THE CONGRESS.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Volume 2, Issue 55, 19 October 1878, Page 3

THE CONGRESS.

♦ (IjY Telegraph.) (from our correspondents.) Berlin - , Juno 22. Yesterday and the day before considerable alarm was felt here respecting the continuation of the Congress. England, it appears, a few days ago submitted to Russia a definite schcmefjjr the reconstruction of protection of the North Itodmelian frontiers. The carrying through of this scheme being oonsidered indispensable to maintain the vitality of the Turkish Empire and keep the Russian Power from planting itself on the Mediterranean near the British highway to India, Lord Beaconsfield resolutely made the continuation of the Congress depend upon the acceptance of the British demands by Prince Gortihakoff. The Russian Plenipotentiaries referred the question to St. Petersburg, whence a reply in the affirmative was received yesterday. The principal question being thus disposed of, thanks to the determined attitude adopted by the British Premier, to-day's sittingof the Congress is expected to. produce satisfactory results. Yesterday's Exchange was not a little excited by a morning journal stating that, M.D'OiiVil, the ftussian Ambassador, had left for St. Petersburg. Upon inquiry being made at the Russian Embassy, it was discovered that not M. D'Oubril, but another Russian diplomatist, had been sent to St Petersburg.' Reassuring intelligence as to the prospects of the Congress being at the same time communicated from Russian quarters, confidence was restored. It would seem that at the time the Bourse feared the worst the'telegram surrendering the Russian requirements and accepting the British programme had just been received at the Russian Embassy. When the protocols of the Congress are published—a eonsumation which cannot be long delayed—the record of the last few days will bo found to contain a tale of noblo resolvo and glorious sueees3. Early this week Lord Boaconsfiold begged to inform the Russian Plenipotentiaries that unless the San Stefauo terms were relinquished and a programme, adopted winch left Turkey in a position to protect her frontiers and maintain her existence in any future war, the British Plenipotentiaries would deem it, urolcss to prolong the debate. ; The main point of the British programme is the surrender ,if the HalkanstoHieT.uk* iM Iheoloslng of (lie passes by torts. There are other items of mill"! importance touching the

evacuation of Bulgaria, energetically advocated by Austria, then oooatraeti a of t!i • Narthi rn Provinces, >ve., but the greatest stress is laid u|hju the restriction of the hill barrier to the Porte, and the preservation by it of a defensible boundary line. The Russian Pleipotentiaries, in several official sittings, conferences, and interviews, declaring themselves unable to make the requisite concessi ins, Lord Beaconsfield at last gave them to understand that if today's fitting were allowed to pass without producing any result, he would probably deem it incumbent upon him to leave. This did good. When first acquainted with the British demands, Russian diplomacy apparently indulged in the fond fallacy that more was asked for than would be insisted on. Time dispelled this delusion In tho Conference or at the social board, in lobby or at chance meetings in street and park, as often as the important subject was broached, Russian insinuating eloquence encountered the firm front of English resolve. Without mouace or retort, without undue emphasis or vehemence, Lord Beaconsfield calmly abided by his first declaration. The deliberate consistency of his conduct took effect. Though inclination and experience pointed the opposite way, the Russian Plenipotentiaries were ultimately convinced that, coming from the lips they did, words meant deeds. The fact had to be faced that, acting through the Karl of Beaconsfield, the Marquis of Salisbury ami Lord Odo Russel, their distinguished representatives at the Congress, the British Government had submitted to the Russian Government proposals from which they would not swerve. Other points might be discussed at leisure ; what had now been asked must be accepted, or, if rejected, might bring on war. C'dtaitd prendre ou ii. laisser. Balfled in their attempts to obtain abatement, or at least to got the discussion of the grave topic put olf to a later dale, the Russian Plenipotentiaries in tho eleventh hour referred to St.Petersburg to decide the matter. Several days elapsed before an answer arrived. Yostcrday aitei noon the reply came. Russia yielded. Despite our imperfect knowledge of tho English programme, what has been allowed to transpire is enough to enable u> to realize, the magnitude of the result. European Turkey in future will bo bounded by tho Balkans of the Danube. In other words, .-he will be protected by a line of hills accessible only by a few passes easily closed, in lieu of a river too long to be adequately defended. If the passes are fortified and a fortress or two erected iu the open country east and west of the hills, the most ordinary toresight will suffice to render the new boundary line impregnable. Accordingly, Russia will be as far as ever from the Mediterranean. Now, as Turkey is likely to guard against a recurrence of of what has happened, Russia in reality is pushed away from her goal, having an impenetrable ridge to cross instead of an open stream, and a vigilant enemy i • fight instead of an unprepared one. So far as Russia is concerned Constantinople and tho shores of tho /Egean by'this one move are as effectually protected as ever before—if, indeed, they are not safer. Russia's dismemberment of Turkey, begun more than 100 years ago, is put a stop to—at the last intervening barrier, it is true, but at a barrier which happens to be the most formidable of all. In consequence, England's highway to India is secured. To fortify this issue against future mishaps, in the memorandum recently made public, reserves to herself the right to look after the Asiatic frontiers and defences of Turkey. As regards Sorvia and North-Wcstern Turkey, these will be superintended by Austria, the mode and exact nature of her control having still to be defined. Kara and Batoum will be surrendered, Bayazid and the caravan road to Persia remaining Turkish. The retrocession of Roumanian Bessarabia will not be impeded, though it will not be prompted either. Td allay Roumanian opposition, the Russians, it is thought, will possibly restrict annexation to the land immediately adjacent to the Kilia mouill of the Danube. Such is an outlineof the arrangements we may expect to see signed before long. If any difficulties remain, they concern Austria rather than England, who, having her most important demands conceded may confidently hope to settle the rest with comparative case. The victory obtained is the greater for being soloy dueto character "and intellect, without sword drawn or blood spilt. June 2.1. Yesterday afternoon, when Russia's acquiescence in the English programme had been communicated at Berlin, Prince Bismurk called upon Lord Beaconsfield to invite him to a family dinner in the evening. Lord Beaoonstield accepted the invitation, and passed three hours with the Chancellor and bis family. Xo other guests were present. —London Times.