RUSSIA AND BATOUM. Infraction of the Treaty of Berlin.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2207, 31 August 1886, Page 3

RUSSIA AND BATOUM. Infraction of the Treaty of Berlin.

R&sta, it is aYmounctd. has n^i^d to^the Powers that, ix> th^S^tji'J Article of thßTreat^K^^iiS^at^u&'^»Up«we to be a freepdrts' The*VJonna correspondent of the Timps says :— " "Russia's determination to abolish the free port of Batoum was f\r&t announced in a communication 1 to the Cologne* Gafcette. which purported •to come from London. Considering the relations between the Cologne Gazette and the German Government, the new-* might as wtll have come from Berlin ; and some words which accompany the announcement make.it appear, tha^ suet) wa* the case. The wordß in question are to the effect that if the British Government should protest against Russia's action, it will not be likely to get any support from the Great Powers. From what I hear this is true, and there is a disposition in Vienna to minimise the importance of what RtlMtia has done, although it i* acknowledged that Russia mint have intended to score an advantage at England's expense, and that she has availed herself of the wofkneva qfcthe pre«eht (j<ivctfpin<tnt and <>f the- distraction caused in England by the Irish question. Ifatftum was originally ceded to Russia by the Treaty of San SUfano. At the Berlin Congress Lord Beaconsfield stipulated thnt it should remain, a free port. G >rtschakotf yielded, and the 59th article of the treaty was drafted as follows:— 'Sa Majeste 1 Empereur da Ruinie declare que son intention est danger Batuuintn port franc et ossentiellement commercial.' Nothing was Mid about the Czar'i intention to erect fortifications at Batoum ; but the work of fortification commenced as soon *s Lord Beaconsfield's Cabinet went out of office ; and no step* were taken by the GladsboneGnmville 1 Ministry to remind Russia of her obliffations. The Rustian newspapers observe that the completion of the Baku-Poti Railway, which places Batoum in direct communication with Tiflis, has destroyed 'the importance of Batoum as an emporium for Rood* in transit, and that moreover, in taking her present action, Russia has merely placed Batoum on the same footing as all other Russian maritime ports. Fui ther they say that there is now a general tendency in Europe to abolish fn;n ports. Roumelia has recently closed tho.se of Grilatz- and Ibraila, while Austria-Hungary intends to abolish those at Trieste and Fiuinc. . The French, German, and Austrian press comment upon Russia's action in the matter. The Berlin Post, after remarking that an English Conservative leader was the cause of Batoum becoming a free- port, adds :— "At present Mr Gladstone is at the helm of affairs, and his excellent lelations with Russia are well-known. It is prob.iblv not wrong to surmise that the possibility of the fall of the Gladstone Cabinet led the Russian* Government to accelerate this step.