Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7649, 28 May 1886, Page 4

The address presented to the Czar of Russia by the Mayor of Moscow, on the occasion of His Majesty's visit to that city, is a true reflection of the feeling of hostility towards Turkey entertained by the general run of Russian subjects. It amounts, in effect, to a congratulating of the Czar on his proclamation to the Russian fleet, and states that this action on the part of His Majesty strengthens the belief among the Russian people that file cross would soon eclipse the crescent, and shino not only above the dome of Moscow but also above that of the Masque at Constantinople. There is no mistaking the ' significance of this. It means that the possession of Contantinople is still the cherished ambition of the Russian people, and that, in their opinion, the aim of Russian diplomatists and generals is or should be to gratify this hereditary national aspiration. In reply to the address the Czar had the prudence to say nothing, and the reason for his silence is obvious enough. He wished to avoid the mistake of disclosing State secrets, and his taciturnity was meant to convey to his subjects the impression that while his mind was in full sympathy with that of his people, he yet wished to avoid committing himself to a position which it would be more easy to assume than withdraw from. Yet none the less is the Czar anxious to fiud occasion for planting the cross over the dome of St. Sophia ; and it was with a view to get nearer this consummation that he a few days ago issued an order to his Black Sea fleet to hold itself in readiness. And the rupture which has occurred in the European conceit of the Powers will tend to facilitate its realisation rather than retard it. The rigour of the blockade of the Greek ports has, as we predicted, put an end to tho European concert, and the correctness of this opinion is shown by the report cabled to-day, that a proposal has been made by Britain that the blockade should be raised.

This proposal may, it is true, be due iu part to the representation of® the Greek Premier that the blockade was only the emancipating of the Greeks, and the rendering of them more resolute for war. But there can be no doubt that what chiefly led to its being made was the conviction that the continuance of the blockade was more likely to produce a European war than to cause Greece to succumb. But this action on the part of Britain will do as little to prevent the outbreak of war as will the silence of the Russian Emperor ; in fact, it will help to precipitate the conflict which all dread, for, as soon as the blockade is raised, the Greeks and the Turks will resume hostilities, and that will be Russia's opportunity of attempting to effect a descent upon the Balkan Peninsula. j ! |