WHAT RUSSIA. THINKS.
fro X11/ EDITOR or via "9PIAOffla0a...3 Sru,—As the Spectator was first, and is still foremost, in advocating that Russia should be given the guardianship of Constantinople and the Straits, I feel sure that your readers will be glad to know what Russia thinks about that town and the Narrows. The views of the Russian people may be seen, not from the declarations of the Government, but from those of the party leaders in the Duma and from the Russian Press. At a recent sitting, all the party leaders were demanding for Russia the control of the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles because Russia must have, for all time, a free outlet to the Mediterranean and to the lands beyond. The Russian news- papers have been equally unanimous in their claims. As the British Press takes scarcely any notice of the views expressed by the Russian papers, I would, with your permission, give to your readers a few characteristic extracts from the Novae Vremya of February 19th—March 4th. In a leading article by Mr. Menshikoff we read "In the special circumstances of the universal war, mercy can be shown to Turkey this time only on very hard terms. Turkey may be allowed to retain her autonomy only in those parts of Asia Minor where the Turks are in an undoubted majority. All conquered territories held by that small but warlike race must be taken away, beginning with their European possessions and Con- stantinople. The Christian races, beginning with the Armenians in the East, the Orthodox Arabs in the South, and the Greeks in the West, must be freed for all time, and Palestine, with its great sacred associations, must be liberated. 12.841 cannot give up her claim to Constantinople and the Dardanelles, for these are her natural outlet for her trade with the whole world. The possession of Constantinople is not a romantic dream. H is not a desire of poets or of political visionaries. Its possession is for Russia an economic necessity as much as is the Nicolaievsky Railway. The Dardanelles are a channel connecting the Mediterranean, not only with the Black Sea, but with the great Russian rivers which flow into that sea, and the Russian railways which lead from the interior to its shore. Thus the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles open the way to the rivers Dnieper, Don, Volga, Kama, and, through them, to the enormous agricultural districts of the bigot earth region in the South... . Russia is in extreme need of en outlet to the sea. At the moment it is impossible to carry goods from Tashkent or Semipalatinsk to Libau or ArchangeL England and France, who have been with Russia in defending the rights of the smaller nations, are bound to respect the natural right of the mighty Russian Empire to a free outlet on the Southern Sea. The popu- lation of all Russia approaches two hundred millions. So vast • population cannot be cramped and confined and kept away from the sea without causing a universal catastrophe. Our allies, Serbia alone excepted, possess the glorious gift of an open outlet to the sea, and England and France are particularly happy in this respect. Therefore these Powers will understand the tragedy of Russia's position and the indefatigable efforts of the Empire to acquire what it lacked. As soon as war broke out between Russia and Turkey a thrill went through the whole of the country. The whole nation instinctively felt that this time Constantinople would become Russian. In view of the unheard-of treachery of the Turks in attacking us and our allies without cause, Turkey must be made harmless for all time. It is unworthy of a great nation to be any longer dependent for its economic existence on the caprice of an Asiatic robber squatting on the Bosphorus. To Russia a free outlet to the Mediterranean is en absolute necessity. She has waited for it for centuries and she can wait no longer. Constantinople must be Russian, and it will make no difference if England and France are the first in seizing that town. We all are fighting a common enemy, and each of us should be rewarded according to his needs."
In " War Notes," signed "A. B.," appearing in the came issue of Russia's leading newspaper, we read " Formerly, when entering on the road which leads to Constanti- nople, Russia always met with opposition from those nations who are now our allies, and especially with England's opposition. During the lest ten years Germany has taken England's place, and she is fighting Russia because we are determined no longer to remain a German colony, and so be exploited by her to our own detriment. Germany wishes to take away from Russia all hope of free access to the sea by the celebrated Straits. We have no doubt that we shall be able to defeat our enemies. How- ever, Russia's victory will not be complete unless the Russian flag waves over Constantinople. Otherwise the question of the Straits will continue to trouble and vex Europe and will lead to further ware. Russia wants Constantinople, not for military reasons, but on economic grounds. She requires free access to the sea. The Anglo-French Fleet, in attacking the Dardanelles, appears to be doing Ruseia's business. However, the sincere friendship between the three Great Powers has brought about their perfect co-opera- tion. We Hest one another. Hence it can easily be understood that the Russian people watch with joy the successes of their friends in the Dardanelles. Regarding their future, we can only express our hopes, but we do not doubt that England will so longer oppose Russia's wishes. Time. have changed. Men's eye.' have been opened, and it is no longer feared that Russia would threaten the Sues Canal if she possessed the Narrows. The neutralization of the Straits seems scarcely practicable. Russia must menu that position under conditions and guarantees which will be worked out in due time."
These two extracts from a single number of the Noses Vremya are representative, and they are characteristic of countless articles published by Russian newspapers of every shade of opinion. They show what Russia thinks. Franco and Great Britain will act wisely in respecting Russia's justified aspirations.—I am, Sir, dee., A STUDENT 07 HISTORY.
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