than the Rus
sians." But is it true that Germany now
actually iurthers the policy of England in
the East and opposes that OF Russia?
Bismarck has declared that the course of
Germany is not directed in these particu-
lars from view Of scientific politics, and
has no relation to results in the future, but
is effected and shaped strictly upon the
sympathetic relations of the courts. 1t is
not what it ought to be and what he would
make it if he had his way. 1t is what the
Emperor directs that it shall be. Now, if
that is really the decisive element in the
determination of Germany's attitude. it is
not probable that she is any more against
Russian policy now than she was some
months since, for the relations of the courts
nre the same.


But it is possible that the German policy
with regard to the countries of European
Turkey, though it has undergone no change.
has been developed in an unexpected di-
rection; and it is always possible that Eng
lish observers and even English statesmen
are deceived by Appearances into hasty
assumption that this development is one
especially favorable to British interests.
| For the Eastern question in its Continental
aspect is the same now as it has been for
fifty years, and its essential point is en-
veloped in the same difficulties that have
kept it undetermined for that period.
How to adjust the respective claims OF Rus
sia and Austria with regard to the disposition
of the States from which the Moslem has
been driven is the great difficulty and it
has been counted that the war for the ex-
pulsion Of the Turks would be the least of
the wars necessary to decide the possession
of the country, which, properly governed.
must become again, as it was anciently, the
grandest seat of empire in Europe. Since
the day of Sadowa Austrian ambition has
turned its eyes down the valley OF the Dam
ube, and has steadily contemplated as its
manifest destiny the continuation of that
progress in virtue of which it first re-
/ ceive6 the name of the Eastern EN-
pire--progress eastward rs the bearer of
civilization and regular government into
countries reclaimed from barbarous and
heathen rulers; and this tendency merely
gave a more energetic impulse to those
notions OF Austrian dominion which states-
men in Vienna have tor generations re-
garded as a necessary consequence of tho