The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1896-10-31
THE SICK MAN OF TURKEY
SITUATION In THE EAST HAS A
GRAVE ASPECT.
Powers Now See That Abdul Is Pre-
pairing for a Struggle Which
Means His Downfall.

patches from ConStant1nople announcing
that the imposition of poll taxes or five
piastres per hean and the levyIng of
other taxes In Uruer 10 arm the Mussul-
mans, has caused the situation there
to assume a grave aspect, and has in
creased the anxiety felt here regard
ing the outcome of the eastern i'm
broglio.
The Speaker in discussing the matter
says:
THE new war tax is a sign that the
sultan means to fight for a possibility
Of carrying out fresh massacres of Chris
tians. which are daily expected. The
sick man, we trust is nearing his death
struggle. There is little doubt in the
public mind that an arrangement for
joint European action exists and at pres
ent it is only resisted by one power"
The Speakers well informed correspon-
dent at Constantinople, however. doubts
the existence Of such an arrangement.
A later dispatch from Constantinople
says that extra precautions were taken
yesterday against fresh Armenian out
break, but no outbreak had occurred at
the time the message was filed.
Sir Henry Elliott, who was British am
bassador to Turkey from 1867 to 1877, and
whose life has been spent in the diplo-
matte service of Great Britain, in an
interesting bill just published, says:
The present state of Turkey greatly
reese mbles what 1t was Immediately before
the deposition of Abdul Aziz, when there
existed, as now, widespread discomfort,
arising from the baneful influence of the
palace
Continuing, Sir Henry Elliott urges
that support be given to the reform par
I,,la ha
asserts. needs a change of administra-
ton, and the sultan is more afraid of
the young Turks than the powers"
Indications generally point to the Egyp-
tial question as being the hinge of the
situation, and there is a renewal Of its
discussion in the British and foreign
press.
Egypt az "a Factor.
The Times mas published letter from
the Rt. Hon. Leonard Courtnay, liberal,
formerly deputy speaker, and now MEM
Der of parliament for the Bodmin division
of Cornwall, suggesting the withdrawal
of the British troops from Egypt, in Or
der to prove the British DISTINGUISHED in
the eastern question, and NJ. de Blowitz,
the Paris correspondent of the Times,
today sends lengthy account of an in
terView with "A prominent politician,
who has twice been a minister, and who
has returned from visits to the capitals
OF Europe"
In this interview the ex-minister is
quoted as saying that he was struck
by the fact that no matter what inter
national question was discussed it al
ways reverted to the situation in Egypt
as the leading factor.
Egypt" he continues. lis the para
mount question, as prolonged peace de-
ponds on the Russian reconciliation,
which is only possible through priol
Anglo-French agreement regarding
Egypt.
English statesmen are now a riddle.
They appear to want to show disdain
for the continental powers. The British
embassy at Paris has been vacant for
the past three months, which In itself is
4 source Of misunderstanding.
mo power wants to replace England
! in Egypt, but it is desired that England,
instead of remaining there against our
will, should remain with our consent"
NJ. Hanotaux. the French minister for
foreign affairs, once said:
But for the Egyptian question l would
undertake in five minutes to settle all
the other Anglo-French questions"
While Decourcel, the French minister
at London. recently remarked:
Il wish Lord Salisbury would agree
10 converse on the. subject but soon
as L attempt it he changes the subject.
This is now the only real cause FOL dis
quiet in Europe"
Sovercigns Coming to London.
1t is announced that all the sOvereigns
, and chiefs of state have been invited
to visit London and attend the fetes
. which are being organized for the cele-
bration Of the Goth anniversary of the
opening Of the queens reign, and it i.
stated Emperor William and the czai
have already accepted invitations.
AS an indication of the scale the fete:
Will be given on, her majesty in declining
to be present at the shoot board function
took the ground that the demands which
" Guild be made upon her tine and power.
ia 1897 would preclude her attendance al
the ceremony referred to.
Lady Pauncefote, wife of the British
ambassador at Washington. and he
daughters. will sail for New York OF
Saturday next.
Walter NJ. Castle has engaged Sir Fran
c,s Lockwood as his counsel for his wife
in addition to Sir Edward Clarke. tn,
former solicitor general.
The Daily Mail. which Is printing
series Of interesting letters from Ameri
ca. devotes several columns this weel
to Chicago, which 1t describes as tn
queen and gutter snipe Of cities; tn
! cynosure and cesspOol of the world; tn
most beautiful and the most squalid
widely and generously planned streets o
20 miles. where it is unsafe to walk a
night; where women ride straddlewise ant
ni,lionaires dine at midday; the chosel
3 F..Hr.