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REPLY OF GENERAL HENRY DEMBINSKI

TO THE ARTICLE OF

M. PAGES DE L'ARIEGE,

ON THE OCCUPATION OP ALGIERS,

I read yesterday, with a lively interest, in the Journal "Le Temps," an article of M. Pagès de l'Ariége on the question of Algiers. I venture to put forward a few lines in reply to it. I shall not follow the author in his arguments, however lucid and profound they are, with regard to the internal question, that is to say, the question of details by which Algiers must belong to France, or of those who, actuated by the same motives, might advise its being abandoned. I only wish to take up the political side of the question. The article says: "But Algiers, a French colony, with its influence on the Mediterranean, with its present and future importance, Algiers ceasing to belong to Pirates, Algiers no longer being able to belong to a rival nation which would convert it into a military arsenal, a commercial entrepot, a grand field for cultivation. Such is the political view of the question."

I must here beg to express my dissent from the author. I believe I do not err in saying that the political question of Algiers is not at Algiers, but at Constantinople, at Cairo, at Alexandria, at Tunis, Tripoli, and Morocco - every where, in a word, where Mussulman nationality exists. The commercial world, as well as that portion of mankind which follows the progress of civilisation, has its eyed fixed on the

Eastern question; on its solution depend the future destinies of the world. In order that this important question may be solved in a manner favourable to humanity, it is essential not only that we should see Turkey strong, but, above all, that she should confide in her allies. Now, the battles fought by Abd-el-Kader cannot be indifferent to every good Mussulman, that is to say, to every good Turkish patriot; for the more they have been unfortunate in the wars waged during the last century, the more easily are they excited to admire the warlike renown of every disciple of Mahomet, whoever he may be. Yes, I doubt not that the eyes and wits of every Mussulman follow with attention the struggle which is engaged on the territory of Dziezzar - the invincible, for this is the appellation given to Algiers in Turkey. What do they see there? The French, their most ancient allies, delighting in the destruction of their brethren in God. Is this the mode of gaining their confidence?-Is this, above all, the way to strengthen the power of the Grand Seignor, to assist him in his reforms?

I may affirm, with a full knowledge of the facts acquired on the spot, that this occupation of Algiers by France creates discontent in the populations of the empire against their Sovereign. I know I shall be told that the power of the Grand Seignor was incapable of repressing the piracy committed with the cognizance of the Regency of Algiers, but justice requires that we should go back to the time when the expedition of Algiers was prepared. What was then the power of the Grand Seignor? Nothing! The incessant revolts of the Janissaries hindered him from being master in his capital; how could he then become master at Algiers? At the present day, when the regularity of the service is secured, Algiers, in the hands of the Porte, would no longer be dangerous to merchants; and with regard to the interests of commerce and the colonists, treaties may stipulate them,

and make them more advantageous to France than those of a colony protected by the range of cannon.

I shall not dilate upon the grave nature of the Eastern question, upon the immense results that its solution will have on the commercial world; but it is then, more than ever, that we may appreciate the incalculable advantages which would be acquired by the power which could act towards the Turkish nation with the justice which is due to her. France, more happily situated in this respect than England, would see her southern shores attain prosperity hitherto unrivalled, since the merchandize which follows the route of the sea, in going round the Cape of Good Hope, might reach the Mediterranean directly in traversing Syria, and take back by the same route the productions of the manufacturing industry of France.

This is the state of the political question. In this instance, as M. O. Barrot, one of the most conscientious orators of the Chamber of Deputies, said on the subject of the amendment on Poland, "It is, by a rare coincidence, in harmony with honour and strict justice." Yes, I repeat, strict justice: the true interests of France require that Algiers should be restored to its nationality. In regard to civilization, indeed, every thing appears to indicate that the result will be more prompt when the reforms shall proceed from that quarter which speaks in the name of force?

It may, perhaps, excite astonishment that a stranger should take so deep an interest in this question; but, as a Pole, I cannot remain a stranger to any thing which interests the Ottoman empire. It is because our ancestors did not sufficiently well understand their mutual interests, that we are one and all of us fallen into misfortune. Ever since a perfidious and subtle enemy meddled with our affairs, our sufferings have never ceased. This day, at least, 'Poles and Turks, we must employ every effort to repair the

evil which has been committed, to stop that which threatens the rest of mankind! Turkey can be saved, and must be saved: otherwise the fate which we suffer will be (with a slight difference) that of all Europe. Turkey has in her hands strength sufficient for her conservation, but she must not be weakened. We have no strength; but we are dispersed throughout the world to bear witness of the truth! to serve as a living example of the fate which attends those who for a single moment put faith in the promises, oaths, or treaties of Russia ;-the moment Catharine had sworn to guarantee our territory, we ceased to exist.

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DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS OF RUSSIA WITH

THE COURT OF PEKIN.

PART I.

WITHIN the last few years, the increasing interest attached to our relations with China has given rise in many of the commercial cities of the Empire to petitions to Parliament in favour of some decided step on the part of the executive, to protect our Chinese trade, and to place our interests and national dignity, in those remote regions, beyond the reach of injury and insult.

We are not aware that any English publication has hitherto touched upon the diplomatic relations of Russia with the Celestial Empire; yet, during more than a century, the most intimate relations have subsisted between the Chinese government and a Russian Mission in disguise at Pekin, to the influence of which, judging from the character of Russian diplomacy in every other country, may probably, in

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