Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-07-19


the most favored of her galaxy in fortune and
He is still a handsome man, I'M
der fifty, it would appear, but with a son al
most as old as the other George II. Boxer, of
the times of Poe, Graham, Conrad and Bird.
Mr.. Boxer was founder of the Union League
of Philadelphia, and his pieces OF verse dur
ing the war following or preceding military
actions or advances of national policy, were
considered, among the more useful speeches
and State papers, great aids to the war
spirit. He is a straight man, of clear
blonde skin, very light hair, and handsome
features, the poet and gentleman at glance.
| asked Mr.. Boxer if be would give me his
notion of
THE ANGLO TURKISH TREATY,
recently sprung upon the world in the midst
OF mild diplomatic pow-wow at Berlin.
Said Mr.. Boxer: Poor urkey has been
plundered of her territory and the Russians of
their conquests by the English
''Does that indicate a sagacious minister in
Earl Beaconsfeld?"
''He is crafty, unprincipled, dramatic
man, necessary to his party, though they de-
spise him, and as long as they had any other
capable leader the tories kept him under. Yet
DIsraeli seems to suit the temper of the times
in England"
''What is that temper?"-
"The English public seem willing to pour
out their money for the general game OF ad-
vantage and expansion, and this is only
another notable victory of the purse, a little
meaner than other such purchases, because it
robs both the ally and the rival
"What is to be the effect of this protecto-
rate over Asiatic- Turkey by England?'
zone effect, | suppose, will be to make
England spend a great deal of money, but
her trade will penetrate there and somewhat
increase her markets The Turks in Asia will,
hereafter be the object of Russian intrigue
and English surveillance. 1t is not probable
that any definite settlement of the eastern
question is at aimed by the treaty; it is only
another step forward OF backward. y
"Have you ever been in Cyprus?n
mo; that is almost the only part of Tur
key in Europe l did not visit. 1t is an adj
vantageous military possession, and, with
Gibraltar, gives England two of the great po-
sltions on the Mediterranean, the opening of
the pocket and the bottom of it..
as the valley of the Euphrates adaptable
for railroad without great expense?
''It is very unhealthy valley, subject to
overflow, marshy and debihtating. Yet this
occupation of Cyprus will probably result in
the building of railroad from the Mediter-
ranean to the Persian gulf. -
''Have you read the remark attributed to
Schouvaloff in the Berlin convention-that
there is imminent danger to Europe in arm
ing the Asatic hordes with modern rifles and
artillery"
s'lf he said that said Mr. Boxer" it was
little foxy. Russia herself has been eminent
for armlng the fercest warriors of Asia, and
| have no doubt she will do it again, further
on, as means OF antagonlzlng England in
Asiatic- Turkey"
"Did you see, in your long residence in
Turkey, no escape for that country from its
pending PARTITION?
mo; everything was in the dry rot. The
people themselves were resigned to their fate.
The Turks would say, Our empire in Europe
is doomed, but it will survive our own gener-
alton. We need not make ourselves miser-
able Dolce far niente, happy repose, Is the
life of the Turk. He takes little pleasure in
the nervous agitations and energies of the
rest of Europe. To smoke and rest, to lie
down and enjoy genial, listless existence, are
Turkish ideas. Both the people and the gov
eminent are de-energized. To come back to
Constantinople is the Turk S great passion.
''Still there must be politics in Turkey"
''There is, chiefly religious kind of politics
connected with the faith There is a young
Turkish party, led, when | was there, by Mi
Diet Pasha, in favor of reforms. But outside
of the large cities the Turks are densely igno-
rant, and the newspapers do not get into the
provinces | often talked to the former sui
tan, Abdul ASST, on the necessity of reorgan-
izing his government, especially in the matter
of taxation. You must tax the rich, | said
to him You only tax the poor. He seemed
interested but delayed and meditated until
the storm from Russia burst upon him and
he was lost"
"You speak, Mr.. Boxer, of the rich. Are
there rich people in Turkey?'
Eyes, MANY of them. Some derived their
wealth through holding political office.
Others inherited wealth and lands. The
poor-the tillers of the soil. are so much
oppressed by the tax collectors that agricul
tuIe. almost the sole avocation of the poor,
barely supplies existence. In Russia and
Greece the same kind of oppression prevails. "
''What benefit does Greece get from the
Russo Turkish WARP;
"Greece, believe, by the new treaty has
an extension of territory. She requires it, as
her arabic contents are not enough. She,
too, has been deluded by England with false
hopes. In Greece a good deal of the rellg-
ious bigotry prevails that Is current IN Russia.
In Turkey, away from the centers of inteli-
dreadfully oppressed. The Russians, if con-
scientious in the causes they proclaimed for
the war-relief for Turkish christians-have
been successful Their political objects may
have been defeated or postponed"
as it entirely reasonable for the Russians
to demand an outlet on the Mediterranean ?"
''Yes. Their great rivers which drain their
best regions, and their bast navigable seas,
discharge into the Mediterranean. | lived in
both Constantinople and st. Petersburg. Con-
stantlnople is decidedly preferable. 1t has
natural drainage, a soft climate and mag
nifcent harbor. ST. Petersburg, built in the
swamps, is mlasmatic, and, to me, was a
horrid climate
"But, Mr.. Boxer, is it not possible that a
hardy people like the Russians might lose
their vigor of character, like the Turks, if
they were to place their capital on the Bos
porus?
''WelI the Romans broke their empire to
pieces by establishing themselves at Constan-
tinople Asiatic seductions and the genius of
oppression, resident about the straits, have
heretofore prevailed over Roman, Greek and
Turk, vet / should think nature intended
Constantinople to be one of the greatest cities
of the world.
''Have the English much f,othold in Con-
stantnople?'
"They had very large colony. By press
ing upon Turkey the British system of free
trade they have absolutely ruined the coun-
try. Not tool is made in Turkey; hardly a
horseshoe by the native Turks. English and
other foreign mechanics do all the mending.
Years ago England began to press that policy
upon Turkey, and the Turks have now laid
down. Their mechanical spirit is dead
'Mr Boxer, 1t is inexplicable to Ameri-
cans that there should be party In Turkey
favorable to Russian instead OF an English
protectorate.
"WelI, there has been for some time party
in Turkey-Midhat Pasha was Its most con-
spicuous spirit-taking the ground that Turk
ish interests required peace with their nearest
neighbors. Russia, they argued, is here be-
side us; England is far off. Let US see what
community of interests we have. When l
lived in Constantinople it was entertaining to
see how Ignatietf, the Russian minister, rivaled
Sir Henry Elliott, the English minister Each
intrigued, with all his might, to get the adj
vantage. Each, 1t was supposed, had a cor
ruption fund"
GU say the sultan listened to your sug-
gestions of reform?''
HE did, with spasmodic interest; but the
Turks say, God wills it, and DO nothing
You see that the sultan is the caliph, the
prophet of the church, its Mohammed over
all the Faithful between Morocco and Persia.
The Turks think that this holy parsonage
ought not to degrade himself with business
Accordingly, he intrusts the details of the
State to his vizier, generally crafty fellow
at whom all the opposition is directed from
courtiers, military chiefs, wives, lobbyists,
etc. The vizier is very insecure in his office
At one DerIOd IF | remember cOrrectIV. there