The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-02-02
THE SITUATION IN TURKEY.
Important Foreign Question. Delaying Action
on Internal Reforms

LONDON, Feb. 1.-The Times correspond
ent at Constantinople telegraphs as follows:
An influential person. who Is intimately ac-
quainted with the affairs as well as with the
views and Intentions OF the Government gave
me n description OF the situation. He said: I'VE
have two kinds Of difficulties to deal with. In
the first place there are the foreign questions.
The denntive treaty with Russia is almost con-
cluded. but there are still some matters Of de-
tail. the settlement Of which will take n fow
days longer. Outsiders naturally wonder why
we should spend so much time over trnes.
but the delay Ia inevitable. Little mat
ters have been so warmly contested
that neither party ia disposed to YIELD
and rs tho delegates nominay intrusted with
the negotiations cannot take the smallest step
without consulting those behind them. two or
three days arc often spent in obtaining in
structons. We hope next week tho treaty will
bc signed. Then we shall take up the negotia-
tions with Austria which ARE ut present In a
preliminary stuge. They will be dill 'uit to be-
gin, since Austria occupies considerable por-
uon OF tho empire without nny arrangement
having been made with us on the subject. At
the same time we have from Greece demands
which cannot be granted The Grand Nizier
md the majority of the Ministers perceive that
u Is extremely desirable to get rid OF these
foreign questions In order to devote some
attention to Internal REFORMS: but they cam
not act hastily or silently for n large section
OF tne mphnnmedAn population are strongly
opposed to any cession OF territory. Mcnn-
while we are not neglecting Internal affairs.
We nave already begun to grappla with the
financial difficulty. which must be removed be-
lore We can make n single step in advance. A
scheme for renewing payment OF interest on
tho national dent is being prepared and will
shortly be published. We have concluded n
convention according 10 which the customs
will he nut under tho control Of an International
commission, composed Of two English, two
French. and two Turkish members. who will
net independently Of the Ministry Of Finance.
sterling. with which we shall withdraw the
paper currency. The balance will be devoted
10 tho gendarmerie and the law courts.
Midhat Pasha will shortly receive n frman
for the organization and equipment in Syria
Of gendarmerie with foreign Instructors and
officers. A similar corps will be organ zcd here
under the personal direction Of the Grand
Nizier, who IL a General OF cavalry. and has hud
considerable experience in such matters. The
latter viii be- sent rs an experiment to the prov
ince OF knstambul. where Ingiz Said Pnsha. a
very Intelligent man. Is Governor. IL the ex.
pertinent succeeds. the system will be extended
To other provinces. Our resources will soon be
increased. partly by the withdrawal Of the papeT
currency. and partly by the introduction VI q
new method Of collecting the revenue. Europe
must not expect that W. can at once recover our
selves. When n country has been badly gov
erned for n short time. all that is required Is q
give II a good administration hut when malad.
ministration has been continued long enough
to exhaust the national resources. prosperity
cannot be- easily or quickly recovered by mere
administrative changes"