New-York tribune., 1901-09-04
GERMANY. TURKEY AND SOME OTHERS

UEhMiNls ~ hhEI AMI SOnE VI HEhS.
Turkey has made application to Germany for
aid and comfort In the controversy with France.
which Is natural: and Germany has replied by
advising Turkey TO agree with the Gallic adver-
sary quickly lest worse befall, which is like
wise natural, or at least not unnatural If
now we could hear from Russia on the subject
the comedy would he complete. Whatever
turns out happily is a comedy. and this affair
is bound TO do so, since all things are for the
best in the best world ever yet known TO
Ottoman Teuton or Gaull But while the Mus
covite oracles are dumb it will be entertaining
TO observe the special interest of Germany in
the matter, together with some other complica
tiOns. Teutonic. Slavic and what not
BE il remembered, then, that for a consider
able time past the Teutonic Goblin, and not the
Slavic Short. has been the friend Of the Otto
man Turk. That is because the German Kaiser
has visited Jerusalem, and German expansion
lists have set out 10 exploit the resources OF
Asia Minor. and German capitalists and engi-
neers have begun the construction OF German
railroad from the shore OF the Mediterranean
by way of Bagdad down MesopOtamia 10 the
Persian Gulf. There Is a theme for the reast-
romancer, a Made in Germany" railroad by
Bagdads shrlnes OF fretted gold" and 'adown
the Tigris' 10 the scene Of the Quadrgamous
exploits of What's His Name Of Bussorah. New
ertheess, il is all quite real. and is NJ the
present moment In process Of execution. and
the ways and means by which II becomes pos
slble, though not all told in Gath or published
on the bulletin boards Of Askelon. involve
certain predominance Of German influence at
the Yildiz Kiosk and AT the Sublime Porte such
as makes the Kaiser the next friend OF the
Commander Of the Faithful. Which is why
L nta
to help him out OF his troubles with France.
But the Kaiser. being engaged at the present
moment in requiring another heather TO appear
before him in abject abasement. and being also
stickler for the fulflment Of contracts, and
being. moreover. deslrous of modifying France
for her loss-and Germanys gain-of paramount
reversionary and residuary rights In Syria,
naturally, not to say inevitably. tells the Com
mander that he regrets very much 10 say that
he really cannot interfere. and that on the
whole he thinks II would be best for the Com
mander 10 settle that little bill of Frances,
which is really long overdue.
Now here is where the Russian factor comes
into the problem. Russia Is making strong
push for paramount influence -Muscovte for
first steps toward annexation-in Persia, and Is
establishing Russian port, naval station and
potential seat Of Satrapy on the shore OF the
Persian Gulf Beyond doubt it would be in
convenient for her to have German railroad
| pushing its intrusive cOwcatchers down to the
mouth of the Euphrates. and a lot OF German
steamers and warships frequentlng the water
which she aims to transform into n Russian
! lake "a very dangerous one for Russia" is
what an important and inspired st. Petersburg
| journal the "NOvoe Vremya' calls the German
railroad scheme. and one ''likely to have the
"effect of barring to Russia all access to South
"ern Persia and India" Which is why we re-
mark that Russian opinion and intent concern
ing the Franco-Turkish dispute would he un-
commonly interesting to know. But it is not
known. And meantime France is persistent,
Germany acquescent and Great Britain appar-
emily Indifferent. so that Turkey seems likely
to he left to work out her own salvation, which
can he done i'm only one way.