The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-16

The TurkIsh Danger.
The desperate position Of Turkey needs
all the care which astute and cautious diplo-
mats can bestow upon it to prevent the
crumbling ruins Of the Ottoman Empire
from falling to the ground. Like house
propped on every side it depends for safety
upon the support of each of the guarantee
ing Powers and the effort of the imperial
architects is at present directed to keeping
them in their position of beams against the
walls of crazy structure. That it would
be to the benefit of all of them to have the
present Turkish government torn down and
something adapted to modern civilization
reared in its stead is true, but there must be
present loss to them in the tumbling of
certain that they would be pleased with the
new government Hence the fnesse of con-
ferenccs where the three Empires of Europe
feel each others pulse. Hence, also, the
subtle intriguing at the little courts of the
principalities, where every move of Russia
surrounding the revolted provinces and by
them carried, electrically, almost, into the
insurgent camps.
On her side Turkey has done worse than
nothing toward smoothing the difficulties
of her position. Let the Porte do what it
will in giving its adhesion to diplomatic
notes and pacifcatory plans it has only to
attempt obeying the first or putting the Sec
ond in practice to find its Moslem subjects
obstinate and insubordinate. This is what
makes Turkeys position desperate. Har-
assed with importunate demands for
money from the Sultan's bankrupt Treas
ury, the Mussulmans find that all their pc
cuniary sacrifices only bring the infdel
that knows not Mohammed closer to their
doors, and an order to elevate the Chris
tian dogs whom they have trampled on
for ages to equality with themselves. The
disgust of the Southern planter for condi-
ton of government in which his late slaves
became from their voting power his masters
is not deep or embittered compared with the
repugnance with which the true Turk would
regard any attempt to make the despised
rayah his equal To the difference
of race must be added religious
fanaticism whose brightest traditions are
those which picture the Moslem scimitar at
the Christian throat. To such people
holy war would be hailed with joy. The
murders at Salonica point this with extreme
force, and the slightest indiscretion on the
part of the government would make every
town and village of Turkey q shambles for
Christians and next for the Turks them
selves, when Europe would rush to the new
crusade From such prospect the great
Powers. though each anxious for its ag-
grandizement, may we'll recoil in hor-
ror, for the end of the holy war
would only mark the beginning of
still more stupendous struggle
that of the elated victors striving for the
spoils. To gain, therefore, as long an
armistice as possible with the insurgents, to
punish sternly the murders at Salonica and
so give the Porte fair and final chance for
making some effort at administrative and
financial reform, is polite programme. 1t
is the best devisable, but its success depends
on more than the simple acquiescence of
the Turk. It needs positive enlightened
action on his part and that is its fatal weak
ness