" Were Russia in exchange to surrender her rights, which
are of great and real political value to her, especially those in Central Asia, in the direction of India, the understanding would resemble the agreement by which France surrendered her rights in Egypt in exchange for Morocco, where England could lay claim to no rights, and which would only cause injury to her relations with Germany. If Russia were to take Constantinople, as has been suggested, other Powers would demand compensation. Austria, for instance, would ask for Salonika, and could Russia ruin the Serbs in order to come to an understanding with the English? Germany would see in the appearance of Russia in the Dardanelles a threat for her trade in Asia Minor."
The Novoe Vremya adds that an understanding between Great Britain and Russia could be effected on a different basis, which would be much more modest, but less perilous, as Russia does not require Constantinople, but merely desires the right of free passage through the Dardanelles.
