The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-07-14
Correspondence of the N. Y. Evangelist.
The Sick Man" Slowly Dying.
Turkey Almost in the Article of Death
LONDON, June II, 1880.

LONDON, June II, 1880
Dear ErGngehst-The affairs of Turkey
seem to be rapidly approaching crisis. Dit
ncutles the most grave are eliminating on every
hane. Greece and Montenegro are demanding
the fulhlment of the terms of the Berlin Treaty.
guaranteeing to both of them enlarged TERRITORY
Christians and Mussulmans alike are calling for
the reforms promised in Armenia Crete is ready
to rise in rebellion if changes in its administra-
ton are not made; in certain provinces of
Arabia the same demand and the same threats
are made and In many cases all over the Otto
man Empire, Christians and others are oppressed
and slaughtered ad Hbitlm
An Official View of Turkish Affairs.
| Yesterday was laid before the British Parla-
ment recent dispatches concerning Turkey of
very great moment. The instructions OF Lord
Granville, the Foreign Secretary to Mr.. Gosch-
en-, England's Special Ambassador to Turkey
are gwen at length also the identical note"
OF the Great Powers, enjoining upon Turkey
the fulflment of her Berlin promises and also
the letters of the late and present British Min.
lister to Constantinople.
The actual internal condition of the Turkish
Empire is set forth fully in Sir Henry Lavard's
dispatch of April 9th, sent to Lord Granville
soon after Mr. Gladstones Ministry assumed
othce. Coming, Therefore, from the Minister to
Turkey under Lord Beaconsield's administra-
ton, Its statements must be credited After nv
reading of these documents, and being also
familiar with the correspondence of the news
| paper referred to- can easily understand what
a London daily of this morning saws. in these
words: The retiring Ambassador to Turkey
draws picture OF the condition of that empire
more gloomy and hopeless than anv we have
received from our correspondents - To quote
Mr.. Layard's words: Never perhaps was this
empire in so disorganized and critical state.
everywhere are misgovernment corruption in
competency of the Turkish functionaries every
where Mussulmans and Christians suffer alike"
ii these ofhclal statements needed any support
1t is at hand Another observer saws: In -Svr
la, as well as elsewhere, discomfort is coming
to head Hatred of the rule of the Porte Is
actually uniting Mussumans and Christians "
Mr. Wilfrid Blunt says it may be impossible
to subdue rebellion which has already begun
IN Arabia In Albania there is a demand for
something more than home rule" The Turk
lsh Ministers have recourse to every possible
deception and pretext for delay. The Sultan
promised to introduce reforms into Asia Minor.
Not one OF these has been put into execution
When the Minister of Lord Beaconsfeld can
say these things, the value of that boast made
upon the late Premiers return from Berlin
" bringing peace with honor can be easily esti
mated. If 1t be said " that the Sultan has no
money to make reforms" the answer given is
lie has money enough to buy diamonds for
the harem. Nor does the want of money
prevent him from heaping deliberate insults
upon Engllshmen who were to aid in the intro
ductlon OF reforms" Sir Henry Layard makes
thls direct statement: There is little or no
protection for life and property in Macedonia
Eplrus, and Thessaly. Brigandage is rife, the
Christians are lll-treated and oppressed with
impunlty, and the state of these provinces is
bordering on anarchy"
Is There Any Remedy?
People of all classes and parties here in Eng
ianc are coming more and more to believe that
the unspeakable Turk" as Carlyle calls him,
is impossible" 1t is seriously believed, even by
many Liberals In English politics, that Mr.
Goschens mission to Constantinople and the
Berlin Conference which opened its sessions yes
terday' VIII effect nothing. If the Berlin Con-
gress which met two years ago, composed of such
men as Princes Bismarck and Gortschakoff Lords
Beaconsheld and Salisbury and others of the
hrst statesmen from all the Great Powers, finds
that the Sultan after this long DELAY. has not
put one of his promised reforms into execution"
how can the Berlin Conference which met yes
terday made up of smaller men, hope to effect
their execution? Mr. Layard says he has tried
expostulatlon with the Sultan, and even men
aces and he advises the English Government
lWhIch he now no longer represents in Turkey
IN thls wise: II we are IN earnest in wishing
70 save turkey, and reform its administration so
that Its people may be Justly governed, we must
De prepared to go farther than mere menaces"
what does this mean but the bag and baggage"
policy of Mr.. Gladstone announced long ago
that is, the drying up of the Euphrates,T or
the drlVlng OF the Turk out of Europe?
1t would probably be an easy thing to bring
the European Powers to administer upon the
lew remaining effects-a rather sad "invento-
ry they would make-of the sick man of Eu-
rope" provided they could agree upon his sue
cessor who should occupy the place of chief au-
thority RussiA covets Constantinople; but no
other power is willing that she should take pos
session. England Tor the present Government)
would not be unwilling perhaps to make it the
capital of Greek Empire but this would meet
with much opposition. Whatever may be the
ultimate solution of the Eastern Question"
one thing seems more probable day by day, that
the Ottoman rule in Europe is nearing its end.
The empire would speedily fall to pieces were it
not upheld by the delicate interviewer web of
European interests" The Sultan knows this
he knows that he is a necessity" to Europe;
and therefore, while Berlin Conferences NAV
make further demands he feels safe in promising
reforms" with no idea Of performing them.