The Dominion. THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 1915. MAKING HISTORY ON A GREAT SCALE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2442, 22 April 1915, Page 4

The Dominion. THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 1915. MAKING HISTORY ON A GREAT SCALE

Some very remarkable viows regarding the rearrangement of territory and the crcation of new spheres of influence which may be expected to take place when the time comes for settling the terms of peacc have been expressed in the course of an interview by Professor Milukoff,the Leader _ of the Constitutional Democrats in the Russian Duma. According to a cablegram which appears in another column, Professor Milukoff states that Russia's proSramme provides for "liberty in the lack Sea." This probably means that the Black Sea will be thrown open for the unfettered use of all nations. In other words,- it will lie made just as free to the world's shipping as the Mediterranean gr the Baltic. At present there are important restrictions regarding the use of tho Dardanelles, the strait which connects the Sea of Marmora with the iligean Sea. By a treaty which was signed in 1841 it was provided that no warships, cxccpt those belonging to Turkey, should pass through the Dardanelles without the consent of the Turkish Government. This agreement was reaffirmed in' 1871 and 1878. The strait was closed to merchant shipping in April, 1912, during the .war between Italy and Turkoy. This action evoked a protest from Britain and other Powers, and the Dardanelles were re-opened after the lapse of a month. The control of the straits between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean is of the utmost importance to Russia, and Professor Milukoff states that Russia will he given, possession of these historic waterways separating Europe from Asia. This probably means that Russia will occupy Constantinople. Indeed, Professor Milukoff asserts that an agreement to that effect has actually oeen coueluded by the Allies. The interview is not an official utterance, but it may reasonably bo regarded as a reliable presentation in broad outline of tho official point of vew. As leader of an important political party, Professor Milukoff probably has sources of information which are not open to tho general public, and in making such a statement for publication to the world he no doubt spoke with a due sense of responsibility. His positive declaration that the consent of Britain and France to Russia's occupation of Constantinople has been embodied in a written agreement is decidedly interesting. For many years tho possession of ConI stantinople has been one of the principal aims of Russian foreign, policy. At one time this desire nearly led to_ a war with Britain, ' But many things _ have happoned since then, and British public opinion has undergone a groat change regarding the 'destiny of tho Turkish capital. It has now become evident that the days of Ottoman rule in Europe are numbered, and most people will be inclined to agree with the view of Dr. R. W. Setox-AYatson that "as matters stand to-day there is only one Power which can replace the Turks as master of Constantinople, and that Power is Russia." The transfer of the possession of Constantinople and the control of the Dardanelles from Turkey to Russia-, if that was the only outcome of the present war, would stamp tho conflict as an epoch-making event in tho world's history. But it will almost certainly hava other results of equal, if not of even greater importance. The dismomhermont of tho Ottoman Empire appears to he inevitable, and Professor Milukoff makes some striking references to this point. He states that- a portion of Armenia will become autonomous under Russian suzerainty. Armenia has suffered terribly under Turkish misrule, and there can he no doubt that the people would heartily welcome any workable form of self-government. Still more interesting from the British point of view is Professor MilukOff's prediction that another great Islamic Empire from Egypt to India, under British rule, will bo created. A writer in the Scotsman,' in discussing the question, ' Will the Holy Land Bccome British 1 !" points out that Palestine adjoins Egypt and Sinai, and that "the trade of this ancicnt and historic land is in British hands. True. Franco has great interests in Northern Syria, and many statesmen are of opinion that Northern Syria will ultimately pass to France, and the Holy Land under the British flag." The writer goes on to say that there is no denying the fact that Turkey is doomed, and tho question as to what should be done with the Holy Land will have to be decided by the Allies in the near future. As regards the formation of a new Islamic Empire under the suzerainty of Britain, Professor Milukoff may only _bo expressing his own personal opinion, but it is quite probable that his remarks are based upon more or less direct information as to the views of the •Russian Government after consultation with the British and French

authorities. History is certainly being made on a great scale, and vast changes in the map of the world will undoubtedly take place. Tt is by no means impossible that Ilia Russian Professor's prophecy may conic true, although Britain may not bo over-eager io assume wluit must for a long time prove a troubletome burden. At the present, lime Britain is the greatest Mohammedan Power in the world, and the manner in winch the Moslems nf India and

Egypt have .stood by her in this .supreme crisis in her history show.; that they recognise and appreciate the ju&Lice aiid' freedom of her rule,

The fall of the Ottoman Empire will involve a change in the location of the Caliphate, and its removal to India would probably meet with the approval of the majority of the followers of Mohammed. They enjoy the fullest religious and civil liberty under the British Hag, and no attempt is made to suppress their racial ideals. The Caliphate has been degraded mul misused by the rulers of Turkey, and millions of Mohammedans have been shocked by the attempt which the Turkish Government h-ns made to exploit their religious feelings in the interests of Germany. Professor MiluKOFF makes references to other problems which will come up for solution in connection with the peace settlement. The whole interview ; s an arresting utterance. The questions dealt with are of the most tremendous importance, and one would like to have more definite information as to the weight of authority behind the Professor's statements. It would be extremely interesting to know just how far they disclose the programme outlined in the consultations which have taken place between the British, French, and Russian Governments.