Year: 1879

without increasing portion Of the
THE DUKE OF ARGYLL ON TIE EASTERN QUESTION.


''The Eastern Question from the Treaty Of 1856 to
the Treaty OF Berlin, 1875 and to the Second Afghan
War" is the title of work in two volumes by the
Duke of Argyll. just issued by Messrs Strahan
& Co., of London. The volumes have great
value as historical work, although the
Duke writes indeed avowedly liberal
and as an assailant of the policy of the
Ministry. But his work is not mere party
pamphlet; it is the fullest record in convenient
form that has yet been given of the events that have
transpred since 1856 and the story is told to large
extent by extracts from official documents. Its his
torca Importance therefore. is very great and the
student who wants at future time to follow the
events of 1875878 and ascertain the general views
of the liberal party the policy of the government
during that period, will find this work Of ines
timable assistance. In the preface the Duke Of
Argyll points out that the Eastern question when
it rose in 1876. involved Of the fundamental
principles of morality and politics. and that it had
no necessary connection with party spirit. When.
however. it asserted that British interests
quired that England should support Turkey. there
could be no compromise on the part of those who
condemned this doctrine. 1t was, he maintains, in





the second place of the great foes which always
involved in q course Of injustice and wrong.
The first chapter of the work deals with
the treaties of 1856 and England's obliga-
tions under them. 1t is mainly occupied with
two points. The Duke first endeavors to show
that the article which admitted the Porte partci-
pate In the public law and system of Europe did not
mean that Turkey to be treated having civil
ization equal to that Of the European Powers. It's
meaning was that Turkey brought within the
European system in the meaning Of the treaties Of
1914 and 1915 and that therefore her fate not
matter Of Russian, but Of common interest and
The second point which h ne ss is that
up in defence OF Turkey when attacked by Rus
sin. The second chapter deals with the condition
Of Turkey from 1856 to 1873 and Is entirely
founded on official documents. To those who think
that the state Of the European provinces Of Turkey
in 1875 was due to exceptional causes they will be
interesting reading. The reports Of agents and
suls during that period show that all the evils whcn
drove the population to nsurrecton in 1875 existed
during all that time. Among the most remarkable
documents quoted by the Duke Is despatch from
SIR wStan rom the Us
1885, and 1t ought to be Of some benefit
to those who think that the administration Of
needless for me says General Williams 'to assure
Your Lordship. that no language can portray the
infamy which characterizes the life and character of
this body Of men (the Turkish poce The scenes
of their exploits lie in the villages. and more
although IT must be stated the Mnssuman cnltivator
does not escape their insolence extortion and
rapne." The third chapter relates to the conduct Of
European Powers toward Turkey from 1855 to 1875.
II IL commonly supposed that after the conclusion
OF the Crimean war, the English government
Turkey, and never took any steps to that tho
promises which she gave to the Powers at Paris were
saSe OUT The Duke OF refers to the neer
in the affairs Of Syria and describes 1t per-
feet example of principles on which the European
protectorate Turkey can alone be exercised with
any decent regard to Justice He thinks that when
the cretan insurrection broke out the same course
ought to have been taken with regard to Crete.
1t was the events in Crete that first
led the Duke to look closely into the con.
examine how far the Porte had carried out its prom
ised reforms, and probably from that time may bo
dated his hostility to the continuance of Turkish
rule Unfortunately tory government was then in
Office. and Lord Derby refused to allow the Eng
lish mcn-of-war to carry off women and children
1870 Lord Granville wrote despatch unnecessarily
polite and smooth in its tone. in which Turkey was
In the following chapter The Duke traces the
history of affairs from the outbreak OF the in.
surrection in Herzegovina to the rejection
OF the Berlin Memorandum, in May, 1896
1t is melancholy record. Never before, perhaps has
any English government made such an exhibition of
feebeness and folly and unhappily Lord Derby must
bear the chief share in the blame of those transac-
tions. Since he left the British Cabinet there has
few liberals who read the Duke Of Argys narrative
OF the events Of 1876 and 1876 will be disposed to for
give the weakness which he displayed in this part OF
his career. The Duke of Argyll throws some light ON
the history of the Berlin Memorandum. 1t Is COM
monty supposed that this document was prepared IN
secrecy by the three Emperors, and presented
point blank ut the heads of the British govern.
ment with something like order TO resign.
In fact. their refusal accept the Memorandum was
popular not so much from anything contained IN
the document as because 1t was regarded az an evi
dence of spirit and courage. As matter or fact the
English government was informed OK the substance
OF the Memorandum weeks before 1t was prepared,
and Prince Bismarck told them that the Powers would
be ready to modify II in way TO suit the views oe
the English government. 'Thc Bulgarian Massacress
Their Causes and Effects, form the subject oe
another chapter. Then follows dramatic account
of the Conference ut Constantinople In 1876. Tho
writer then reviews the course OF events from
the close of the till the outbreak Of tho
war, He shows that not the slightest effort was
made by the Turkish government to carry out its
its old habit of sympathy with the Porte 1t refused
TO join in every effort to bring effective pressure
Turkey and the protocol of London-which was the
nearest approach to coercion to which the English
accompanying declarations. The Duke traces the
history Of the war; the negotiations which
took place during its progress, the ar.
mistice and Treaty Of San stefano, and
Berlin On the deliberations Of that body the opin-
ion Of the Duke Is summed up In this statement.
that all the good In IL done In spite of England.
and that nearly all the evil In it her work. Tho
last half of the second volume is concerned with tho
Afghan question, and IL contains some interesting
matter From Lord Msyos private letters to him-
self the Duke of Argyll gives history of the pro-
ceedings of the Conference at Umballa and makes
two things perfectly clear-that Lord Mayo assured
the Ameer that we would never force Residents upon
him; and next. the Ameer had never indicated any
opinion that he might agree to accept the presence
OF English Residents.


"CODGER" WEIGH.