New-York tribune., 1901-11-01
FRANCE AND TURKEY.

Tho understanding was so general and SO
nositiva that France and Turkey had patched
I'D a settlement Of their differences tilat lhe
nrasent menace of hostilities VIII come as a
SUNRISE Upon the intrinsic merits OF the case
II would not be fitting to attempt to pass Judg-
ment There is probably something 10 be sa'h
on each side. But prejudices of race ana creeu
are all but omnipotent, and in this as IN many
former eases they will cause the sympathies OF
most people in Christendom to turn to"aiu
Franco and against the Turks. Beyond that IL
IS perfectly we'll known, and nowhere better
than in this country that the Turkish Govern
ment has most reprehensible and exaspera'ihe
habit of delaying on every possible pretext ana
10 the latest possible moment the payment oi
Indebtedness or indemnities the Justice OF Whlch
/. docs nor DISPUTE There will be less atten-
zion naid to the question whether or not all the
French claims are just than TO remembrance
of Turkish haggling over our own just claims
and of the difficulties experienced by fhls gov
ernment in effecting a settlement.
Reyond the question of justice there Is also
that of ability which likewise is generally over
looked Perhaps ii is right to overlook II. Anli-
ity to meet just obligations Is assumed. as
matter of course, in the case or every govern
mpnt That is one of the things Tor whlch gov
ernrnents exist to meet responsibilities ana opli-
.,o,ionS The business man who cannot pay MS
debts and meet his notes when they FAN due
must shut up shop and go into bankruptcy OF
have his affairs put into the hands OF receiver
The same rule holds good among nations anu.
while # may seem stern and at times harsh, II
IS founded upon sense and justice II govern
,,,on+ connot fulfl the functions OF govern
ment it has no claim to continued existence,
certainly not 10 Independence. In the case of
ie
be considered. that for many years the Constan-
tinople government has not been truly hue'
randent but has been to a degree under the
+r+eIage copstraint or coercion OF other powers.
and therefore 1t is not justly to be held respoh-
sihle as an entirely independent government
sbo,,Id be II has more than A few times been
urged that the powers ought either to let turkey
manage her own affairs, as they do theirs, ana
then hold her fully accountable for thefn OF else
TO take full charge Of her affairs themsei'eS'
and themselves assume the responsibility. bu'
even this view OF the case is likely 10 be over
looked or forgotten in the enthusiasm Whlch Is
Invariably aroused by the spectacle OF a 'hrlS-
tian mower reading the riot act TO the "unspeak-
able Turk"
There can be, of course, no doubt as to the
outcome of an actual clash between france ana
Turkey On land the Turks. than whom there
are no Drawer fighters in the Woriu, might hah"
- s+,,,,born resistance even against the legions
of France But at and on the coast they
Mill ba norerIess before the prowess Of the sec
ond navy In the world. Indeed. ii Is doubtful
If they venture to await an actual onset Inc
onnearance Of the French squadron OH the
coast. at Smyrna elsewhere Will probably he
the signal for submission and payment OF the
claims The chief significance of the lnclient,
then Will be the example 1t VIII set 10 o'her
mowers which have claims against Turkey. ana
the step ii will take toward a complete break
ing down OF the authority Of the Sublime Porte
and toward an execution of that bag and bag
gage" policy which was so dear 10 the heart OF
Mr. Gladstone. As for the possibility of any
other powers intervening in behalf OF Turkey
and obiectng TO Frances strenuous action, IL
is entirely too remote for consideration H. IN
deed II exists at all. France will have a free
hand and an open field 10 work her will against
Turkey