The Globe. FRIDAY JULY 19, 1878.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1381, 19 July 1878, Page 2

The Globe. FRIDAY JULY 19, 1878.

W ITH tlio scanty information at. present to hand, it is exceedingly difficult to realise the full effect of the Berlin Congress and of the Convention between England and Turkey. When the treaty of San Stofano was signed, and before the representives of the powers had completely altered its provisions, the people of England at last awoke to the terrible danger which had overtaken the country. It was seen what Russian preponderance meant. It was discovered that the Turkish Empire had almost ceased to exist, and that Russia was about to infuse now life into the dead body. As was pointed out at the time by a London contemporary, it would be the Russian power to which the Khedive of Egypt would owe allegiance, and to which tho Kurds and tho Wahabees would render the obedience hitherto rendered by tho Montenegrins. Instead of a supine, and, on tho whole, a benevolent neighbour, wo would, it was said, have had a watchful enemy in every one of our gates. Russia and Russo-Turkey together would have surrounded the Black Sea, enveloped Persia and the Caspian, overshadowed Egypt, included tho whole of tho Levant, commanded the yEgean, and even threatened the Adriatic. Such, it was shown at the time, was tho terrible significance of the arrangements concluded at San Stofano, Yot in a few weeks how completely the whole aspect of the Eastern Question changed. Tho territory of the Turkish Empire in Europe has certainly boon largely reduced. Roumania, Servia, and Montenegro have been declared independent. Bulgaria north of tho Balkans has boon erected into an independent state, and the frontier of Greece has been pushed further north. But Turkey has boon permitted to retain substantial territory on tho European side of tho Straits. Those water-ways to the Black Sea are still to remain in Turkish hands; and she is to bo released from tho pressure which would undoubtedly have been exercised had the boundaries of a state under Russian influence extended within a short distance of the gates of Constantinople. Apart, however, altogether from the work of the Conference, British diplomacy has completely altered our relations with tho Turkish Empire. About the time of tho signing of the Treaty of San Stefano, Turkey was to all appearance not only at the mercy of Russia, she was strongly anti-British. But during the last few weeks a complete change has taken place. English influence has driven back the conqueror, and procured terms for Turkey that she never hoped to obtain. Tho Auglo-Turkish Convention has given Great Britain the right to interfere in Turkish affairs far beyond that conferred by the treaties of 1856 and 1871, tho first of which was the result of the expenditure of a vast amount of blood and treasure. Tho cession of Cyprus has given our country a naval and military station within easy reach of tho Bosphorus on the one hand, and the Suez Canal on the other. Moreover, tho Convention has completely reversed the relative position of Russia and England towards Turkey. A few months ago the former was all paramount, now it is tho latter which rules at Constantinople. As we have said, it is difficult to realise the change which has taken place in Eastern Europe since the Congress began its sittings, but this much is plain: diplomacy and a firm and resolute attitude have gained for England what the Czar has not succeeded in obtaining after a costly and ruinous war. He has not got possession of Constantinople, nor is Russian influence dominant in Turkey. On the other hand England has acquired the right to interfere in Turkish affairs, and has received at her hands a valuable station which will enable her to act with promptitude in any future emergency. Russia does not overshadow Egypt, command the yEgoan, or threaten Persia. Our Eastern Empire has been relieved from a terrible danger, and in such a manner as must have done much to restore our prestige in the eyes of Europe.

There exists in Dunedin an institution entitled the Patients’ and Prisoners’ Aid Society, which has just held its first annual meeting. From the report submitted we find that it employs an agent whose duty it is to conduct services in the Gaol, Hospital, and Lunatic Asylum, and also to visit those institutions daily. The society renders assistance in a variety of ways to the patients in the above institutions, and to discharged prisoners. It is to this latter part of the work done that we wish to direct attention. It uses efforts to find employment for discharged prisoners, and in some cases provides them with the means of beginning IPo again. The propriety of starting such an institution hero might very well bo considered, If well directed, its labours should result in a largo amount of good. As a rule society has not done with a criminal when once ho is discharged from gaol. The prison brand is upon him, and it is often very difficult to begin an honest life again. A helping hand is required to give him a start, and a little judicious attention is often needed to encourage such to earnestly strive to continue in an honest and reputable career. This is especially the case with those who are not hardened criminals, but who from sudden temptation forfeit their liberty. In their case the labors of a Prisoners’ Aid Society .have often been the means of saving the objects of their charity from committing fresh crimes, and so converting them into useful members of the community. “To help such as those is indeed a noble work;” we therefore hope that the benevolent amongst us may follow the example of the Dunedin community, and establish a Prisoners’ Aid Society here.