The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1878.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5268, 11 February 1878, Page 2

The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1878.

The news that Constantinople has fallen into the hands of the Russians has created a widespread apprehension that England may be forced to go to war to protect her own interests. Prom the first signs of the . present conflict Russia repeatedly assured the Great Powers that she . had no design for territorial aggrandisement, and the Czar had stated distinctly that Russia did not contemplate the occupation of Stainboul. It was .only the other day that we,, were informed by telegram that the fate of Constantinople was a European question, and that it would be left to the Great Powers to decide in whose hands 1 the key of the Euxine should be held. It is not improbable- that the news received on Saturday may be anticipatory, and that the Russians are still massed between Adrianople and 1 the capital. It will be remembered that immediately after the intelligence of an armistice there followed the somewhat strange announcement that the Russians were pushing forward as rapidly as possible in the direction of Constantinople. The onward movement of the Russians, in the face of an agreement that hostilities should be suspended on both sides, can most reasonably bo accounted for by the supposition that a secret treaty has been made between Russia and Turkey, by the terms of which the former Power was to occupy Constantinople. From the nature of late telegrams this appears to be a solution, of - the Russian occupation. The approaches to Constantinople are well defended by fortifications, and Turkey still possesses a sufficient army to have forced upon the Russians considerable delay and an immense sacrifice of life before the defending lines'could be carried. But the Mahommedan, in the spirit of his religion, appeals to' have bowed to the will of Allah, and no longer keeps the hated Russians at bay. When success began to dawn upon the Russian arms, the Porte stated pretty plainly that it would not hold itself responsible for the Wholesale. massacre of Christians which might take place at Constantinople, When it was known by the Mahommedan population that the troops of the Czar had taken possession of Adrianople. Of course this was at the time only looked upon as a bugbear put forth by the Porte to induce the neutral Powers to interfere. However, it is easy to understand that Russia may have seized upon that as an excuse for her troops marching on Constantinople, after the promise of the Emperor Alexander to the contrary, and in defiance of the expressed wishes of England and Austria. Were there sufficient grounds to apprehend a massacre of the Christians of Constantinople, the action of Russia would commend itself to the civilised world, breach of faith, as it might be, notwithstanding. The conquering Power, it was telegraphed previously, recognised that the Eastern Question was one of general European concern, and had consented to its reference to a convention of the Great Powers. If that is really the case, it would seem to be of not much importance who occupied Constantinople till such time as a final settlement was arrived at. But perhaps Russia will rely on the fact of her possession of Stamboul as giving her the right to demand much more than would otherwise, be the case. That the Russian troops will sooner or later have to evacuate Constantinople there is very little doubt, in spite of the opinion of the Czar and his advisers that if it is to be held in trust for other nations Russia should be the holder. That is a cool proposition, when it is considered that for close on a century it has been recognised that the greatest danger to the balance of power in Europe would lie in a Russian occupation of Constantinople.. Austria is the nation, or rather the conglomeration of nationalities, which is most vitally interested in the settlement of the Eastern Question. Should Russia extend her frontier in Southern Europe, and at the same time command the month of the Danube and the Black Sea, the - House of Hapsburg might tremble for the fate of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Austria “ the Unready ” has been a byeword amongst the nations, but let us hope that in the present instance she will act under Hungarian influences, and insist that whoever rules at Constantinople it shall'not be the Emperor of Russia. It Austria shook . off her lethargy, and showed signs of action, she could compel Russia to relinquish every inch of Turkish soil which she occupies in Europe, Will Austria put her foot down strongly is a question which is not easily answered, and it is one which much concerns England at; the present time. “ England’s interest arid Austria’s are the same in the Eastern Question,” said the Austrian Prime Minister a few weeks back. If the Government of Francis Joseph can screw up its courage to the sticking point,, it; can rely upon the support’ of England. With: regard to the position- of the other Powers, it is generally understood that the Czar was from the beginning assured of the non-interference of Germany. Without such assurance the war’ would not have been undertaken. A« for Italy, she will in all probability maintain the same position as Germany; indeed it has been more than once hinted at,/in; wellinformed circles, that there is an understanding between the two Powers. Still, the despatch of the Italian fleet to the Levant is not without significance, as it

'maif point -to' the conclusion that Italy is desirous o/haying <a voice in the. settlement of tho Eastern 'Question. France, although a soldier is at 1 the helm of the State, is top much troubled with internal affairs to take part in any outside issue. Should the English Government become ‘seriously alarmed at the designs of Russia, in all. probability , the first, step in the drama will-be<t»king possession of Egypt. .That would secure the route to India, even should the Czar succeed! n establishing himself permanently at Constantinople, a contingency which is somewhat remote. The interests of the Porta are lost sight of altogether. That the Turkish power is for ever broken in Europe is at present the only clear result of the present war. The Turk’s place is not in the European family circle, a truth which has lately dawned upon the people of England. How far the possession of Constantinople by Russia would affect British interests it would bo hard to calculate ; but this much is certain, that the vast majority of Englishmen are of opinion that their commercial and political interests would be jeopardised by such an occupation; and it may safely be predicted that if there are signs of a permanent occupation, England will cease to protest, and adopt sterner measures to ensure that her interests shall not suffer by the hereditary ambition of the House of Romance to rule at Constantinople.