In the last week of April 1853, Lord Clarendon, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, stated in reply to a question from Lord Clanricarde, that the British and other governments felt themselves bound not only by the interests of sound policy, but by the principles of international law, to uphold the Turkish empire, which had therefore nothing to fear from external aggression. He concluded his speech by saying also that he could assure their lordships that as regarded Turkey, there was no danger of the peace of Europe being disturbed, nor any prospect of the unanimity which prevailed between England and the other great powers of Europe, as to the necessity of maintaining the integrity and independence of the Ottoman empire, being disturbed.

Subsequent events within three months have fully proved how little confidence is to be placed in governmental “assurances.” So far from Turkey having nothing to fear from external aggression, two of her provinces are in the actual possession of the Emperor of Russia, who has seized upon them with a perfect “overflow” of troops, horse, foot and artillery! Of all the other great powers, France is the only one that stands up with Britain and proves itself decidedly anti-Russian. Prussia and Austria dare not defy the Autocrat; and Germany, however reluctant, is chained to the chariot wheels. There is vast danger of the peace of Europe being disturbed; in fact, war is inevitable, or Turkey will fall under the power of Russia without a blow. War may delay its overthrow, but cannot prevent it; for fall it must by either peace or war. Its salvation is impossible.

Another evidence of the judicial blindness of the British government is found in the words of its foreign secretary, who says, “The Emperor of Russia had practised no disguise whatever as to his intentions. Her Majesty’s government felt precisely the same confidence which his noble friend professed to entertain in the honour and integrity of the Emperor of Russia, and when that Sovereign gave his word as to what he was going to do, he believed that the people of this country, as well as their government, would place full reliance on it.”

August 15, 1853. EDITOR.

The previous article on the “Judicial Blindness of the Powers” overrun this page about the third of a column; so that of necessity it remains unfinished.