The sun., 1905-11-27
RUSSIA EMBOLDENS SULTAN.
Views OF Oscar =. Straus, Former American
Minister to TurAey.

LAKEWOOD, n. j.. Nov 26.-Oscar s.
Straus, formerly American Minister to
Turkey who is staying at the Lakewood
Hotel, said in an interview to-day: what
emboldens the Sultan TO hold out against
the Powers for the proper administration
of Macedonia? 1t is not because of the
strength of Turkey but the weakness OF
Russia, which has been the dominating
power In Turkey since the Crimean war,
when the English influence declined. The
defeat of Russia by Japan, together with
the dreadful misrule in the Cars domain,
eliminating In the massacre Of the Jews,
could not fail to have 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 terrorizsd the Turk.
But that Russia at this time should be
the dominating Power to enforce reforms
on Turkey, when she herself is on the brink
OF dissolution, cannot but fail to strike the
Sultan as an absurdity. Russia, there
fore. under the circumstances, instead
of being an element of strength TO the
Powers in forcing the Sultan 20 yield, is
the chief element Of weakness and em-
boldens the Sultan to resistance. 1t Is
important that this peremptory notice
be given by the Powers before the fleets
mistakable language, this notice should
he a ioint note of all the civilized Powers,
and it should be placed in the hands OF the
Sultan.
~The Government that is unable to
prevent so great crime against civiliza-
ton il untitled to he entrusted with the
right to govern. Intervention ia not only
justifiable but imperative in such an event
Had similar note been placed by the
Powers in the hands Of the Gar there would
have been no massacres III Russia.
make this statement advisrdly, and it
will be confirmed by the Arnenians them
selves
The trouble in Turkey is not so much
in Macedonia but lies in the need for
CONGREGATIONAL monarchy. Turkey has
s rong latent forces, the same as Japan
has, and these latent forces could be utilized
for the upbuildng of the empire ii it had
constitutional monarchy. The Sultan is
absolute autocrnt. He is the Gar plus
the Durea uCracy.
The Turks are much better fitted for
constitutional monarchy than are the Rus
slams. The transformation could have been
brought about long ago III Turkey II the
sultan had not been misguided and misled
bv Russia If the Powers will only eliIni-
nate Russia from their concert and insist
upon a constitutional monarch, the Turkish
question. not only in Macedonia but
throughout the Turkish Empire, can be
settled and the way will be paved for an
enlightened administration throughout the
Near Fast.
Russia is not in position at the present
time to force upon Turkey a constitutional
form of government. She needs to clean
her own house first, but the other Powers
certainly are in a position to make demands
and if they will insist that not only Mace
donia but that the whole of Turkey shall
bp raleu6el 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;
then we shall see Turkey rapidly develop
remedy is needed for Persia, which is also
in the grip of Russia and has been syste-
matically held down. as Russia always
holds contiguous countries it hopes to
starve into miserable submission.