The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-09-21
THE OLD SAYING ILLusTRATED
IN THE SITUATION REGARD
.a,s4 /, ING TURKEY. ~-
= n y. II
AFRAID TO FACE THE PROBA-
BILITY OF A GENERL EURO
.4s-s PEANH VAR.
BUT THE STORM is GATHERING.
Suggestion That Russia BE Given
Constantinopfe for Her Sup
port in the Affair.

LONDON, Sept. 2O.-The events of
the latter part of the week have dem
onstrated beyond any possibility of
doubt that unless Great Britain is pre-
pared to face a general European war,
nothing is left for her to do but, as
stated in the semi-official communi-
cation from the foreign office on
Thursday evening, stand aside and
hope for more satisfactory state of
affairs.
This backdown upon the part of
Great Britain is due to the fact that
the cabinets of the continental powers
have concluded that it is more prudent
to condone the recent massacres at
Constantinople than to raise the East
ern question in the most forcible man
ner. and as the Marquis of Salisbury
recognizes, it is strength and not senti-
ment which rules the world. Great
Britain cannot face the combined fleets
of Russia, France, Germany and Aus
tria, even with assistance of Italy
Therefore Great Britain must stand
aside, and unless Russia prevents it,
the Turk will have a free hand in the
settlement of the Armenian difficulty
by the sword and torch, or by any
other means which the porte may
think fit to adopt.
In view of this condition of affairs
the Marquis of Salisbury and the Con-
servative press have changed front
and are now busily engaged in cold
douching the public crusade which
they themselves started in vain hope
of awakening similar agitation on the
continent.
Consequently all attention is now
centered on the visit of the czar to the
queen at Balmoral, and the news
papers are full of suggestions as to
how to influence him.
incidentally, it is suggested in sever
al influential quarters that the shortest
way to settle the whole matter would
be to offer ConStantinople to the car
1t is pointed out that if the Russian
people are once convinced that Great
Britain is ready to allow them to take
ConStantdnOple rather than to permit
the Ottoman rule to continue, they will
put pressure upon the car which will
be irresistible, for the possession of
ConstantinOp1e will realize the dream
of ages in bringing Russia direct to
the water edge of the Mediterranean
to all intents and purposes. This
change OF front upon the part of Great
Britain is a confession Of her weakness
in Europe as compared with only about
twenty years ago, when the British
fleet forced the passage Of the Dardan-
elles and halted the triumphant Rus
sian army of about 100000 men, which
was then in sight Of Constantinople.
The treaty of San Stefano then fol-
, lowed and the Russians retired, after
having lost about 100000 men, and
expended $500, 0o0, 600 or more in the
campaign. nl '5es
Such an arrangement, it is believed.
is not likely to meet with the opposi-
ton Of the powers, as France is Rus
sia's ally, Germany has no interest ia
the matter, and Austria can be quoted
by giving her another province or two.
On the other hand, there is a belief
in British official circles that before
complete accord with Russia is posi-
Bile, the Marquis of Salisbury will have
to sacrifice the Anglo-Turkish conven-
ton Of 1878, which he himself con-
cluded with the avowed object of pro-
tecting Sultan Abdul Hamid against
Russia
In the meanwhile the storm is gath
ertng and may break at any moment.
special cabinet meeting was held at
Rome yesterday, and the italian flying
squadron under Vice Admiral Cane
varo was Immediately dispatched to
the Levant The British fleet is an
choreO OF the island OF LxemnOs, fmfne-
diateiy. opposite the passage leading:
to the Dardanelles, the Russian squad
ron IS in readiness in the Black Sea.
the French squadron is approaching
the Dardanelles. and four German
ships on their way home with 2OG0
sailors and marines have been ordered
to remain in the vicinity of the Darda-
nelles until further orders
Inc present tension cannot last
There is no doubt that many Liberals
are booming the Armenian agitation
for political. ends. and1not few earn
estiy desire the, return of Mr. Glad
stone to public life. Conseouentlv his
speech ON the Armenian question. to
be delivered before the Reform club of
Liverpool, soon, is awaited with the
greatest interest. If it justifies the
confidence of those desiring to rein
sldte Mr. diadstone, strong pressure to
accomplish the scheme may be ex-
pected.