New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-16
THE SULTAN'S TRIUMPH.
HE BIDS THE POWERS AWAIT HIS
PLEASURE.
HOW THE THREE EMPERoRs HAVE sTRENoTB-
ENED THE HOLD OF THE TURK on EURoPD
-ENGLIsH SYMPATHY FOR GREECE IS
DRYING UP-GERMANY AND THE
GREEK DEBr-A BLOW At
FREE SPEECH IN PRUs-
STA JUBILEE
lBY CABLE TO THE TRIsuNE.l

lBY CABLE TO THE TRieuNE]
London. May 1j.-American affairs have ~
mained In the background this week. The ~
duction OF the bank rate to 2 per cent IL practi-
cal proof that large gold exports are expected
from America before many weeks. The position
OF the bank Is not nearly so strong az II was
last September, when the first change was or
dered In the rate In consequence Of the export
OF gold from England TO America. The gold re-
serve and the deposits are now considerably
less than they were then, yet the rate has been
lowered in the face Of constant demand from
Japan and Austria The explanation lies in the
fact that the outflow OF gold to America has
ceased and the tendency is In the opposite d.
recton. with the recent large exports OF wool
and other merchandise from Europe not yet
paid for
The second edition OF the tariff has not been
discussed by the English press Probably silence
is maintained on the subject because It is gen.
orally assumed that third compromise tariff
will be finally adopted Ex-Secretary Foster 10
expected before long in London. where he will
be introduced to the Foreign Office Lord Sails
bury has declined to alter the existing modus
vivendi in Behring Sea and has based his refusal
on British expert testimony Mr.. Foster will be
courteously received and allowed to explain tho
what is virtually question Of natural history
relating to the seal herd. 1t is not probable
that he will remain here long or that anything
can be done at present TO induce the British
Foreign Office to reopen the question OF fisheries
regulation until the term fixed for the existing
arrangement expires. Mr.. Foster will make Q
short visit in London, and then push on to st.
Petersburg. where the chances for securing In.
ternational action are much brighter.
The revival OF the Cuban question in Washing.
tor passes In the main without observation in
England. There are. however. some references
to it in the provincial press as political
man9uvre OH the part Of the Mckinley Admin
istration and a belated outbreak OF American
jingoism. Republican Administration identi.
fled with the revision of the tariff on protection
ist lines is not likely get much credit here for
energetic action In defence OF the rights of Ameri-
can citizens in Cuba or anywhere else. AS for the
Cuban cause. there has rever been any real SYM
pathy here with the misgoverned population OF
the island THE Times Is the only Journal
which has published special correspondence from
Cuba, and while that has been clear and convinc-
ing respecting political and economic conditions
the facts have not left deep impression on the
public mind. England is indifferent TO the mis-
fortunes Of her own West Indian sugar Islands.
and takes no interest in the fate Of Cuba In.
deed. recent events have tended TO develop
spirit of cyncism respecting victims OF oppres-
sion, wherever they may be, and to convince
pessimists that sympathy with weak nations 10
misplaced, and that enthusiasts and zealots are
dangerous enemies to civilization.
"The Chronicle" takes up its Greek parable
arew In every fresh issue bet Sir William Har.
court and Lord Kimberley without doubt are
Convinced that they were rash n following its
leadership, although Mr.. Gladstone was with 1t.
The hundred members Of Parliament who united
in signing an address Of sympathy to the King OF
Greece now suspect that they were drawn too
easily by Mr. Massingham, and that they made
fools Of themselves. The defenders and apollo
eists Of the Salisbury Government. while they
have small cause for satisfaction in the recent
conduct Of British diplomacy. find it easy and
convenient to rail at the English zealots and
faddists who have encouraged Greece to plunge
recklessly into a war for which she was wholly
unprepared That is charge which 1t is difn-
cult for the indiscreet and oyerzealous English
friends of Greece to answer. There follows the
pessim,stic moral of Old Toryism that whatever
is is right and that sympathy with struggling
nations and weak and oppressed populations IN.
varably does more harm than good
While Greece has finally asked the mediation
OF the Powers in terms which the German EN-.
peror is pleased to consider sufficiently hu-
initiating the Sultan is in the midst OF re-
ligious feast. and cannot allow his pious re-
ioicings to be interrupted by anything %
frivolous and worldly European diplomacy.
Not until the festival OF Bairam is over early
next week will he deign TO consider the offerof
mediation made by the Powers.
The pretext for delay is valid. because ~
ligious seasons are observed with fanatical de-
votion in the Mahometan world. but while they
feast in stamboul Bairam is kept with the sword
in Epirus and Thessaly. Edhem Pasha is mass
ing the Turkish army around Domoko and en-
deavorng 10 cut off the retreat OF the Greeks
upon Thermopylae and Athens and compel the
Crown Prince TO surrender With the Greek
Army demoralzed and on short rations. owing
70 the breakdown OF the commissariat. the
Turks are hoping TO bring the war to close by
a catastrophe similar to that OF Sedan. An
arroistice cannot be expected while Edhem has
a chance OF catching the enemy in trap from
which no escape is possible, nor can the prog
resc NJ peace negotiations be rapid even II the
Creek Army again avails itself Of the only talent
which il has displayed during the farcical cam
naign that Of retreating with precipitats
rush.
Signs are not wanting that the two EmperorS
who are mainly responsible for the Turks mhi-
tary triumph will now find themselves en-
barrassed by his vast increase OF prestige. Inc
Gar and his advisers have been acting on the
theory that Russia must have no petty rivals
when the ottoman Empire breaks up. and con.
seouently have allowed Greece TO be crushed;
but they now perceive that the Sultan. Instead
Of being dependent upon Russian protection. 10
now disposed TO act for himself and may prove
unmanageable when Europe attempts to inter-
vene on behalf OF the Greeks. The downfall OF
the Ottoman Empire has been deferred indeh-
nitely by the revival OF the Turkish military
power. and that is not result over which
Russia can rejoice. especially when the Sultan
has humilitated a royal house closely filled with
the imperial family. and has vanquished race
protesting the orthodox faith Of which he Is the
champion.