The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-11-22

wm.. FROM Loadoa Times Nov 1.
THE BRITISH STRUGGLE FOR POWER IN TURKEY.
The Turkish capital at the present time the battle field
Of powers II longer the strife Of rival churches
jealous embassies but OF associations perhaps st more
keen and resoute Commercial enterprise has invaded the
East and ia accordance with instincts which have become
part of our nature Engshmen have followed up the tr
umphs of and utilized the experience Of occupation by
number of schemes less venturous and grandos
Certainly, accuse nation Of tmidity which,
within six months Of the conclusion OF great war; has
projected railways from Belgrade TO Constantnople from
the Mediterranean the Persian gulf untitled plains
past decay villages amid the hauns of irrclamable
tribes for many hundreds Of miles The great wealth Of
England and the desire for profitable investments
than afforded within the limits of country of redun
dant capital have caused and will cause the East to be
explored by the enterprsng and speculative The result
OF this will be- doubt not the ultimate addition OF many
neglected regions TO the field of industry with great in
Of human happiness and fuller guarantee Of safety
for Europe Bot at the present tine II may not be amiss
TO inquire into the actual state of Turkey and to examine
what the prospects Of speedy remuneration tor capital
aud enterprise.
One thing ought to be lost sight OF by those who
would have dealings with the East-namely that the
Turkish State ia different from any other with which
familiar In Turkey is supreme which inter
with Europe has been able TO inoculate with
diplomatic, and hold his with his rayahs but
for progress and enterprise and civilization and all the
ideas with which the modern world is familiar must
not look for them from him. He ia not and far IL is
possible TO judge never can be- merchant or sailor, an
Inventor q speculator engineer or an architect
There only two types of Mussumen in Constantine
pethe functonary and the aborer the Pasha with his
iaermnabe series of subordnates and dependents and
the honest porter who his bread by The of his
hraw here ia mil of ks a
into business relations with the English capitalist
adventurer and help him in advancing the interests of the
country. The Turkey with which our commercial men
will have do is limited to dozen Pashas,
less connected with the Suan palace Of the Euro
pean embassies These the authorities of the State
in the hands of these concessions privileges monopo
lies contracts and the AS for the Turkish people, it
is nowhere.
But under this conclave of saaps this dominant band
of shrewd and stubborn but selfish and indolent po
Clans exist communities in whom the real financial power
of Turkey resides The Armenian banker who has half
dozen pashas deep in his debt and who furnishes the
and horses with which newly risen avorite
off for rich government is potentate, of whose
existence the agent of the English company who busy
the banks of tho Bosphorusy is hardly aware The
Greeks with their Austrian and French and Russian pro-
lection skltuy used at the proper time their organza
ton their universal correspondence also in the back
ground and the emssary from London full of his inter-
views with ambassadors and pashas reflects that he
has been eegraphed and his arrival prepared for and his
dongs discussed and his plans pronounced upon by
who really govern the imposing statesman whom be has
been fortnight past daily detailing his schemes We
but think that counrymen fall somewhat into
respecting the real power of the Turkish govern
ment We all know that capital is both timd and indie
pendent that il fears everything and respects nothing
If this gaudy ontispiece of imperial sway do not truly
represent the financial power of the country-f the Sultan
and ministers cannot really control the commercial
of the emprewe may find late that guarantees
and concessions but deluson and that sums
of money and great opportunity have been irrevocaby
lost
Take for instance the plan ofa bank to be founded by
English capitalists London does know much OF Lev
antine affairs and may thGk with national sefeom.
pacency, that English merchants and Engish politicians
must carry everything before them Such has dpo
matte influence another has been in the East and recons
several Pashas and Be samong his acquaintance Ocoure
the thing is done But these sanguine spectators do
reflect that Turkey is financially in the hands of class
OF rich, thoroughly organized perfectly acquainted
with the country, with the Turks race with the chief
politicians indviduals-who the creditors of the
Sultan of his wives of his ministers Of his
stand the vantage ground Of possession and have only
defend the capital which they had time enough to for
ty Is it likely that these would give up their gains
to a London company, and come down from 10 IL per
cent to moderate Of INTEREST," They have got the
money which has been spent during the war the commits
sarat soveregns and napoeons in their s loans and
advances have benefited them, and not the Turk and
they perfectly capable of fighting long battle The
consequence of course, of attempt to establish
bank without their found the whole race in
solid array armed all points. Intestine disputes van
shed at the approach of the enemy and everything that
energy and intrigue could accomplish awaited the unhap
Ply project The Turks appear in the foreground the de-
lays the equivocaon, the promises and the receptions
all theirs but the real resistance ID the work of sub
tie and resolute men.
We would, therefore advise countrymen not to
sanguiney the of political support
The Turkish functonaes in commercial both
ignorant and corrupt When scheme Is detailed to one
Of them, he will inshe majority of understand II
very imperfectly. Whether be Is to have Of the
money, he will probably require to be placed in clear
light but the he will leave to other and clearer heads
Now the real advisers and condants Of the whole con-
cave of Pashas these very Greeks and Armenians
who have hitherto baed the Ottoman Bank and are now
wsgng unsuccessful struggle against the chief capt
talists Of Europe The Porte s believe totally IN.
Sultan Ia In debt the hsrem is deeply in debt and few Of
the chief out Of the hands Of the moueysnders
In this condition Of things everything sacrificed for
supply OF ready money While capitalists bidding for
concessions the Porte has demanded his price 6rs
loan Of f500OoOo and then Of &c 600 00o rising In Its
exactions the competition grows hot At the time
II we are correctly informed the money for the last dv
deud on the old loan had be borrowed at of 10
per cent Such state Of things should make coun-
trymen more cautious in their dealings Ia this field