The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 1878.
The prospects of peace in Europe are brightening. Late telegrams state that, acting under the advice of the English Government, the Porte has consented to hold direct negotiations for an armistice with Russia, and that the Turkish commanders have been instructed to place themselves in communication with the Russian Oommander-iu-Chief, with the object of coming to an arrangement for the cessation of hostilities. It will be remembered that some time ago, when proposals were made for an armistice, the Russian Government refused to entertain them, and intimated that the question would be left to the discretion of the general in command of the army of invasion. Turkey refused to accept a proposal which was in the nature of one which might emanate from a conqueror to a subjugated foe, and the war still raged. However, after a few additional defeats and a further advance of the Russian army on Turkish territory, the Porte has for once decided to follow the advice of England; and let it be earnestly hoped that the result will be an end to the fearful sacrifice of life which is daily taking place in Bulgaria and Armenia. It has frequently been remarked in New Zealand, in reference to disagreements with the native race, that when once the Maoris could be got to treat the difficulty was half over. The same observation would in a great measure apply to the two semi-civilised people who are now waging war against each other in Eastern Europe. Eor centuries Turk and Russ have entertained towards each other the most deadly hatred. Time has tended to harden rather than soften the animosities of the two races. It is difficult to induce tlie Turk to believe that anything short of his utter extirpation in Europe will satisfy the Russian, while the latter has an implicit belief that the fanaticism and deadly hatred of the Mahomrnedan to Holy Russia would prevent the Turk desiring peace till he felt that ho was completely overmatched. Russia at the present moment regards Turkey as virtually conquered, and in any arrangements which may be made for peace Turkey will have to accept the terms dictated by a council of war on the held of battle. If other nations were left out in calculating the chances of peace, it is more than probable that the present war would have the same ending as Asiatic wars in general—that is, an utter prostration of one of the belligerents, and placing the losing side completely at the mercy of the victor. The present war has been characterised as an Asiatic one, and it can scarcely be regarded in any other light. The Russian is at present as much an Asiatic as he is a European, though he is rapidly becoming imbued with the spirit of Western civilisation. “ Scratch a Russian and you will find a Tartar,” is a saying attributed to the First Napoleon, and recent travellers in the dominions of the Czar testify to the truth of the observation. Four centuries in occupation of the Balkan Peninsula has not changed the character of the “Unspeakable Turk.” Save in the art of warfare, Western civilisation lias wrought no changes in him. He is as much an Oriental to-day as the day on which the hordes of the East crossed the Strait of Constantinople, and the capital of the Greek Empire lay at their feet. Fortunately for the Turk other nations have an interest in the settlement of the Eastern Question. Wore it left to Russia alone, the avenging hand would fall heavily. But as Austria lias declared that the Black Sea shall not become a Russian lake, and as England’s views are well known to be in the same direction, Turkey may look forward to a respite from the fate which many believe is in store for her, namely, the annihilation of the Ottoman Empire in Europe. As Earl Carnarvon announced, England would not go to war for the mere sake of bolstering up the Turkish power ; and other nations of Europe would bo equally loath to draw the sword for such a purpose. The difficulty to be faced is, who is to take the place of the Turk ? ’Till that question is satisfactorily solved, he will remain in Europe. It is better that ho should rule at Constantinople than the Russian. Ho may be a nuisance in the eyes of the great neutral Powers, but he is not a source of danger. However, the Turk labors under a great delusion when he believes that the integrity of the Ottoman Empire is essential to the safety of England. That this is the impression of the Ottomans can be easily seen by translations from the Turkish papers, which now and again appear in the columns of our English contemporaries. This belief, which was strengthened by the Crimean war, has led the Porte into many blunders. Had Turkey followed the counsels of England, the Russian armies now in Bulgaria would never have crossed the Pruth. But the Porte could never be brought to comprehend that England’s interests wore only remotely affected by Russian aims upon Turkey. It was lirrnly believed in Constantinople, before the commencement of the war, that the safety of England absolutely commanded her to help Turkey in any war which Russia might wage against her. Contrary to the expectations of tho Porto, England has declined to take part in the struggle, and now the Ottoman people are pouring tho vials of their wrath on perfidious England. The following extract from an article in the Bassiret, a Constantinople journal, pretty faithfully reflects Moslem opinion :
The fact is now become evident that the inconstant and, so to speak, tortuous policy of England in all the phases of the Eastern Question has prepared for that rower great deceptions. Whatever may be the result of the present war, they will bo disastrous for England. There are three eventualities to bo considered as the linal result of the present war : the victory of the Russians: the victory of the Turks; and the autonomy of the Turkish provinces of Europe by the intervention of one or more of the Powers. If we admit the first eventuality, which would be victorious Russia—may God save us from such a disaster and pain !—it is not necessary to say that England would entirely lose her influence in the East, ami her interests would bo absolutely compromised. Then we have the eventuality of Turkey victorious—may God will that it should become a reality! - when the Ottoman Empire would come out of the trial resplendent with glory. It is certain that in such a case England, whoso policy towards us has been one of unbounded selfishness and inconsistency, will' have no cause to rejoice. The Sultan is the supremo head of all the Mussulmans, and in his capacity he exercises over them a sovereign influence. His victories will increase his prestige, ami particularly in the eyes of tho Mussulmans of India. It is clear that Russia may some day take advantage of thin situation in order to attack tho English possessions in India. Then, let us suppose that Russia be beaten, but that other Powers undertake tho work which she has begun. Ilouraelia will then fall into the Slav hands, and there would bo a double loss for England in this country, the loss of iuiluonce and tho loss of the commercial advantages she now enjoys. Consequently, in any of these eventualities, England must Now, tho only means for Great Eritaiu to rep ir her errors and to efface the remembrance of her faults, would bo to come to an understanding with Turkey nud simply to declare war on Russia.
Let the English people take no further account of those meetings which are got up by Mr. Gladstone and his consortsbut-let them, on the contrary, bring their influence to bear upon the Government to force them to take' military action, and make common cause with Turkey, in order that, when peace shall be concluded, English interests as well as the independence and integrity of the Ottoman Empire may be saved. Without that there is no help for England possible. The present war will no doubt in a great measure have the effect of disabusing the Ottoman rulers and people of the impression that England has not as much to fear from Russian aggression as Turkey. As long as the Porte held that belief Turkey was regardless of the opinion of Europe. When the war came she found herself alone; but had she hearkened to the advice of those Powers who were anxious for her welfare as contributing to a balance of power in Europe, the Danube and the Balkans might be as free to-day from the presence of the Russian as at the close of the Crimean war.
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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5243, 12 January 1878, Page 2
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1,477The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 1878. New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5243, 12 January 1878, Page 2
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