The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-10-29
OUR LONDON CABLE LETTER,
NEWS FROM TURKEY OF LEVY
SF ING TAXES TO ARM MUSsUL-
VA MANS DISCUSSED.
Hinges ON THE EGYPTIAN QUESTION
Anglo Russian Reconciliation Depends
on an Anglo-French Agreement Re
garding Egypt-The Daily Mails
Description of Chicago.

London, Oct. copyrighted, 1896,
by the Associated Press )-Tfe receipts
of dispatches from Constantinople an
nouncing that an imposition of poll taxes
of five piastres per head and the levy
! ing of other taxes in order to arm Mus
sulmans, has caused the situation there
to assume very grave aspect and has
greatly increased the anxiety felt here
regarding the outcome of the eastern
embrogio.
The Speaker, in discussing the matter.
says: The new war tax is Il sign that
the sultan means to fight, possibly after
carrying out the fresh massacres of
Christians 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
present it is only resisted by one power.
The Speakers well informed Constan-
tinople correspondent. however, doubts
the existence of such an arrangement
a later dispatch from Constantnople
says that extra precautions were taken
yesterday against q fresh Armenian out
break, but no outbreak had occurred at
the time the message was filed.
Sir Henry Elliott, who was British
ambassador to Turkey from 1867 to 1887,
and whose life has been spent in the
diplomatic service of Great Britain, in
an interesting letter just published, says:
''The present state of Turkey greatly
resembles what it was Immediately after
the deposition of Abdul Azozis, when
there existed, as now, widespread dis
content arising from the baneful infiu-
ences of the palace"
Continuing, Sir Henry urges that sup
port be given to the reform party in
Turkey, 'as the whole empire" he as
serts, needs a change of administration
and the sultan is more afraid of the
Turks than the powers.''
Indications point to the Egyptian
= question as being the hinge of the stu
Walton and there is renewal of it's dis
cussion in the British and foreign press.
The Times has published letter from
the Right Hon. Leonard II. Courtney,
liberal. formerly speaker and now mem
Der of parliament, suggesting the with
drawal of the British troops from Egypt
ia order to prove Great Britain's disin-
terestedness in the eastern question, and
nj. de BlowitZ, the Paris correspondent
of the Times. today sends a lengthy ac-
count of an interview 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 interna-
tional question was discussed, it always
reverted to the situation in Egypt as the
leading factor.
Egypt" he continued, sis the para
mount question, as prolonged peace de-
pends upon Anglo-Russian reconciliation,
which is only possible through prior
Anglo-French agreement regarding Egypt
English statesmen are now a riddle
They appear to want to show disdain for
bassy at Paris has been invaded for the
past three months, which in itself is a
source of misunderstanding. No power
wants to replace England in Egypt, but it
is desired that England, instead of re-
naming there against our will, should re-
main with our consent.
M. HanotauX, French minister for for
eign affairs, once said to me: But for
the Egyptian question, | would under
take in five minutes to settle the Anglo
French questions
while Baron de Courcel, French minis
ter at London. recently remarked: L
wish that Lord Salisbury would agree to
converse on the question, but so soon as
attempt it he changes the subject
This is now the only real cause for dis
quiet in Europe"
1t is announced that all the sOvereigns
and chiefs of state have been invited to
London to attend the fetes which are be-
ing organized for the celebration of the
sixtieth anniversary Of the opening of
the queens reign, and it is stated that EN-
peror William and the czar have already
accepted invitations. AS an Indication of
the scale upon which the fetes will be Civ