New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-07-25
SHORT WORK WITH TURKEY.

The war rum rs from the East increase in
volume without taking definite shape. Never
were those irregular ambassadors and amateu
diplOmatlsts, the newspaper correspondents ut
the leading capitals, more energetic in anticipat-
ing and revising the policy OF tho European
Cabinets; but as the dispatches of one day are
commonly contradcted the next, the outcome
of weeks guess-work is small. One of the
latest dispatches states that the Greek Govern
ment has decided to place the army on war
footing. That Is to say, the regular force OF
10000 will be recruited from what is known
as the extraordinary reserve, and raised to
5000 men within twenty days, as was done
in July, 1877, and again in February, 1878.
Under the present circumstances this step would
be nearly equivalent to a declaration OF war.
1t is probable that the announcement will prove
to be premature. The Greek Government is
evidently acting under the advice of the Euro
pean Cabinets and so aggressive measure Is
not likely to be taken until the resources of dip
lomacy have been exhausted. Meanwhile, the
news from Constantinople is alternately disquiet-
ing and reassurng. The din of military prep
arations Is followed by the hum of pacific dip
lomacy The Albanian League is ordered to dis
band one day and favored with money grant
the next. The Montenegrin Ambassador was
snubbed yesterday and is petted to-day. That
enemy of Europe, Ghazi Osman, is dismissed
from the War Office only to be retained as
Marshal Of the Palace and confidential adviser
of the Sultan. The State Council no sooner re-
gains its composure sufficiently to face the con-
sequences of resistance TO the will OF the
Powers, than it is thiow into panic by new
Bulgarian intrigue. Such is the mass of
rumors and contradictions to be daily sifted if
one would get at the true situation.
But the sharp edged fact which cannot be
hidden in this budget from the changeful East
is the substantial unity of European action.
The aim of the German Government in sending
number of financiers and officials to Constan-
tnople is to emphasize the demands of Europe.
AS the strongest nation on the Continent, ii well
becomes the Fatherand to have body of eX-
perts and special agents on the ground, so as to
enable the Government to act ntellIgently and
to exert commanding influence in the settle
ment of the Eastern Question. There seem to
be no grounds for apprehension that the pres
sure of these German agents at COnstantinOple
will tend to embarrass the Powers. The Cabi-
nets are In hearty accord. Great Britain no
longer encourages the Porte TO disregard the
wishes of the Continental States. The Western
Powers have been fully committedto policy Of
coercion, and cannot renOunce it without forfeit
ing self-respect; and neither Germany nor
Austro- Hungary, Russia nor Italy, can afford to
stand by and look on while the British and
French ironcads come TO an anchorage of Con-
stantinople. combined naval demonstration
would place the Turkish Capital at the
mercy of Europe. Indeed. our London
correspondent telegIaphs that the Powers
have already come to an agreement
To save Constantinople the Sultan
would sacrifice both Albania and Roumelia,
as well as hand over to the Greeks half a million
Of his subjects and four or five thousand square
miles of territory. Turkey cannot resist the
diplomacy of Europe when the Cabinets are not
only united but in earnest.
But this very powerlessness is a source of
strength. The Cabinets realize that coercion
respecting the Montenegrn and Greek questions
Will hasten the collapse of the Ottoman Empire.
The appearance of fleet of COnstantinople
might leave the Sultan at the mercy of a mob,
with the races OF Southeastern Europe quarrel
ling for the inheritance under conditions in
vOlviDg general European war.