The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-08-27

sultan's inability to enforce reforms and
protect hia Christian subjects In that parto OF
his dominions. II was acknowledged by
the Purtc's representatives that the Mo-
hammcdan population in that quarter
could not bo controlled by any MILF
tarv force at its own disposal II any
thing more was needed to acquaiut Austrian
statesmen with the difficulties which must
attend the establishment in those provinces
~ n stable and equitable government.
sufficient data were at hand in the his
tory of tho last half century. From 1881
20 1850 the authority ~ the central power
was an absolute nullity TO tho north
west OF Novl-lazar, and during the
greater part Of that period ALI Pasha,
the Sultan's nominal vassal, was really as
independent in Bosnin rs MEHENEr ALI was
in Egypt Ii is true that the rcbcllous Gov
crnor was at last defeated md slain, and
that measure OF law and order and of pro-
lection for tho prosecuted rayah was
introduced by OMAR Pasha after n long
and costly contest with the Moslcm land
owners. This improved state of things,
however, was 81 short duration. Tho
privilege nominaly conccdc to this Chris
tlan peasant were refused or cvadcd 10y hey
and aga until the humane legislation Of
MAnMoUD and ABDUL-t,EDJID. which else
where had received tolerably loyal appli-
cation. became "A notorious dead letter on tho
northwest frontier, and exposed the Turkish
Government to the reproach OF double deal
ing and bad faith.
What the Porto could not do In 1850 and
1875 was clearly beyond It's discrcdtcd and
mutlatcd power Ia 1878 1t was equally
plain that the Bosnian aristocracy, who
had not scrupled to defy the Commander
Of the Faithful, would resist to the utmost
of their strength the execution OF reforms
bya Christian State. How considerable were
their military resources might have been
Inferred from the fact that on more than
one occasion the number of recruits fur
nished 10y these provinces TO the Turkish
regular army has exceeded 10000, while,
as regards quality, these levics have at all
times been c,Hntcd the flower Of the Otto
man soldicry. When Austria, therefore,
undertook to protect the Christians Of
Bosnia. she must have expected
long and arduous contest; and when
the Porte undertook to recognize Aus
trian supervision in that quarter and to
guarantee peaceful entrance, II made an
illusory promise which it could not hope TO
| keep. Hence the eagcrness of the Sultan's
| representatives TO obtain an explicit agree
ment as to the duration and character OF the
occupation before tho expeditionary army
Of Gen. PHILPPovIcH had passed the
frontier. Hence, too. the natural reluctance
on the part Of the Vienna Cabinet to bind
itself by any convention until the cost OF in
PREVENTION had been determined by expo
rience.
There is no ground for imputing bad faith
to the Ottoman Government in the matter
Of the Bosnian occupation. But 1t has shown
itself unable to enforce its authority, and
the burden OF doing so has fallen on
the Austrian army. For every soldier lost
or disabled, and for every form expended
| by reason Of this Bosnian outbreak, n
claim will lie against the Porte, for
| whose payment the provinces now oc-
cupied will naturally form the most
available security. This, then, is no doubt
the shape which the Bosnian convention
will ultimately assume. As regards nomi-
| nal sovereignty some concessions may be
made to the sultan but possession and sub
| stantal control Of the country between the
| Driua and the Save will be conceded 10 Aus
| tria until all expenses and advances haN a
been made good, that is to say, for an
indefinite period, whose end we shall
scarcely see in the present generation.