Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-09-16
ENGLAND AND rURKnY.
The English People and Their Foreign
Complications.

Editor Morning Nel0s. Sir Henry Drum
mond Wolf, who has been dispatched by
the British government to Constantinople
with view Of arranging with the Porte
an offensive and defensive alliance with
England against Russia, in the event OF
an Anglo-Russian war in the near future,
has been snubbed by the sultan's Minis.
listers, and is evidently regarded as1ance
as only another In the long list of visitors
from the West who have travelled to STAN
boul to remind the PadishRh again and
again that he has fallen from his high es-
tate.
The history OF the more recent relations
between England and Turkey has been
one OF misconception, irritation, and dis
appointment. Indeed, the relations OF
Turkey with ChrlstendOm generally have
borne this character. But what agra
Yates the sense Of soreness in the case Of
England is the sense that 1t was not al
ways so-that Turkey at one time looked
upon her as a loyal adviser and faithful
ally. Now, what better is England than
the rest of the world--than Russia that
filches Batoum, than France thar pur-
loins Tunis, than Austria that occupies"
Bosnia and the Herzegovina, than Italy
that covets TripOli, and meanwhile plays
the hesltating marauder along the coasts
OF the Red sea? They are all infidels
alike, and England is perhaps the worst
OF all; for has she not annexed Cyprus.
and what is she doing all this time in
Egypt?
This is the state Of mind in which Sir
Henry has found the statesmen OF Con-
stantinople, and he has. accordingly, to
como with "A aanfiptauf pf dilfrusf tho
cumulatiOn Of series Of yeXations and
crosses. In the good old days of Lord
Stratl0rd de Redoitfe, England had only
to ask for anything at ConstRntnople
and IL was granted. But then Tur-
key knew she would receive an
equivalent, and that whatever Eng
land suggested was suggested in
the interest Of England and Turkey alike.
They were partners, England being
the wiser, the stronger, and fe the
richer member Of the alliance. Turkish
soldiers fought side by side with EnglIsh
soldiers, because their interests were
identical Sir Henry will have to explain
how such q very different state OF aiIairs
has now arisen between the two coun-
tries. and ambiguity will DO useless In
dealing with the matter.
Wherever European politics are studied
the general opinion seems 10 be that the
change was caused by one man, whose
permanent retirement will abolish the
only obstacle % return 10 better THINKS
between England and Turkey. This 10
complimentary 20 Mr. aladstone's pre-
emineuce rather than fair. The condition
OF the Liberia party was respOns bic, and
would be 90 again, for many Of the worst
characteristics " the late premier's
policy Be that as 70 may, a repetition Of
recent history is not 70 be feared. H.
when Mr. Gladstone made his solemn
covenant Speech war had broken
out between England and Russia,
Turkey would have kept the
Dardanelles closed against the
former country; and England could
have struck no blow in behalf OF Central
Asia from the Black sea. This fact alone
ought 10 make sentimental politicians
ponder. Lot us hope that, thanks % wiser
counsels, war between Russia aud Eng
land is ayerted. But what has happened
once may happen again. IL 10 for the
English people 20 learn wisdom by the
butter experience Of the past five years.
They have grHtuitously alienated Turkey,
as they have gratultously alienated other
powers, by their impracticable founder
ing IN theoretical depths. II is not TOO late
20 get into safer water, but IL 10 high time
they did 30. g. q.