CHAPTER XIII.

HAD THE ALLIES FULLY SUCCEEDED IN THE ATTACK ON RUSSIA THEY WOULD HAVE HELD TURKEY AS A COLONIAL DEPENDENCY, AS ENGLAND HOLDS INDIA, AND AS FRANCE INTENDS TO DEAL WITH MEXICO.

Only about one-fourth part of the population of the Ottoman Empire are Turks, and these, as masters, hold the remaining three-fourths in subjection, treating them as an inferior caste, just in proportion as they are not restrained by a fear of European Powers. A very large proportion of this subject class, perhaps fourteen millions, bear the Christian name. This fact alone would be sufficient to show that the days of Turkish dominion are numbered.

These millions of Christians could not be compelled much longer to endure the broken yoke of the Mussulman, and the Emperor of Russia only presented a most obvious fact to the English cabinet, when he intimated that it would be wise to make some proper provision for the approaching change. It was, however, urged, both in England and by those who sympathized with England here, that although the power of the Sultan may be annihilated, and Turkey proper disappear, still on the territory of the Porte a Christian State may be established, which, under the protection of the Western Powers, may give a Christian civilization

to the East, while barbarism and oppression would be the result of the occupation of Russia. Thus it was declared that the war was one of Christian civilization against the barbarous fanaticism of the North. This opinion swayed many Christian minds in this country, who dreamed of free Christian states, perhaps republics, dotting all the East, under the protection of England.

It is not very difficult, certainly not impossible, to form an opinion of what the result of France and English dominion would be if extended over the East. Their position, and wants, together with their past conduct and present policy, surely afford the data for an accurate judgment of the future.

No one certainly is credulous enough to suppose that either of these Powers was carrying on war merely to deliver the oppressed, or to promote in any way the general welfare of mankind, unless at the same time their own interests were in some way to be advanced, or their own ambition to be gratified. To build upon Eastern soil such a nation. or nations as France and England now are, rivals of themselves in wealth, civilization and power, to restore in short, to the East its old prosperity, and infuse an independent life into states to be erected there: this was not in all their thoughts.

Nay, more, such a result is not only contrary to every feature of their policy, but for no purpose would both England and France put their fleets and armies in motion sooner, than to forbid and prevent the interposition between themselves and eastern and northern Asia, of powerful and independent states. Such a nation as the United States, if one could arise there, would be attacked by the western Powers, for far more urgent reasons than have moved them to the war on Russia. In order to predict the results of French and English rule in these regions, it is only necessary to study these governments as they are, and in the light of their history.

In the very outset of such an investigation, a fact is presented whose importance settles all. Neither France nor

England can hold any territory outside of their present home limits except as colonial dependencies, and this determines of course the policy of the government in regard to them. Neither of these Powers desire, or would ever permit independent, self-developing communities in the East, but dependencies only, in fact if not in form, from which tribute could be in some manner gathered for the government and country at home. The object of these now Allied Powers is to manufacture for all other nations, and to control for themselves the commerce of the world. What they require then is raw material for their mills, and markets for their products.

Let it be remembered that the rule of France or England over the East must be essentially that of a foreign Power, whatever the relation might be. There are no affinities of race or religion which might produce or cement a union, but, on the contrary, there are violent antipathies, especially in regard to France, which are not to be removed, or even controlled, except by the arm of power. The connection between races thus politically united can be of one kind only-that of masters and dependents. In similar cases, then, what have been the results? What is the effect of English dominion upon the one hundred and fifty millions which she governs in the East already? Turkey and the adjacent regions may learn a lesson from British India. From the Merchants' Magazine, than which there is no better authority either here or in Europe, the following statistical information has been derived, which will show how India stands related to Great Britain, and how she is affected by her rule:

"During the last fifteen years, there has been accruing from this effeminate people the vast sum of £340,760,000, of which sum but £5,000,000 have been spent in public. improvements. Its revenue in India is twenty-seven million pounds, of which but sixty thousand pounds are spent for the education of children. Its military expenditures, in 1839, were eight millions pounds; in 1852, twelve mil

lions pounds, or about forty-six per cent. of the whole revenue. The taxes on the lands amount to twelve millions pounds annually, averaging from sixty to ninety per cent. of the whole production of the soil. Wages of a laborer from six to eight cents a day. Salt is not allowed to be manufactured, and every pound consumed pays three-fourths of a penny, tax."

In addition to other articles, India can produce more opium than Europe consumes, and therefore England sends a fleet and army to China, and says, "You must buy from "me so much opium each year, or I shall lay your com"mercial towns in ashes." China replied that this poison was ruining her subjects, body and soul, and that she had no need of opium, indeed, would be in every respect happier and more prosperous without it. England's answer was, "I must realize a certain sum from my opium; it can "not be done unless you buy, and buy you must. Here "am I, with shotted guns and matches lighted."

This is a sample of the colonial policy of England, and this is the prosperity and civilization which she confers upon her present possessions in the East. Such, modified only by circumstances, is her governmental scheme for colonies.

Colonial policy, as a whole, may be regarded as a system designed to convey to the coffers of the home or ruling country the largest possible amount of treasure, with the least possible expenditure. England needs colonies to raise her raw material and grain for her workmen, and for these she wishes to pay with her manufactured products, at prices secured by a monopoly of the trade.

This would be the governing principle of her policy, as well as of France, if they should gain control of Turkey, and the regions around the Euxine and the Caspian. It would be there, as in India, a system of oppression and exhausting demands. These countries would be allowed to produce nothing which could be supplied by the ruling

race.

Turkey would possess neither manufactures nor an independent commerce, and consequently neither a high state of civilization nor wealth. She would be confined to agricultural labor, with wages at the minimum rate, to be paid for by inferior goods at such prices as can be maintained where competition is not allowed. Even now, England absorbs thirty-seven per cent. of the whole commerce of Turkey, and she derives from thence one-fourth part of all the grain that is imported for her operatives. Hence her anxiety concerning the occupancy of the Danubian provinces.

The term colonial policy is used here because, as has been stated already, whatever external political form the relation between the East and western Powers might assume, it would be rirtually one of colonial dependency, because this is absolutely required by the commercial interests involved.

Lamartine has declared that England would sacrifice all Europe to her commerce, and the remark finds its reason in her history. If any are disposed to believe that India should not be cited as a fair example of her policy, let him consult our own colonial history, and observe the systematic and oppressive course pursued by the mother country to repress manufactures and commerce here, loading us with restrictions and prohibitions, and discouraging every description of industrial effort which looked either to independent existence, or to the production of anything which England could make or buy for us with her goods, and grasping the profits of our carrying trade by compelling a re-shipment in England of our exports to foreign countries. What an able writer has said in regard to France and her relations to the East, her designs upon Turkey, illustrates with entire accuracy the policy of the western Powers. Having stated that up to 1842 France desired the decay and dismemberment of Turkey, he proceeds:

"The question recurs, Why has she changed her policy, and why to-day does she help to rivet the chains by which