The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-06-21

CONSTANTINOPLIE, June 20. -
With the pot of European politics sim
mering over Balkan affairs optimism
seems to have faded from the diplo-
matte sky.
The phrase the "unspeakable Turk,
has given way to another, the i'm
possible Turk" which has a truer sig
nificance, for the attempt at grating
the flowers of Western civilization on
to the stem of an Oriental plant has
mixed up the landscape gardeners of
Europe completely.
Instead of flowers the effort has pro-
duced thorns, and when the full re-
suits are accomplished a maze of
puzzling proportions will follow the
attempt to clear up the Balkan thistle
patch.
The fault is as much with the in
surrectiOnary states as with the sultan,
resting much on the incapacity for
self-restraint on the part of the peo
pies of a cOsmopolite character,
jumbled together under a Moslem
despOtism.
The most lucid explanation yet given
of the Near East situation is by Ar
minus Vamberg, the well known writ
er on Oriental topics. AS an intimate
Oughly acquainted with the intricacies
of the situation. To your correspond
ent he said recently:
The question you want answered is
whether the reforms urged by the sui
tan's neighbors will bear fruit and
whether, by being later on extended
to the rest of the empire, they will cure
the unfortunate country of the many
ills it is suffering from.
Hamid Fears Reforms.
ITO expect an adequate result it is
necessary that the reformatory ex-
pertinent should be a voluntary one;
that regard should be paid to the.
mixed ethical and religious condition
Of the population; and, finally, that
the financial means for their realiza-
ton should be in existence. Unhap-
PLY, all these conditions are utterly
wanting. The opposition of Sultan
Abdul Hamid to reforms proposed by
Europe does not lie so much in a per-
eonal aversion, but rather in the fear
that his Christian subjects might use
the liberal institutions as an instru-
ment for revolutionary purposes, and
in the belief that there is no conces-
sion in the world which will suppress
in these subjects their lurking desire
for national independence. The fulfill
ty of these apprehensions cannot be
so easily proved, for even in the short
period of constitutional life under Mid
hat Pasha that fear existed, it was for
this reason that the application of the
politico-natiOnal name "Osmanli' was
officially introduced. Five or six
hundred years of dire oppression are
not so easily forgotten, particularly
when the example of the already liber-
ated nationalities is constantly incit-
ing and encouraging the desire for in
dependence. It is difficult to find fault
with the sultan for not rushing into re-
forms, and because that, keeping the
principle, "festina lente," before his
eyes, he eagerly gives preference to
a peaceful, slow, and quiet mode of
progress. This suits better Oriental
dilatoriness, and representation has
been always the best plea for innate
conservatism. In my emphasizing the
due regard for the mixed population,
European critics too easily forget that
a nation accustomed centuries ago to
privileges sanctioned by religion will
not so quickly forget the political SUI
premacy won by the victories of their
ancestors; and in the eyes of a Turk
most shocking notion In the world. 1t
is this horror of equality of rights
which has caused the migration of
hundreds of thousands of Moslems
from the Christian Balkan states to
Asiatic Turkey, where they would
rather perish than submit to the
equaliZing law of Christian rule.
Turkey Can't Get Money.
"As to the necessary means for the
realization of reforms, it is no secret
that, financially, Turkey, unable to meet
her current expenses, is utterly unable
to procure additional money for the re-
modelling Of her provincial administration
A state on the verge of bankruptcy could
probably find salvation from imminent
danger if its ruler, following a healthy
policy, would not throw overheard his
countryS old alliances and friendly rela-
TONS the utility of which have been often
proved, and which alone could lend as
slstance under the present difficulties It
former friends, who, having sadly con-
founded political questions with religious
or humanitarian aims. have taken INSULT
Gent account of the difficulties under
Which the porte is and was Iaboring: but
the Sultan Abdul Hamid also committed
great mistake when. influenced by dis
trust and suspicion, he departed from the
Llne or policy beQueathed to him by his
father. Sultan Abdul Medjid, whilst
~ relations to all the European powers
mad always shown prominent attach
nent to England, as to the country which
rules over the largest number of Mahon-
medans, whose friendship must prove most
valuable to the khalifa, j. e.. the Spiritual
mead of the Islam, and which has never
manifested desire of grab and cononest
as has Russia. His son has acted unite
Inherently. Sultan Abdul Hamid has al
ways shown marked preference for Rms
sla. 1t is not SO much his lack of love
Tor England as it is fear for his arch
enemy that keeps him forever ouaking
at the thought of the Bears southwark
advance. =
Porte's Policy Fatal.
If by placating Russia with a town to-
oay and village tomorrow he could ar
rest the descent of the Slav avalanche
it would be done. But Russia wants no
bones where she is sure of a carcass
Ihe dire consequence of this unfortu-
IIlate step has shown itself in the heavy
losses sustained since the Inauguration Of
ms fatal policy, it being an Unidentified
TACT That during the reign of the present
sultan the territorial loss of the Ofton1a n
empire has been, greater than during tho
Cme or any Of his predecessors. TfIrlxev
OF today stands, in fact without anv aIIy
or reliable friend. for Germany. whose
much- boasted friendship NAV he of I1se
cducatlonally in the distant future in fbe