New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-11-24
fBY CABLE TO THE TRrBUNE.l

(CoDuright; 1893. By The Tribune fssocfotton
London Nov. 23-The general belief among
welI-informed men that the dissolution OF tho
Turkish Empire Is impending has been con-
frmed by Lord Sasburys speech at Brighton,
and by the daily dispatches from Constanti-
nople, disclosing the impracticabIlIty OF restor.
ing order in the Sutans dominions. Nothing
more remarkable has occurred in recent his
tory than the reading at the Unionist jolfca-
tion meeting Of the Sutans amazing reply TO
the Prime Minister'S Guildhall speech. This was
the same Abdul Hamid who had defed, thwarted
and duped the European Powers time and
again. playing off against another. and
watching with cynical amusement the finale OF
every diplomatic burlesque, when their Am
bassadors invariably stood before him meekly
asking how much he would condescend to do;
but here he was at last himself suppliant,
promising to mend his ways and pledging
solemnly his sacrtd honor that he would not
break faith with Europe Yet when this once
naughty sovereign had utterly debased himself
in mock humility there was the same Lord
Salisbury who had Joined hands with Lord
Beaconsfeld in protecting him when the Rus
sian Army was at the gates OF Constantinople
seventeen years ago, plainly enjoying the new
situation, and commenting upon 1t with sar-
Gonic humor
There are many anomalies and startling con-
trasts in the present phase Of the Eastern ques-
ton, but nothing is more remarkable than the
present temper Of the English people when
Europe Is apparently on the verge OF the most
momentous catastrophe since the fall OF Con-
stantinople many centuries ago. Wars have
been fought fantastic alliances formed. Sepoy
regiments paraded on the European stage, and
the famous Berlin Congress held for the re-
preme object of English diplomacy for two
generations has been the maintenance OF the
Sultan on his worm-eaten. tottering throne.
Public opinion now clearly discerns the impend-
ing collapse Of this traditional policy. and the
necessity for partition OF Turkey and a
redistribution Of the Sutan's territory In Europe
and Asia Anything more critical and impor-
tant than the present situation. especially to a
country with many millions of Mahometan sub
jects is hardly conceivable; yet London takes
It quietly and grimly; remarks that there VIII
be great lot Of territory to divide, even X
there be room enough for all in Asia. ana
changes the subject to that OF the artistic lines
of Triiby's foot the Haymarket or the con-
viction Of Jabez Bafour. or the exploits or tne
tooth-scraping BARRIERS Of the Strand, or the last
breath of fetid scandal from the Divorce Court
One explanation of the apparent insensipiiity
Of the English public to the momentous changes
hanging over the East is the very magnitude OF
the coming revolution. Several Journals nave
undertaken to recast the map OF the Sultans
dominion and TO allot 10 Russia, England,
Austria Hungary France, Italy and even Ger
many their respective shares in the spoils; but
they invariably pass over in silence the future
Of Constantinople. which Is the most perplexns
factor OF the problem. All such forecasts are
premature and grotesque. Tha future OF ASIA
ard tho Transformation of the relations OF
races and creeds cannot be ordered OUT OF mana
&C easily as Barney Barnato issues a mining
nrospectus or estimates the value of deep Levers
The most imaginative student Of current events
cannot conjecture with any degree of certainty
what will happen If the downfall Of the Sultan
occurs The problem Is too complex 10 admit
avon of n bare statement of its many factors
A European congress alone can settle IT, after
serles Of secret bargains has been made among
the Powers
,ro,her reason for the apathy with which
the extraordinary situation Is regarded III Eng
,ord is the faith in the Queens personal In
.auence upon tho European courts In faVor OF
peace She is known to be taking profound in
,.r.st IN foreign affairs. Sir Philip Currie visit
"a her at windsor before returning TO his post
=, Constantinople Lord Salisbury has been at
tho Castle over night. and an important coun-
oil has been held there. Her experience ana
od,,ics In foreign affairs are valuable. but more
,mnortant still is her influence with the lead
tho n,onarchs of the Continent. many OF whom
are her relations by blood or marriage. In the
futura settlement OF the Eastern Question the
Czar and the German Emperor will have de-
csive voice. and each respects the queens JudS-
ment and will listen to her when unmoNed by
appeals from any other source. AZ the close OF
her long reign she Is a unique figure In Europe.
and can do more than anybody else to Keep the
necce I'm troublous times. Never before In our
t,,nc have Englishmen had equal reason 70,
ioining devoutly well as heartily, In God
Save the Queen"
still another cause for the lack OF public ex-
element when the Turk. as In "Punch's picture.
Is drifting in u canoe toward the edge OF the cata-'
ract Is the confidence in Lord salisbury. re-
mark heard most frequently In the clubs Is,
..Ws don't know what is coming. but our for
epn affairs are In safe hands, Since Bis
marck's retirement Lord Salisbury has occupied
n pre-eminent position In the diplomacy OF the
Continent and the English people have faith
In his sobriety, judgmen, and consummate skill
Certainly his Brighton speech revealed
marvellous power of discerning the forces now
revolutionizing the Ottomln Empire.
When he asserted that the Sultan's DEGREES
cannot take the place OF Governors who know
how to perform their duties and have the cour-
age and integrity to do so and that Turkish
rule has not bred and trained these indispensa-
bic agents Of reform. he reduced the question 10
its simplest terms. The Sultans subjects have
been fred with thirst for blood. and have be-
come unmanageabe. Desperate as he now Is,
and credulous when any fresh tale OF conspiracy
is whispered by n mendaclous favorite. he has
not men at his command capable OF preventing
massacres. putting an end to Anarchy and
ayerting his downfall. The orders sent out
by the Porte To the governors OF provinces
may be stringent. but there Is no power to
enforce them There are the strongest reasons
for believing that the recent massacres exceed
In atrocity any horrors previously known In