Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 1891. Turkey.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 27 August 1891, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 1891. Turkey.

-• No country of the size of Russia is so badly placed for practical ports. In the far north she has a long stretch of coast line, but as it is in the Artie ocean it is of no use. The very large stretch of territory bordering the Baltic is only of use in the summer, but the outlet to the world is commanded by Germany, Denmark and Sweden. The ports on the I. lack sea, which washes the shores of the Crimea, is even more landlocked than the Baltic, by the narrow passage of the Dandanelles. On either side of this piece of water, which is only a mile wide, stand two Turkish fortresses, and with the arms of precision now in use, lock the passage. Russia's expanding power has frequently been commented on, she has worked her way to the borders of the neighbouring State to India, she touches the boundaries of China, and she has made many attempts to seize Turkey. The good Russian, who is now evicting the Jews, has always professed a great love for religious freedom when the Turks were involved in any dispute with religious fanatics, and the Crimean war arose from Prince Menschikoff, the Russian envoy, making demands on the Turk for the ( better protection of the Greek Christians. Though the Russians were defeated, with the assistance of the Allied armies, yet as this war first introduced Turkey to a national debt, it may be agreed that the Russian did more tc reduce the power of her opponent than she suffered herself, as this debt grew to such proportions as to cause the Turl^ to become the " sick man" of Europe. Year by year, pretenoe after pretence, Russia has worked to oomplete the destruction of this country, io that uhe might take

— ■— — — — —_ _. — _____ 9mm . , — _ i possession and thus secure to herop.lf, free and safe ingress and egress to the Black Sea, on the shores of which she has her naval dockyard. The Turks have shown on many occasions most plucky and splendid soldiers, and have always given a good account of themselves. In diplomacy the success has not been so conspicious, as though, after the Crimean war in 1855, Great. Britain, Prance and Austria guaranteed the integrity ot the Turkish Empire, we find since that she has lost Roumania, Servia, Montenegro, portion of territory to Austria, portion to Greeoe, and Cyprus to England ! Her possession of these Straits have made her the battledore and shuttlecock of the larger European powers, from Russia wanting to get out, and England insisting upon keeping the Russian fleet locked in so as to be unable to pounce down upon the Suez Canal and India. Turkey, thus reduced, only represents 75,000 square miles of territory in Europe, with a population of 4,800,U00 half of whom only are Mohammedans; and we find the Russian is again complaining of the acts of the Turk in stopping vessels ' in these straits of Darclanells. Russia has always some excuse for a row, and when one does not suit, she tries another. In one of the wars in which the Turks were defeated, but by the combined pressure of the big European powers, not conquered, she had to pay a heavy war indemnity of 82 million pounds to Russia, in yearly instalments. Owing to the very bad financing of the Turks, the yearly instalments are not very punctually paid, and thus when there is nothing else to bring up, money is mentioned. The Turks will not be much longer in Europe, but it is not the Russian who will rule at Constantinople. England is in Egypt, she occupies 1 Cyprus, the island lying to the north of Alexandria, and commanding the Grecian Archipelago, and she will, when the time is ripe, take possession of sufficient territory in Turkey, in Europe and Asia, as will give her the control of the Russian Black Sea fleet. Russia is aware of it, as so are the European powers, and to none, except Russia, would it matter if she did. 'I he movements of both Russian and Turk are therefore of the greatest interest to those who are interested in communication, by the Suez Canal, heing kept open with England.