NEWS OF THE WEEK.
SERVIA, one of the most important provinces of Turkey, has just advanced the claim to a degree of independence which threatens seriously to cheek the authority of the Porte at a most critical time, and greatly, to complicate the Eastern question in all its relations. There does not appear to be any rebellious intent in this proceeding of Servia ; it springs out of previous events, and the claim is advanced in terms which have every appearance of good faith, as they have the manner of courtesy. The fact is, that Servia, peopled by one of the Sclavonian races of Turkey, has ad- vanced in civilization, and in political intelligence, to a point at which it is beginning to outgrow the control hitherto exercised by a Ifussulman government and a race of alien faith and sympathies. In this respect it stands on a parallel with Bulgaria; but there is the remarkable distinction, that whereas in Bulgaria peaceful pur- suits have considerably fostered a desire for tranquillity, in Servia the military spirit has been more cultivated, and has recently been exercised in a manner to stimulate the local ambition. The relations of Servia with its suzerain and allies may be said to cross each other in a .peculiar manner. By treaty, the province has long enjoyed the right of electing its own princes, and of exercising a great degree of self-government ; but the Porte retains the sovereignty, and the right of maintain- ing six garrisons. The sovereign power enabled Turkey to regulate the foreign relations of Servia ; and the commander of the gar- rison at Belgrade has recently compelled the dismissal of a Rus- sian consul at that capital. Servia had professed to maintain a strict neutrality; and in the maintenance of that neutrality it refuses to permit Turkish troops to pass over its territory, and claims the right of readmitting the Russian minister. With Russia, however, the sympathies of Servia are necessarily imper- fect, The province agrees to some extent with the Walla- chians, who do not look forward to absorption in a Pansdavonian liussian empire with any satisfaction. There has also been a considerable sympathy between the Servians and the Sclavonian population if not the armies on the Austrian frontier,—a sympathy carried out practically during the Hungarian war, but checked by the bitter disappointment which the military leaders of Servia felt at the very small acknowledgment for their eminent services to Austria. The fact is, that Servia does not wish to be either Russian or Austrian, any more than she wishes to be Turkish. She has a distinct race, a substantive power, and a conscious will of her own. It is a great question, however, whether she possess the political power, the military strength, or the territorial distinctness suffi- cient to maintain the independence to which she aspires ; and thus there is a doubt whether, if she were to shake herself loose from the Porte, she would be able to sustain a separate existence, or whether, on the contrary, she might not become the tool of that power Which could for the time prevail either through main force or diplomatic slrill. Servia seems only to introduce a new element of confusion into the already complicated Eastern question. The aapeOt of Europe during the week exhibits not a sign of ap- proach to a sealed purpose. There are many well-intentioned movements, and some perhaps with an intention not so good as their profession; but nothing definite. Austria is said to be moving for a new conference ; this time, however, with so much guarantee for her better understanding and good faith as consists in her naming London or Paris as the scene where the delegates Should meet. At the present stage of the affair, there does not appear to be much hope, even in Vienna, that new conferences can settle the dispute. The language used by the Xing of Prussia on opening his Chambers confesses, that "the complications" which have sprung up in the East give rise to "apprehensions" for the maintenance ot peace ; and the assurance that Prussia will persevere "to plead the cause of peace and moderation" with "independent and impartial language," supported by "a martial, patriotic, and united people," indicates a worthy spirit, but not the faintest trace of a distinct purpose. The language of the senior member of the Second Chamber probably gives voice to the German feeling, when he declares, that Prussia, supported by sound finances and a courageous army, would be enabled to throw her remonstrances into the balance, and to oppose encroachment in whatever quarter it might originate. It cannot be supposed that France is regardless of the intrigues that centre in Frobsdorf ; and the propositions that have originated in Paris for an energetic settlement of the Eastern question must of course take into account the strength which France would derive from the English alliance against other Eu- ropean intrigues besides those that are going on in Turkey. Eu- rope, however, is more conscious of some vague impending disturb- ance, more anxious for the consequences that may ensue, than clear in any settled plan of action. It is just at this point that the Servian difficulty arises to un- settle calculations that may have been made with regard to Turkey. From the first we regarded any such calculations as highly ques- tionable. The elements are far too complicated for us to foresee their working. We cannot definitely say, here is such an object to be attained if we cooperate to attain it; or there is such a specific danger to be warded off by such or such specific measures. If there be a disturbance, no-man can even conjecture what will be the result; and if any man supposed previously that he could so calculate, this comparatively minor incident of Servia might suffice to convince him of his error. Under such circumstances, it is not at definite objects that we can aim—the only guide is sound prin- ciple. It is to determine the principle upon which the peace of , Europe and the comity of nations should be sustained that the 1 councils of France and England should be directed. If they can determine that principle, they will have the compass to guide them through the storm and mist which threaten to sweep Europe.
