Russia and Constantinople.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15874, 13 April 1917, Page 6

Russia and Constantinople.

Until the internal troubles of Russia havo been settled, and the Government is re-established on something like a stable basis, wo shall be wiso not 1o attach too much importance to rumours which, reach us from Petrograd. In normal times, for example, tho statement that the Government had "rclin- " quished Russia's claim to Con-

" star.tinoplc as a part of her "peace terms'' would naturally cause us some disquiet by leading us to suspcct that Russia was tired of the war, and anxious to conclude a separato peace. It is very probable that Turkey would bo glad to pull out of the war at once if assured of the continued possession of Constantinople. So far as can be gathered at present, however, it would appear that it is only the extremists—members of the Council of Soldiers' and Sailors' Deputies—who are in favour of relinquishing this claim, and M. Kerensky, tho VicePresident, who has given public expression to the suggestion, is reported as having added: "If the German "Socialists think wo are going to make "a separato pcace they are bitterly "mistaken."

Of course, if, in the final settlement, Russia decided to relinquish her claim to Constantinople, other members of tho Entente, who havo already admitted the claim, would not have the slightest ground of objection. It would, suit their interests even better if Constantinople and tho passage from the Aegean to the Black Sea were internationalised. There is also something to be said from tho Russian Pacifists' point of view for accepting such a solution, seeing that the possession of Constantinople undoubtedly entails serious responsibilities, and might easily become tho cause of war in the future. At present, however, there seems to be no reason for serious anxiety about the question. There apparently is a difference of opinion between the Provisional Government and the more Radical element which has the Council as its mouthpiece. It remains to bo seen, what backing, if any, the latter have in the array. It is tho army which will havo the last word in a constitutional crisis of this kind, and it is difficult to believe that the army, which has fought so well under every disadvantage and suffered so much, will wish to throw up the sponge just as the Allies are making a determined and to all appearance a successful attempt to secure a decisive •victory. Renter's correspondent, at any. rate, considers it unlikely that tho extremists will succeed in view' of tho steadfastness of the Government, comprising the best elements of Russia.