, 1880-09-04
THE SITUATION IN TURKEY.
fFrom the Times of 18th July.)

Ing the views OF the great foWeIs as agreeo
upon at the Berlin Conference will be
presented to the Porte. At the same
time we have before us the text OF the
'sIdentic Note" presented on the 18th OF
June. The difference between these two
methods of giving publicity to the concert
OF Europe may appear too delicate and
almost microscopic to be visible to the
eyes Of the Turks, but 1T is one upon
which diplomatists lay much stress An
.sidentic note'' is presented by each Ambas-
sador separatively q "collective note Is
signed by the representatives OF all the
great Powers. The former is evidence OF
an agreement ia principle; the latter Is
understood to signify that the Powers are
prepared and determined to act upon that
agreement. A "Collective note" is thus
the strongest Observation-Disclosures the last
word-of peaceful diplomacy. Europe is
now committed to a conflict of will with
Turkey, and it is impossible to deny that
the position 10 which the Powers are thus
placed is one of much difficulty and perplex'
ity. The Greek question. with which
the Collective Note is exclusively concern
ed, was always a comparatively simple
one in respect of its subject-matter ; the
point in doubt was the degree OF zeal
which the Powers acting together would
be induced to show. Originally brought
forward by M. Washington, the claims OF
Greece have not lately excited any enthuSl-
asm in France, and it is natural, perhaps,
that Frenchmen, with grave preoccupatlons
nearer home. should be unwilling to enter
upon a possibly compromising course OF
action in the East. At the Berlin Confer
ence the objections of some of the Powers
to the adoption of the strong measure OF q
collective note were overcome, and all the
at least-deter-
mined to put 10 force the right of media
ton which they assumed by the treaty OF
1878. The language of the note is imper-
alive. The Powers ''invite" the Turkish
and Greek Governments to accept the
"line' settled at the Berlin Confer
ence. Greece is eager to take possession,
and is making q parade of warIlke spirit
and intentions but it is more than doubt
full whether the little kingdom, if left to
itself, could succeed in establishing its do
minion 10 the territory to be ceded. The
Greek army is small and ill-discipIined,
and even if Turkey did not formally enter
upon q war to resist the proposed c%essiop,
the Greek troops would probably be un-
able to coerce the Albanian Inhabitants OF
those provinces. The question, therefore,
arises how effect 10 to be given to the
wishes of the Powers, IT Greece is unable
to assert her right under the award, and if
Turkey prepares to resist actively or pas,
siyely. There have been suggestions OF
naval demonstrations and of other coercive
plans, but. apart from the possibility that
these may fail unless carried to an extent
which may bring on a collision and sudden
~ reopen the whole Eastern Question,
there. are international iealousies which
interfere with the adoption of any common
measures of intervention.
This is the difficulty of the hour. and it
is beyond controversy a grave one. The
Collective Note Insists that the Porte
shalt carry out what is doubtless repug-
nant to the feelings not of the Sultan
alone, but of all his Mussulman subjects.
1t is hoped that by dextrous diplomatic
management the Government at Constan-
tinople may be brought once more to yield
to the demands of the Powers. But it is
well to understand how and why the con.
trary may happen. We must try to consi-
der the attitude of the Turks from the
Turkish point Of view. The Sultan, a
man clearly Of much force of character, and
gifted with considerable insight, is in effect
oc11a1 n~An taf IL x,hak - 10 oIpnnc& i'm nNs.