EUROPEAN CONFERENCE.

Patea Mail, Volume VI, Issue 535, 19 June 1880, Page 2

EUROPEAN CONFERENCE.

The Great Powers are again in conference in Berlin, to consider the unexecuted portions of the Treaty signed under Lord Beaconsfiold’s auspices. Turkey is again “ sick.” The political doctors have now to consider whether the next dose shall bo mild, or drastic, or final. Turkey refuses to concede the new boundaries recommended for Greece and Montenegro ; and refuses also (from utter helplessness) to reform the internal, government of Asia Minor. The Ottoman occupation of the Straits of Istamboul is an international nuisance. The Turks are military squatters, not governors ; but being there they are allowed to remain through international jealousy as to the Power which shall next seize Constantinople, and bestride that important strait as a Colossus defying the world. Greece is reviving but the stamp of degraded servitude is still on the brow of the maiden Power which once governed the world by the spell of her splendid intellect—by the graces of her perfect Art and the witchery of her cultured Muse. Greece is too young, too rashly ambitious, too immature in her reviving national life, to be entrusted as custodian of the key of the Bosphorus. Austria too is jealously kept back by her great neighbors from swooping down to that coveted shore. Russia would if she could, and she has dared to try the hazard more than once. The Powers agree in keeping Russia out of Constantinople, and away from the Aegean Sea ; but they cannot agree on any substitute to take tho place of the Ottoman Power. The Sick Man in Europe will die some day, for military empires must break by their own harsh weight ; but tho Mahometan usurpation in Europe takes a deal of killing. The Conference will insist on the due execution of the Treaty. The Turkish Pashas will stand stolidly at bay. And what then ?