The sun., 1889-11-08
The German. Emperor at oonstantlnople.


The visit or the man, who from some points
OF view nay be deemed the successor OF the
western CEsARs, to the ruler Of the whilom
capitel of the Eastern Roman Empire Is an
anchhent of interest to tho student of history,
and 1t may also prove to have an important
peSring on the political future Of south
eR,torn Europe.
Some striking historical analogies may
well have impressed themselves on the mind
Qf the young German Kaiser as he rode
Through the streets OF tho city Of Con-
GTANTIEE. he may have remembered that
0t one time-so close were the relations be-
tween the two representatives OF Roman
order In an age Of turmoil and confusion-a
marriage was contemplated between
OHARLEMAaNE, the first German to call him
0elf an Emperor and IRENE, Empress of the
East. Even moro analogous to the present
@ospitable reception of German sovereign
Nv the heir Of the Abbassid caliphs was the
embassy despatched with tokens OF friend
chip to CHARLEMAGNE by HARoUN AL RAs-
oHD. Another event to which the Sultan's
Visitor might naturally revert was the
oumptuous entertainment of GODFREY of
8ouillon and other German leaders of the first
crusade by ALEXIS CoMNENUs at Constanti-
nople. Neither would WILLIAM H., who has
been at 90 much pains to gain the good will
u the Italians, be at all likely to forget that
1early seven centuries ago prince OF Ger
man descent, BALDWIN OF Flanders, seized,
With the aid Of the Venetians, the sceptre of
Tho eastern CEsARs and was crowned mon
Arch Of the byzantine empire. 1t is not 80
Iong ago, indeed, since the Turkish conquer
6rs OF Constantinople had more to fear from
German upholders OF Latin Christianity
Nhan from Russian converts OF the Greek
Church. Had the triumphs OF Prince EU-
GENE in the first half of the last century
bean pushed to their possible results, the
HAPsBURGs would to-day be nearer than
che RoMANoFFs to controlling the Bosporus
Whatever traditional distrust OF Austrian
antentions may linger In the Turkish mind
Is now faint, indeed. compared with the
mortal dread of Russia. while in the German
Emperor the Ottoman Caliph must needs
recognize friend. 1t was at Berlin thatthe
latter was rescued from the ruinous terms
Of peace imposed OH him at San Stefano, and
1t was through the moral interposition OF
Germany that the most southern Russian
outpost still remains north Of the Danube
1t was through tho diplomatic influence Of
the Berlin and Vienna Governments that
AEExANDER Of Battenberg was gradually
weansd from his dependence on the Gar,
and that the annexation of Eastern
Roumelia to Bulgaria, instead Of being a
grievous detriment to Turkey has been
transformed into benefit. The doubled
principality now stands like q massive
bulwark between the northern agSreesor
and Constantinople, aud the present ruler,
FERDINAND Of Coburg. has no more earnest
well-wisher than the Sultan. 1t is patent
that tine interest Of ABDUL HAMED would
prompt him to join Austria In defending
FERDIGAND against Russian attack and we
may be tolerablY certain that such con-
tingency was not lost sight OF In his COL
loQuieS with his imperial guest. It Is not,
Indeed, necessary or expedient that the
Sultan should avowedly connect himself
with the triple alliance. 1t 10 merely need
ful that he should by an understanding with
the German Kaiser agree to consider Rus
sian movement against Bulgaria as a blow
aimed Indirectly at the Ottoman empire.
1t Is not the first time that Moslem
power has been called IN to redress the bal
ance OF Christian States. Nor will any one
who remembers the last Russo Turkish war
underrate the weight which ABDUL HAMED |
might throw into the scale in the event of a |
contest between Austria and Russia. For |
months at Plevna the Turks held at bay the |
whole military power of ALEXANDER H., |
substantially assisted as he was by the Rou- |
manians. Who can doubt that the Gear |
would have been deplorably beaten in that
conflict had the strength OF the HAPs-
BURGs been arraycd on the Turkish side
Al all events, the Russians, once plunged
into war with both Austria and Turkey,
would have no troops available for demon.
strations on their German frontier. Then
would como the opportunity. which BIS
MARcK has long waited for. of definitely set-
ting the quarrel of Germany with France.