The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-11-27
WHY TURKEY
DEFIES The
POWERS

Lakewood, y. j., Nov. 27-Mr. Oscar S.
straus, formerly United States minister
to Turkey, who Is staying at the Lake
wood hotel, in an interview here today
emphasized the importance OF prompt ac-
ton by the powers against the sultan.
Mr.. Straus said What emboldens he
sultan TO hold out against the powers
for the proper administration OF Macedonia
is not because OF the strength OF Turkey.
but the weakness OF Russia. Russia has
been the dominating .power in Turkey
since the Crimean war, when the Eng
llsh influence declined.
The defeat OF Russia by Japan. to-
gether with the dreadful misrule i'm the
cars domain, eliminating in the mas
sacre OF the Jews. could not fail 10 have
a double influence on the sultan, the one
external and the other internal. Russia
has been shown not to be that strong
power from without that has always ter
rorized the Turk.
But that Russia at this time should
be the dominating power TO enforce re-
forms on Turkey. when she herself is on
the brink OF dissolution. cannot fail 20
strike the sultan az a absurdity. Rus
STA. therefore, under the circumstances,
instead of being an element OF strength
" Aht " 4 III AOliiiik AlAt ENlAhl W
yield. is the chief element OF weaknes
and emboldens the sultan to resistance.
IL is important that this preemptory no.
tice be given by the powers before the
fleets make another move. Expressed I'm
unmlstakable language, this notice should
be a joint note OF all the civilized
powers, and It should be placed In the
hands Of the sultan;
The government that is unable TO
49, NVm 4 AagH
lization is untitled 10 be entrusted with
the right to govern. Intervention is not
only justlfable but imperative in such
an event Had a similar note been placed
by the powers I'm the hands OF the car
there would have been no massacres in
Russia. / make the statement advisedly.
and II will be confirmed by the Armenians
themselves.
THE trouble IN Turkey is not so much
In Macedonia. but lies In the need for
a constitutional monarchy. Turkey has
strong latent forces. the same as Japan
has. Sand these latent forces could be
utilized for the upbuilding OF the en-
pire II Il had n constitutional monarchy.
The sultan is an absolute autocrat. What
the car was supposed TO be the sultan is.
He Is the car plus the bureaucracy.
"The Turks are much better fitted for
a constitutional monarchy than are the
1NuSNlhilNs W hiA0Ap NOhAa nave
been brought about long ago in Turkey
IL the sultan had not been misguided and
misled by Russia. II the powers will only
eliminate Russia frcm their concert and
Insist upon a constitutional monarchy, the
Turkish question. not only In Macedonia,
but throughout the Turkish empire. can
be settled and the way will have 90 be
paved for an enlightened administration
throughout the near east.
Russia is not in a position at the pres
ent time 10 force upon Turkey "A constitu-
tional form of government. Sh needs TO
clean her own house first, but the other
powers certainly are In a position TO make
demands, and II they will insist that not
only Macedonia, but that the whole OF
Turkey shall be released from autocratic
rule. then and not until then will the
Turkish problem be solved.
Let the powers insist upon better ad-
ministration throughout the whole empire.
such as a genuine constitutional form OF
government. Then we shall sec Turkey
rapidly develop into an enlightened power.
similar remedy is needed for Persia,
which il also in the grip OF Russia and
has been Systematically held down as
Russia always holds contiguous countries
il hopes to stsrve into miserable submis-
sion"