HOW TO SETTLE THE EASTERN QUESTION.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Volume 2, Issue 70, 1 February 1879, Page 2

HOW TO SETTLE THE EASTERN QUESTION.

Tho Standard in a roview of the state of South-Easteru Europe says:—" A real, complete, and final settlement of tho Eastern Question would hardly have cost Austria more than she is now paying for no settlement of it at all. It cannot too often bo repeated that thero are only two ways of settling the Eastorn Question. One is by destroying the Turkish Empire altogether, and allowing Russia aud Russia's clients to have the chief part of the spoil. Tho other is to ' crumplo up Russia,' and cure hor for ever and a day of tho design of foreign conquest. No doubt Russia is not to be 'crumpled up' qnito so easily as the late Mr. Cobden's famous hit of paper. But it is to be dono ; and it was to bo done very effectually last year. England, Austria, aud Turkey aotiug togethor, could have rid Europo of the Muscovito spectre for the next hundred yearn at the least. That policy was not pursued. Austria does not engage in such enterprises. Her fate is rather to be orumpled up herself than tocrumple others. Thoprocess is slow in her ease, but it advances. She has yet to occupy Bosnia,—iu other word*

to conquer it When she ha* conquered it what will she do with it J Will she extend to it the blessing of her Dual Government ? Will Bosnian Beg be amalgamated with Teuton.or Magyar, or Croat or PoieP Russia was allowed to trouble the waters ; which is the Power that is going to moke them smooth again ? All the Powers combined seem unequal to the task. Greece is pressing them to bo allowed to swell the tempest. Doubtless the Sultau wants to see his territory subjected to no more amputations. Yet Greece goes on clamouring for 'Hellenic' provinces. Turkey is on the operator's table; but for decency's sake it is not bound, and, accordingly, it struggles vigorously in some of its extremities. To cut off one limb you must keep the others quiet. That is what Austria is experiencing in Bosnia. We want a science of political anaesthetics that Bhall reduce nations subjected to partition to a sate of coma. Treaties are evidently inadequate for the purpose. Absolute conquest would be an effectual anaesthetic, and we know of no other."