Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-09-29
TURKEY AND TIE POWERS

The sudden obstinacy of the Porte, and
It's determined refusal to cede Dulcigno,
must force the Powers to decide how far
they will 60 with the policy Of coercion.
A point has now been reached in the East
err question from which it is difficult to
retreat at all, and impossible to retreat
without producing disastrous results. The
Porte is making its last fight, not alone for
the preservation OF empire, but for the
maintenance of its ascendancy as the
spiritual head of Islam. Its claims in
that connection have been for some time
reluctantly admitted by many Motam-
medan states and peoples, and should the
Sultan fail to sustain himself against
the European coalition his prestige viii be
shattered, and his title to the Calipha.e
will be repudiated. The Porte has long
perceived this danger, and has ever since
the close Of ITS war with Russia been
seeking to influence the followers OF Islam
in all parts of the world. Its agents have
been actively employed in India and Arabia
as well as throughout tbs Ottoman Empire,
and strenuous efforts have been made to
excite holy war Hitherto the responses
made to these appeals have been slow and
hesitating The Mohammedan races have
been watching the struggle between Turkey
and Europe, and they have waited to
see if the former would be a5ie to sustain
its pretensions The efforts of the Sultan's
worst advisers have, however, been so far
effective as to inhame the fanaticism of
the Mos,ems, wherever the population is OF
mixed faiths, and the result is that the
Christians throughout the Ottoman prov
inces are exposed not only to persecution.
but to pressing danger Of massacre. This
is notably the case in Asia Minor, where
for many years the Turks and Armepians
lived peaceably and pleasantly together, but
where the latter are now being cruelty
abused and naltrcated. And this is a main
reason why any Indication OF inirmity
OF purpose on the part of the Powers az
thc present juucture would produce dis
astroos results For retreat on their
part would certainly be construed as
triumph for Islam, and would almost
certainly be the signal for outbreaks aud
massacres of Christians everywhere There
Is no doubt that Russia has repeatedly
awaited herself OF Moslem fanatic.sm to
foInent just such upfisings, and that she
was actively engaged in the preparation
of the Bulgarian massacres which afforded
the excuse she wanted for the last war
upon Turkey. Bat the Powers have
much to lose and nothing to
gain by vacillation now II they
strike hard and quickly the power of
the Porte will be shattered, and the Christ
ians of Turkey will lie reprieved. Ii they
refrain from striking it is probable that the
Ill effects OF their hesitation will before
long compel armed Intervention, but in
thai case the Christians will have been
uselessly sacrificed It is clear that the
Porte must be dealt with firmly. The
Sultan cannot be trusted in anything. He
is the mere creature Of bad advisers, who
seek only to perpetuate conditions which
facilitate the plumber OF the empire
England above ali cannot afford to -enounce
her assumed protectora.e of Asia Minor.
Already she has laid Up against herself
heavy burden of obligations neglected in
that quarter. The present intervention is
her policy, moreover, and she is bound to
carry it to the end, There Is no longer
any middle course. The Sultan must be
BUNDLED, and if necessary crushed. He is
apparently trying TO draw down upon him
self second Navarino, and he should not
be baked. The Powers have put their
hands to the pillow, and they cannot turn
back. It is not possible to avoid sabse-
quent complications, but az present the
Treaty of Berlin must be vindicated. and
if the Sultan chooses war rather than sub-
mission he should have il, short. sharp and
decisive.