, 1880-06-20

forms can be executed except by the
united action of Europe, and that the first
! point, therefore, Of the Liberal program
should be to bring the united action OF E'.
| rope to bear upon the Pashas.-a point, by
the way, which has already been partially
made by the assembling Of the Berlin Con
ference now in session.
Europe, once united, will have to substt-
tute strong government for weak one.
As Mr.. Parks says: "They have to contend
with two despotisms,- the weak dcs-
potism of the palace and the Pashas, which
misgoverns the country; the other, the more
powerful despotism exercised by the Moslem
| population, wherever it exists, against
| the Christian population. They have
| to provide security for life and prop
! erty, to provide a police which shall
not be In league with the thieves,
and law courts which shall administer JUS
tice. They will nave to do something to set
In order the finances of the country, and to
prevent huge portion of the revenues being
swallowed up III the bottonlless pit OF palace
extravaganza" These problems can bo
solved upon the basis Of the Berlin Treaty.
The first duty will be to compel the Porte to
carry out the twenty-third article. This pro-
yidcs for the introduction OF Constitutions
analogous to that established in Crete in 1868,
which is adapted to local wants, throughout
the whole of European Turkey, with the ex-
ception Of Eastern Roumelia, where a sepa-
rate Constitution is provided, which Constl-
tutions are to be framed by special
commissions largely made up Of natives
acquainted with the wants OF their prov
inces. And in this connection it is suR-
gested that the Porte shall be compelled to
grant local sclf-government to Macedonia
and Thrace- Second, 1t is asserted that the
sixty-frst article OF the treaty, which binds
the Porte to realize without further delay
the reforms and aue]iorations needed In the
Armenian provinces and to guarantee the
security OF the people against the Ci1cas-
SLAMS and Knrds, must be carried out The
Turks have neglected every provision Of
this article. The ravages Of these warlike
tribes have increased. RobLeries, murders,
violations Of girls. and forcing into slavery
are continually practiced. Not one step has
been taken to relieve the mtseries Of the
people, To obtain security for them, 1t IS
proposed to establish q gendarmerie, Of
ticered by Europeans, like the Irish Con-
stabulary force or the Indian police.
This gendarmere, Mr. Parks claims, should
have control not only Of Armenia,
but Of all of Asia Minor, which is
in as wretched condition as Armenia.
Side by side with the establishment OF the
gendarmerie he urges reform Of the tribu-
nails, 50 that Christians can obtain justice,
by appointing European officers. Mr.. Parks
says: "In Turkey the people see one set OF
courts belonging to the Government under
which they live, which they believe to be
impure, and another set belonging to the
foreigners living In their midst, which they
believe to be pure. Give these people native
inspectors Of law courts and they would not
believe in any beneficial change; give them
foreign inspectors and they would antici-
pate change for the better." The last
proposition made by Mr.. Parks is, that, as the
financial condition Of Turkey Is the chief
cause of its troubles, this should be i'm
proved by the appointment OF COM
mission of experts named by Russia, AUS
tria, and Germany, with power to examine
the claims Of Turkish bondholders, and I" to |
propose the best means for satisfying their !
just claims conformably with the financial |
interests of the country" 1lr. Parks also |
dwells at some length upon the necessity Of |
the Turkish Government, (which |
now consists OF sixteen or seventeen 1mperia
within the great 1mperium called the Turk
ish Empire"
The above constitute the principal features |
OF the reforms suggested by Mr. Parks. That |
they are admirable in their way and would
bring about temporary order aud security is
unquestIonable, but In the light OF past ex-
pcrience they can hardly be regarded except |
as makeshifts- They do not 60 to the root OF
the trouble, and the only reform which will
60 to the root and remove 1t Is to reform the
Turks out Of Europe altogether, and give
menians, Albanians, and other races who
have sympathies and affiliations with Europe.
Mr.. Parks himself says, in commencing his
article: "History will record of them fthe
rurksl that, while they have held absolute
sway, they have not contributed either to
he country or to the world single
acquisition Of value Nothing In art,
IT science, or literature, or industry,
,r commerce, has been taught by them
o the world. Not road, or great
public building, or any material work Of
Importance will be left to show that they
we're in Europe for four centuries and half.
The Turkish population has given no sign
whatever that 1t possesses the capability OF
advancement In civilization, while the Chris
ian populations have givenmany such signs"
It's only trifl1ng with the Eastern question and
imply deferrinS trouble to talk about intro
luctng any reforms and perpetuatlng them,
IT in any way ameliorating the condition
# the Christians, until the Turks are re-
moved. Then the field Is open.
ASTRONOMICAL
Chicago TR1BrSE o1lice), north latitude II deg. |
2m. 51s.; west longitude, Am. les. from Wash
ngton, and 5h. 50an- 30s. from Grcenw1ch.
The alhtaiucd tatlo shoHs the tma OF xis. |