The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1901-08-24
The Eastern Question.

After two years experience with the
Far Eastern question, we think IL has
been hoped by right-minded people in
all countries that the Near Eastern
question might be allowed to remain
dormant for time at least. But there
are suggestions in European dispatches
received yesterday evening that the
whole world trouble may be on the eve
of resurrection.
According TO our cable news, the
French Ambassador at Constantinople
has sent an ultimatum to the Sultan,
informing that petentate that unless
he settles the claims and comedies the
demands of France. the Embassy will
be closed and the Ambassador and his
entire staff will leave the country.
There is a suspicious synchronism be-
tween this action and the reported mo-
bilization of Russian troops on the
Turkish frontier. 1t is also stated that
twenty Russian torpedo boats and sew
eral despatch boats have arrived in the
Dniester Delta in support of the move
ment.
Possibly these developments may in
dictate a serious international situation.
The act of NJ Constants. at CONSTANT
nople. in forcing the difficulty between
France and Turkey peremptorily to an
immediate issue, appears dispropor-
toned to the gravity of the difference,
which is not one that ordinarily would
be regarded as a casus belli, or even as
good cause for the rupture of diplo-
matte relations But if there should
happen to pc an understanding between
Paris and ST Petersburg. providing for
joint action against the Ottoman EN-
would be eNplainable.
The massing of the Russian troops
on Abdul Eamids frontier may mean
nothing more than a demonstration,
rendered excrsable If not justifable by
current troubles and the danger OF up
risings in the Balkan peninsula. But.
in this connection. it is well to remem-
Der that Bulgaria has been acting in a
belligerent spirit toward the Porte. and
her representative at Constantinople
has gone almost to the point reached by
the French Ambassador. 1t will not do
at this time to assume too great a de-
gree of danger to the peace of Europe
on the basis of the facts now before us.
But the situation is interesting, if ii be
not alarming Were Russia and
France to attack Turkey. it is certain
that Germany would not be an unin-
terested spectator. except in the event
that the Kaiser had been piacated and
promised satisfactory compensation.
England would be more concerned than
any other Power. and might use her
navy in hostilities. But England has
no LAND force 10 spare. Still. Russo
French war against Turkey would i'm
peril her position in Egypt, and in the
end perhaps bring her face to face with
the danger that already threatens her
whether England would fight or not.
With an ally like Germany she would
without one IL is an open question if
she would dare. Common action by
Austria and Italy would be improbable
They are in anything but harmony over
the ambitions and designs of the for
mer in the Balkans
The key 10 the situation, as usual of
late in European complications, is in
the mailed hand of Emperor Wilhelm.
If he is willing to see Turkey carved by
his neighbors, ii is not unlikely that the
operation viii be performed. Should he
object vigorously. we do not believe
ti;at the Sultan will be driven over the
Bosphorus just yet.