The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News and The Echo. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1908. THE POWERS AND TURKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 249, 17 October 1908, Page 4

The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News and The Echo.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1908. THE POWERS AND TURKEY.

For the emu Ihmt leek* turtsttnae. For the termut that need* retittemee. Far the future in the distance, • And the goad that tee can ia.

■By far the most important result that the Eastern crisis has yet produced is the announcement just made public by our own Foreign Office, defining the position taken -up over this question by England and Russia. It is not usual for the Foreign Office to take the world at large into its confidence, but the critical nature of the present emergency fully justifies this exceptional stop. It is well that England's attitude toward the Balkan problem should be clearly understood, and not the least remarkable feature of this official pronouncment is the care taken to assure everybody concerned that on this subject England is" entirely in accord with Russia. The two Governments claim to be "in complete agreement" regarding the Near East, and. further discussion of various questions arising out of the Anglo-Rusian Convention has shown that there is complete "identity of views" about them, and every prospect of "a continuance of the cordial and harmonious eo-qperation of the two Governments in the settlement of Central Asian questions." It is very rarely that the Imperial authorities commit themselves thus unreservedly to so emphatic an expression of sympathy with any foreign Power; and this singularly amicable tone is; the more remarkable because of the relations that have subsisted between England and Russia in the past in regard to the Balkans and the Middle East. As Lord Salisbury was fond of saying, we backed the wrong horse in 1855 and in 1878. We are certainly doing our best now to retrieve our error; and it is quite impossible to recognise in the pacific and conciliatory utterances of Sir Edward Grey the least trace of that Russophobe sentiment which precipitated the Crimean war, denied to Russia the fruits of her triumph over Turkey, and dictated to Europe the Treaty of Berlin. But it is rather a curious fact that, while England now repudiates the policy which produced the Treaty of Berlin, she still considers it necessary for her dignity to uphold the terms of that illomened compact. The only solution that England and Russia can suggest for the Balkan problem, is the familiar expedient of a conference; but such an international council should deal exclusively with questions arising out of violations of the Treaty of Berlin. But it is at once made clear that even England does not contemplate an attempt to enforce the provisions of the Treaty; indeed, it would appear that she feels compelled to regard Bulgaria's declaration of independence, and Austria's seizure of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the light of accomplished facts. For the first object of the conference, ■Wβ are informed, is to secure compensation for Turkey; which obviously means that even England and Russia combined are unable to insure Turkey against the lose of some part of her dominions. As to the ambitions of the minor Balkan States, it is hoped that tbeir "reasonable wishes" may be met by some equitable readjustment, "but not at Turkey's expense." But it should be carefully noted that this new-found solicitude for Turkey arises not so much from any sentimental consideration for her weakness and helplessness, but from the conviction that the new regime in Turkey "affords the best safeguard for the maintenance of peace." This is England's tribute to the success of the Young Turkish party in reviving Turkey's almost defunct patriotism and national feeling'and restoring to life and strength j the empire so long decadent and moribund. The Turkish revolution, which for the moment seemed to threaten the Sultan and his sovereignty with absolute destruction, has thus become the central feature in a new international policy, the purpose of which is the maintenance of Turkey as an independent empire in the interests of the world's peace. But though Russia agrees absolutely that the best course the Powers can take is to protect Turkey from any further spoliation, Russian policy is inspired by a very different motive from England's. It is true that Russia claims to be acting an entirely disinterested part, that she demands no "compensation" from Turkey for anything that her rivals may gain in the Balkans, and that she ha 3 agreed not to make the settlement of the Dardanelles question a condition of the sympathy and support that she now offers Turkey. But Russia has a very special reason for standing by Turkey at the present juncture. The one Power that just now stands to gain everything and lose nothing from the Balkan crisis is Austria. The seizure of Bosnia and Herzegovina by Austria will give the Dual Monarchy an absolutely dominating position the Balkan Peninsula. The sympathy that Austria has extended to Bulgaria will naturally draw the Bulgarians closer to Austria, more especially as Austria's aggression is fiercely resented by Servia, the traditiona.l rival of Bulgaria. For these reasons Russia cannot afford to stand idly by and see Turkey go to the wall under foreign pressure. It is to prevent the whole of Russia's work in the Near East for the past century from being undone that Russia has now, so late in the day, determined to uphold Turkey

against any further foreign aggresuion. While Russia -was the dominant factor in the Near East, it was natural that ehe should try to enrich herself at Turkey's expense. But since her progress has been blocked, first by the intervention of England at the Berlin Congress, then by the rise of Boumania and Bulgaria into independent nationalities, then by the sudden and unexpected demonstration of patriotism and solidarity that the Young Turkish revolution has evoked, Russia cannot afford to allow Austria to take her place. It is, of course, tactful and diplomatic of the "Times" to comment admiringly upon Russia's "abnegation and self-restraint." But it is even more consoling to reflect that for the time being Russia is bound to support England's policy in the Near East, not so much for sentimental reasons as out of consideration for her own material interests. It is quite conceivable that the proposed conference may prove abortive; for Turkey is naturally resentful at the indignities heaped upon her, and is disinclined to accept any "compensation" yet suggested. But the fact remains that the friendly understanding now existing between England, Russia, and France on this question constitutes Turkey's best chance of justice and safety, and the world's best hope of peace.