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 different.”* 

Should Russia attempt, were it only for the salvation of 
appearances, to back up the ridiculous demonstrations of Men- 
chikoff by actual maneuvers of war, her first two steps would 
probably consist in the re-occupation of the Danubian Prin- 
cipalities, and in the invasion of the Armenian province of Kars 
and the port of Batum, territories which she made every effort to 
secure by the treaty of Adrianople. The port of Batum 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 Trebizond, 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 com- 
manded his slaves to drive the Russian Ambassador Voinovich 

* The Morning Herald,No. 22168, May 26, 1853. Ed. 

and his companions with scourges to their ships, away from 
Astrabad. 

In no quarter did the latest news create greater consternation 
than in Printing-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 telegraph, that “most extraordinary” 
instrument. “No correct conclusions could be drawn,” it ex- 
claimed, “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 aggrandizement needs but to display itself in its 
true shape to excite universal antipathy and an insurmountable opposition, in 
which the Greek and Sclavonian subjects 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 moderate, only demands the exclusive Protectorate of 
Turkey. Mankind will not forget that Russia was the protector of 
Poland, the protector of the Crimea, the protector of Courland, the 
protector of 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. 

a The Times, No. 21440, May 28, 1853.— Ed. 

The Russian frontier has advanced. 

Toward Berlin, Dresden and Vienna about ...........:22c000e 700 miles 
Toward Gonstantinople ccsisisicecicsicscssetscvedaceescepancsndsonnees 500 =” 
Toward Stockholm .0.......ccccccccescccssscccueessueeseceseccassessaeseeneees 630 =” 
Toward Teheran .........cccccccccccscccccecuccucnecsccecceceseusescuceaseneeses 1,000 ” 

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. 

Written on May 31, 1853 Reproduced from the newspaper 

Tribune, No. 3794, June 14, 1853 

Signed: Karl Marx