The Turkish Question—The Times- 
Russian Aggrandizement. 

Correspondence of The N.Y.Tribune. 

London, Tuesday, May 31, 1853. 

Admiral Corry's fleet has been seen in the Bay of Biscay on the way to Malta, 
where it is to reinforce the squadron of Admiral Dundas. The Morning Herald 
justly observes: 

"Had Admiral Dundas been permitted to join the French squadron at 
Salamis, several weeks ago, the present state of affairs would be quite dif- 
ferent." 

Should Russia attempt, were it only for the salvation of appearances, to 
back up the ridiculous demonstrations of Menchikoff by actual maneuvers 
of war, her first two steps would probably consist in the re-occupation of 
the Danubian principalities, and in the invasion of the Armenian province 
of Kars and the port of Batoum, territories which she made every effort to 
secure by the treaty of Adrianople. The port of Batoum being the only safe 
refuge for ships in the eastern part of the Black Sea, its possession would 
deprive Turkey of her last naval station in the Pontus and make the latter 
an exclusively Russian Sea. This port added to the possession of Kars, the 
richest and best cultivated portion of Armenia, would enable Russia to cut 
off the commerce of England with Persia by way of Trebisond, and afford 
a basis of operations against the latter power, as well as against Asia Minor. 
If, however, England and France hold firm, Nicholas will no more carry out 
his projects in that quarter, than the Empress Catherine carried out hers 
against Aga Mahmed, when he commanded his slaves to drive the Russian 
Ambassador Voinovitch and his companions with scourges to their ships, 
away from Asterabad. 

In no quarter did the latest news create greater consternation than in Print- 
ing-House-square. The first attempt made by The Times to lift up its head 
under the terrible blow, was a desperate diatribe against the electric tele- 
graph, that "most extraordinary" instrument. "No correct conclusions could 
be drawn," it exclaimed, "from that mendacious wire." Having thus laid its 
own incorrect conclusions to the fault of the electric wire, The Times, after 
the statement of Ministers in Parliament, endeavors now also to get rid of 
its ancient "correct" premises. It says: 

"Whatever may be the ultimate fate of the Ottoman Empire, or rather of 
that Mohammedan Power which has ruled it for four centuries, there can 
be no difference of opinion between all parties in this country and in Europe, 
that the gradual progress of the indigenous Christian population toward 
civilization and independent government is the interest of the world, and that 
these races of men ought never to be suffered to fall under the yoke of Russia, 
and to swell her gigantic dominions. On that point we confidently hope, that 
the resistance offered to these pretensions of Russia would be not only that 
of Turkey, but of all Europe; and this spirit of annexation and aggrandize- 
ment needs but to display itself in its true shape to excite universal antipathy 
and an insurmountable opposition, in which the Greek and Sclavonian sub- 
jects of Turkey are themselves prepared to take a great part." 

How did it happen, that the poor Times believed in the "good faith" of 
Russia toward Turkey, and her "antipathy" against all aggrandizement? The 
good will of Russia toward Turkey! Peter I. proposed to raise himself on the 
ruins of Turkey. Catherine persuaded Austria, and called upon France to 

participate in the proposed dismemberment of Turkey, and the establishment 

of a Greek Empire at Constantinople, under her grandson, who had been 
educated and even named with a view to this result. Nicholas, more moder- 
ate, only demands the exclusive Protectorate of Turkey. Mankind will not 
forget that Russia was the protector oi Poland, the protector oi the Crimea, 

the protector of Courland, the protector oi Georgia, Mingrelia, the Circassian 

and Caucasian tribes. And now Russia, the protector of Turkey! As to 
Russia's antipathy against aggrandizement, I allege the following facts from 
a mass of the acquisitions of Russia since Peter the Great. 

The Russian frontier has advanced: 

Toward Berlin, Dresden and Vienna about 700 miles. 
Toward Constantinople 500 
Toward Stockholm 630 
Toward Teheran 1000 

Russia's acquisitions from Sweden are greater than what remains of that 
Kingdom; from Poland nearly equal to the Austrian Empire; from Turkey 

in Europe, greater than Prussia (exclusive of the Rhenish Provinces;) from 
Turkey in Asia, as large as the whole dominion of Germany proper; from 
Persia equal to England; from Tartary to an extent as large as European 
Turkey, Greece, Italy and Spain, taken together. The total acquisitions of 
Russia during the last 60 years are equal in extent and importance to the 
whole Empire she had in Europe before that time. 

Karl Marx.