The Irish standard., 1900-05-19


in Europe. He could only pay in terri
tory, as cash he had none. The terri
torial demands OF Greece were still I'M
satisfied and the Russian war indemnity
yet unpaid.
So long as the concert of the powers
existed the Ottoman empire was doom
ed. This was Abdul Hands situation
in 1880 and 1881.
The English and French rivalry for
possession OF Egypt gave Abdul Hamid
the coveted opportunity for breaking the
concert OF the powers. The powers had
united in pressing the demand for the
completion of the Berlin treaty with ref
erence to the territorial claims OF
Greece. The Grecian government was
clamoring for settlement and was act
lively preparing for war; Gladstone had
succeeded Beaconsfeld and was ell
couraging Greece. Austria was sus-
pected of designs in Salonico bay.
Gladstone, reversing the policy of Bea-
consfeld, sided with Russia.
The sultan saw in the situation an
opportunity of dividing the powers. He
appealed to France, reminding the re-
public of its interests in Tripoli and
Tunis, to which England was hostile
and Germany and Austria friendly.
England and France were at once EN-
broiled in a quarrel over northern Afri-
ca, Russia siding with England.
The powers were pitted against each
other and the European concert broken.
The sultan fortified the Dardanelles,
called the redefs to their colors, and
made brave show of preparing for war
His tactics partly succeeded, for, al
though in the end he was compelled to
give in to the demands of Greece, he
only gave part OF the territory origin
ally demanded.
In 1886 the powers again came to-
gether to consider the Bulgarian ques-
ton after the revolution which finally
ended i'll Prince Alexander's resigna-
ton. Russia and Austria, working to-
gether, demanded the restoration Of
Alexander, who was entirely under Rus
sian influence. Germany and Italy took
the same position. The sultan appealed
to England, asserting that Russia was
intriguing to secure permanent control
of Bulgaria from which to menace Tur-
key with another advance on Constan-
tinopel.
The sultan's appeal to England was
not misplaced, for Gladstone had been
succeeded by Lord Salisbury who re-
garded Russia as England's natural foe,
As result England refused to recognize
the treaty of Berlin as binding The
European concert was broken, Russia
was compelled to consent to the cleo
ton of Prince Ferdinand as ruler Of
Bulgaria, and that province was kept
under the suzerainty OF Turkey, Rus
sian influence for the time being de-
stroycd.
The United States first experience
with Turkey came during President
Clcvcland's administration. after the
Armenian massacrcs OF 10000. The
United States and Great Britain. both
presented demands for indemnity and
the pressure Of the twy governments
became acute. The sultan adopted the
rusc OF calling upon a conference OF the
powers to adjust the claims, knowing
that the policy of the United States pre-
cluded the participation OF this govern
ment.
The result justified the sultan's state
craft. The powers joined in appointing
commission OF inquiry, to which Presi-
dent Cleveland, following traditional
American policy, held aloof President
Cleveland, however, did direct Ameri-
can Consul General Jewell to accom-
pany the commission and make report
to the United States government from
the evidence gathered by the delegates
OF the powers. The sultan refused Con-
sui General JEWELS permission to make
such report. Great Britain was COM
PEELED to act jointly with the powers
AS result British claims for indemnity
have been involved with mass of gen
United States were lost sight Of.
In 1906 the powers again joined in a
cral claims and the demands of the
concerted effort to compel the sultan to
consent to reforms in the administration
of Armenia. Great Britain favored a
naval demonstration and sent fleet to
the entrance of the Dardanelles. The
sultan promptly appealed TO Russia, as
serting that England contemplated the
seizure Of territory in Asia Minor
Russia and France, both interested in
Asia Minor, naturally refused to in
dorsc policy OF force and the European
concert was again broken.
In 1896 Great Britain threatened the
sultan with the occupation Of CONSTANT
noplc until the reforms in Armenia were
put in operation. The sultan replied to
the threat by asking the car to appoint
officers to inspect and to strengthen the
Notifications of the Dardanclles and Civ
ing the Russian fleet permission to pass
through the Bosphorus. Great Britain
was again baked.
Just at present Turkey is unquestion-
ably under Russian influence, and it is
believed that if the United States pushes
its demands to the extent of making a