Year: 1876

Prince Gortschakof's note, an outline Of
which is given in the telegrams, is impor-
tant as exhibiting what great difficulties are
in the way of a satisfactory adjustment Of
the main issue between Russia on the one
hand and England and Turkey on the other.
In the light Of this note and the English in
structions to the Marquis OF Salisbury it
may well be thought that the ambassadors
ut Constantinople, if they ever get past the
preliminary obstacles to the conference, will
encounter at the outset Of their deliberations
problem that negotiation cannot solve.


Turkey, it should be remembered, reso-
lutely takes the position that consent will
not be given, in any circumstances, to the
military occupation Of Turkish territory by
any Power whatever In this though II
cannot precisely be said that the Sultan is
supported BY England. yet England's posi-
tion is so much nearer 10 that taken by
Turkey than to the ground Of the Russians
that if the Ministry shall in any contingency
be compelled to choose between these two
there can scarcely be any doubt that the
Sultan will in this point receive Englands



structions Of tho Marquis of Salisbury the
one point is made definite that he is to
secure the best terms for the Christians in
Turkey that may be possible without in
fringemcnt upon the territorial integrity of
the Ottoman Empire. Here it is clear
enough that the fact esteemed Of most
moment-tbc fact to which tho welfare Of
the oppressed rayahs is secondary and
subordnatc---is the territorial integrity"
That the Suitan's realm shall remain intact
is the first solicitudc Of England. II she
can aid the Christians, very we'll but she
must aid them subject to the condition that
her doing it does not mperil the limits of
the Ottoman Empire. or she will not did
them at all.


Russian diplomacy takes a precisely op-
poste view to that taken in England. As
England is for Turkish integrity in any
event. and the support of the Christians if
possible, the Russians are for the rescue
and support of the Christians as first duty,
with rs much respect for the territorial in
tegrity as may be consistent with the full
discharge of that primary obligation. Thus
Prince Gortschakoff holds that it is neces-
sary ito subordinate tho integrity Of
Turkey to the guarantees which are
demanded by the interests of humanity
and the peace of Europe" In other
words, Turkeys assent to reforms in her ad-
ministration must imperatively be given
but because of her notorious bad faith her
consent is not enough and guarantees must
be exacted. No guarantee is effective but
foreign control of the whole subject under
protection of foreign soldiery quartered in
the Sultan's country. II such an occupation
is regarded as impairing the territorial
integrity so much the worse for the said in
tegrity. for we must insist upon the occupa-
ton. This is Russias position as demon
strated by her official declarations.


England and Russia WILL therefore, enter
the conference-if there is any conference
with views Numerically opposed on the only
important points to be considered, and each,
from all appearance. equally resolute for its
own view and indisposed to compromise.
From present appearances, therefore, the
difficulties in the negotiation seem to be
necessarily insuperable, and only some
miraculous mitigation Of the temper Of the
parties can avert war.