THE COLONIST PUBLISHED TUESDAYS, THURSDAYS, AND SATURDAYS. NELSON, THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 1879. GREEK LIBERATION.

Colonist, Volume XXII, Issue 2567, 26 June 1879, Page 3

THE COLONIST PUBLISHED TUESDAYS, THURSDAYS, AND SATURDAYS. NELSON, THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 1879. GREEK LIBERATION.

Steady pressure exercised on Russia by England, in concert with the other Great • Powers, is at length bringing to a BatisfacN tory termination the many difficult questions that remained in the northern part of European Turkey. After using every open and underhand device to promote such expressions of opii'i hi both in Bulgaria and Eastern Kouim-liu as would make it appear that a fresh outbreak would occur in the latter as soon as Russian troops were withdrawn, unless the provisions of the Treaty of Berlin were to a certain extent set aside, and it waß allowed to come under one government with the former, the Czar's officers have been compelled to respect the necessitios, perhaps rather than the secret wishes, of their master. The Bulgarian national sentiment has been compelled to give way, the result being more peaceably attained owing to the Turks being prevailed on to waive for the present their right to garrison the passes of the Balkans, iioumania has settled down to the sacrifice of its portion of Bessarabia and to the occupation of its compensation, the Dobrudscha. Servia, in spite of Mussulman fanaticism, has acquired a firm hold of its added territory. Außtria finds no difficulty in maintaining the peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which accept the change of rulers with an amount of patience, if not indifference, that it was often predicted their landed aristocracy could never be brought to exhibit. After centuries of heroic struggle, Montenegrin independence is finally recognised, and its inhabitants have gained that outlet to the sea that was so long selfishly and jealously denied. In short, every province that took arms agaiust Turkey and assisted the advance of ilussia has obtained the realisation of a considerable part of its hopes; while Greece, that obeyed the injunctions of England, and refrained, in accordance with them, from creating an important diversion in the south at a critical period of the war, is still doomed to sue month after month without the fulfilment of the opinions in its favor solemnly recorded by the European Congress. Nearly half a century has passed since the boundaries of the Kingdom of Greece were settled, and it has neyer been denied that they were such as to forbid the possibility of a reasonably fair chance of success for the experiment. No one was more emphatic in his condemnation than Mr Disraeli, who, as the Premier of England and its leading representative at Berlin, was furnished with the opportunity of redressing tbe wrong. It was in reliance on his avowed views that his peaceful counsels were accepted. The first disappointment was experienced at the Congress, where, instead of striving to reward Greece for its timely deference, its agents were adviaed to be patient, and to content themselves with tbe assurance that their country has a future, and therefore can afford to wait. France bad the honor of taking the lead in the question, its lepresentative, Mr Waddington, JiiHglieh in blood and education, having succeeded in procuring a recommendation to Turkey to rectify the Greek frontier on a line, somewhat vaguely indicated no doubt, yet none the lees being susceptible of no other meaning than a substantial increase of territory, which Lord Beacousfield described after his return as larger, and otherwise more important than what had been granted to any one of the combatants. Immediate danger being past, the Turks resumed their old policy of delay and obstinate resistance. Time after time Greece appealed to them to open the negotiations prescribed by the Treaty, without obtaining an answer, and when at last there were signs that the Great Powers were likely to exercise the right of fiediation they had reserved, this was evaded y the appointment of a Commissioner, whose instructions restricted him to offering a mere strip of land in lieu of the solid advantages of the Treaty, and though gradually extensions have been proposed, the intended boundary is far from being reached, the disputed district being thus kept in a ferment by the uncertainty, to the injury of the inhabitants, and the danger of tbe peace of Europe. "While there is no sufficient reason for ■uppoeing that the English Government will countenance the fraudulent evasions attempted by the Porte, the weary delay is calculated to weaken the attachment of Greece, and to throw it into the arms of whatever Power, France for example, may more openly assist in the furtherance of its claims. The perversity is inexplicable, that Aids the eitablis m mt of independent states, wuode ttjuipathieib at' race and language must all be with IVussia, and retards the development of Greek nationality, which, detesting and despising the^Slavs, is eager to ally itself with those opposed to their patron. Limited as their opportunities have been, the Greeks have given ample evidence sinci their liberation that they are fully equal to the task of government. Towns, that fo. ages were deaerted heaps of ruins, are onct more flourishing. Agriculture is now carried on with energy, and taking them together, millions of trees, fig, olive, and mulberry have been planted since the people were assured that they, and not their bruta tyrants, would profit by their produce. Thi ancient maritime instincts of the raci an re-appearing, and while uhipi are rapidly in creasing, Greek mercantile establishment!

J are absorbing important departments of the Mediterranean trade. This active, enterprising, intellectual race surely ought not to be less favored than the grosi Bulgarians, and yet they are kept in doubt as to their future, while their dull rivals,' the tools of Russia, are afforded every opportunity of advancement. The provision of the Berlin treaty as to including a further portion of the Greek nation in the Greek Kingdom cannot be contested on the plea that it is opposed to the popular desire. Other parts 'of the treaty have been objected to as 'repugnant to those called on to submit, but in this case, the full enforcement of the recommendation would still fall short of what those having a right to have their feelings considered, earnestly long for. Neither can it be contended that the opinion of Europe h adverse to the "mediation" reserved being made thoroughly effective, let the Sultan's advisers protest as they may. The will of the Great Powers was perhaps too delicately worded, but there is no reason for permitting it to be thwarted, even in part, to gratify the barbarous pride of Turkish pashas. Italy, or possibly it would be more just to say, the Italian Government furnishes the one repulsive exception to the feeling of the leading states. So recently delivered from its own foreign tyrants, it is sad to find one of its earliest efforts directed to opposing the expansion of Greece. Memories of conquests by some of the petty states into which Italy was so recently divided ought not to abate the pleasure with which a neighbor's approaching freedom should be witnessed. That the people are not to blame is proved by the readiness to respond to the summons it was expected Garibaldi would give when he recently reached Rome. "To Greece" was listened for, and the response would have been most enthusiastic. Though the general's in6ruiilies forbid hiai heading another crusade, the heart of the Italian nation is no less sound and true. France is in earnest. Germany is willing. Russia will not interpose. England has only to -peak the decisive word, and the liberation of a further part of Greece will be accomplished.