New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-07
A VICTIM OF BAD POLICIES.

The present state of the Turkish Empire is
due very largely TO the bad policies Of the
Great Powers which have for half a century
moro or less controlled il. There have been
some good policies. The treaty OF Unklar
Skelessi. negotiated by Russia. was one. IL
would have placed all the Christian inhabitants
of Turkey under Russian protection But Eng
land was Jealous of Russia's growing power ana
so Joined with France in compelling that treaty
TO be dropped Even after that the RUSSIAN
Emperor made wise proposal TO England ior
the settlement of the Turkish problem, but i
was rejected Nine. Nofkoff, than whom there
is no better authority on such topics. tells What
its proposals were;
First-Jf England thinks OF establishing her.
self AT ConstantinOple. | viii no. allow IL
Second-I am equally disposed 70 take the en-
gagement not to establish myself there as pro-
prietor. ?, ,,oh.
Third-As occupier l do not say. 1t might
happen that circumstances might Piacc hie u
the nosition of occupying Constantinople
Fourth-The principalities Rumania) are, IN
fact. an independent state uhoer my PlO'eO''Oi''
This might so continue
Fifth-Servia might receive the same form OF
government . ,,,. rAoro saaros
70 be no reason why this province shouio ho'
form an independent state
ceventh-If in the event OF distribution OF
the Ottoman succession. upon the fall or the
shall have no objection 10 offer ,.o
Eighth would say the same OF Cahula.
That island might suit you. ana 90 ho' hno"
wby il should not become an English possession
Such were Nicholas Is plans. England re-
iected them and fought the Crimeaa war. with
all its indescribable horrors ana losses Anu
now the British Prime Minister confesses tna'
Nicholas was right and England wrong
Emperor Nicholas l made proposals which l
ma de
gladly accented The parting OF the ways was
in 1853 when the Emperor Nicholas pro posts
were rejected. Many members Oh tn,s -,
will keenly feel the nature OF the nlslahe .n"'
was made when l say that We put our money
upon the wrong horse.
Nine. Novikon adds:
England has practically possessed herself OF
Egypt and Cyprus: Rumania and serVla nave
become independent Kingdoms; Bulgaria Is d
virtually independent prlnclpah'Hi 'iee.e 10.
been aggrandzed. has Montenegro Aus,i,"
has occupied Bosnia and the Herzegovina Wnle
nothing but some frontier trimmings nave falIeh
TO the lot of Russia.
No wonder Russia now insists on taxing inc
dominant part in the further disposition OF Inc
Turkish Empire
THE HI~FATED CONSTITUTION.
Another fatal and criminal bit of bad pohcy
occurred in connection with the Constitution OF
1871 II was just before the last disastrous war
with Russia, and when Abdul Hamid ii had
been on the throne only few months. ABDUL
Aziz and Murad had successfully been deposed
There was war with Servia. All Europe was
ringing with the story OF the Bulgarian atroci-
ties Lord Salisbury for England and General
Ignatieff for Russia were in Constantinopie
discussing ways and means for reforming the
Empire and keeping the peace Of Europe. Evi-
IDENTIFY the Sick Man was in perilous plight
ANY day Salisbury and Ignsteff might agree
upon some demands with which IT would he
exceedingly nconvenent for the Porte TO comply
and which 1t would perhaps be dangerous 10 re-
fuse. At that juncture Mdhat Pacha, who
WA then Grand yizier. conceived and sssH"f.h