MR FOSTER ON THE EASTERN QUESTION.

Kumara Times, Issue 513, 20 May 1878, Page 3

MR FOSTER ON THE EASTERN QUESTION.

Mr Foster one of the loading Liber«ls in England, in a speech on the Eastern Question recently, made the following remarks, which are at the present time worth special attention :—" I consider there is no danger ■of Russia obtaining possession of Constantinople, and why 1 Because not only England is opposed, but Europe is opposed (cheers) ; and I go. further and say it is not especially our business by English troops or English money, to keep Russia.out of Constantinople. It is an European business, and it is Still more Austrian, and still more German business (cheers). The very existence of Austria is at stake and she knows it, and Ruseia knows that she knows it. If Constantinople were in danger, it would be more the duty of others to defend it then it would he the duty of the Bradford artizen (cheers). The only danger we have to fear is that to our Indian Empire. The danger that Germany has to fear is one that concerns every homestead in Germany. In the Crimea we fought the battle of Prussia, and we gave her the strength, and which she has now become, the nucleus of a great and united 'Germany.; but we are not goiug to fight her battles again (cheers). Her danger is an alliance between France and Russia, and Bismark knows very "well that if Russia were to obtain Constantinople, he would run the risk of finding himself hemmed in between his recent enemy, France and more powerful Russia. "