_once_ the Russo-Turkish War had been
permitted, no greater obstacle could have been presented to
Russia than the maintenance of this united Bulgarian State, and I
believe that the Russians felt this as well.

"I do not go into the question of the Asia Minor acquisitions by
Russia, for, to all intents and purposes, the two treaties are
alike. By both treaties Russia possesses the strategical points
of the country, and though by the Berlin Treaty Russia gave up
the strip south of Ararat, and thus does not hold the road to
Persia, yet she stretches along this strip, and is only distant
two days' march from the road, the value of which is merely
commercial.

"By both treaties Russia obtained Batoum and the war-like tribes
around it. Though the _only port_ on the Black Sea between Kertch
and Sinope, a distance of 1000 miles, its acquisition by Russia
was never contested. It was said to be a worthless
possession--'grapes were sour.'

"I now come to the changes made in the San Stephano Treaty (which
was undoubtedly, and was intended to be, the _coup de grace_ to
Turkish rule in Europe) by the Treaty of Berlin.

"By the division of the two Bulgarias we prolonged, without
alleviating, the agony of Turkey in Europe; we repaired the great
mistake of Russia, from a Russian point of view, in making one
great State of Bulgaria. We stipulated that Turkish troops, with
a hostile Bulgaria to the north, and a hostile Roumelia to the
south, should occupy the Balkans. I leave military men, or any
men of sense, to consider this step. We restored Russia to her
place, as the protector of these lands, which she had by the
Treaty of San Stephano given up. We have left the wishes of
Bulgarians unsatisfied, and the countries unquiet. We have forced
them to look to Russia more than to us and France, and we have
lost their sympathies. And for what? It is not doubted that ere
long the two States will be united. If Moldavia and Wallachia
laughed at the Congress of Paris, and united while it (the
Congress) was in session at Paris, is it likely Bulgaria will
wait long, or hesitate to unite with Roumelia, because Europe
does not wish it?

"Therefore the union of the two States is certain, only it is to
be regretted that this union will give just the chance Ru