Year: 1879

England's present position with rela-
tion to the Ottoman government is absurd,
but it is the necessary result OF her own
course. Her grievance is that the Suitans
administration is now practically worked
by Russian intrigue and is mere tool of
Russian manGuvres. The horrors and
abuses of Turkish misrule in Asia Minor
are fair pretext upon which to raise cry
that may commend itself to popular senti-
ment at home but the real complaint is as
above stated-the Sultan is becoming
Russian puppet and not British puppet.
He is sure to be somebody's puppet. because
no potentate who cannot assert his will in
his own dominions is sovereign otherwise
than nominally. But when England was
requested to join hands with other Powers
and reconstruct the whole political fabric of
the Sultan's part Of the world by fair COM
pact between the nations whose interests are
involved-when she was asked to take part
in the organization Of a government that
would be empowered to rule on the con-
dition that it should respect the defined
rights of others-she refused. She would
have nothing to do with it, and she en-
couraged the Sultan to refuse to make
terms and even to fight. 1t suited her
policy to have the Sultan there, with ali
the known vices and evils of his govern
ment. Indeed. the vices of the Turkish
system were the part of it which gained
most favor in the eyes of British statesmen,
because it was believed that through these
the countries nominally ruled by the Sui
tan could be really ruled by England.
Just as England pat up Yakoob Khan as
o puppet to rule in her name in Afghanis-
tan, and wanted to make Cetywayo the
creature of her rule in the Zulu countries,
so it was counted that the Ambassador at
Constantinople would be practically Brit
ish resident near to the person of the
Sultan. England therefore deliberately
counted upon the vices Of the Turkish
system as factors in her policy, and
would not consent to changes the purpose
Of which was to sweep away those vices.
But her game was not so easy to play in
Europe as she has found it in Asia and
Africa. Russia's position in the Ottoman
capital is morally stronger than that of
England, because she has shown that she
will at last resort TO force, despite all Eng
lish or other opposition, and that she will
hit hard when she hits at all; and England
has shown that she can leave in the lurch
those whom she encourages to fight. With
such plain interences in her favor to start
with Russia is also more adroit in the very
game of intrigue which England proposed
to play and has beaten her at it. 1t is not
vet very clear what will bo the conse-
quences Of England's demonstration with
her feet; but it will not lead to war.
Apparently the orders to the Admiral have
been reconsidered for such slight reasons
as Turkish protest and the Sultans
assurance that he means to enforce reforms
in Asia Minor. He has always meant to,
and SO have all his predecessors. Ii the
course taken by England was intended as q
threat to frighten the Sultan into the dis
missal OF Nedim Pacha it has not sue
ceeded Nedim Pacha is just now per-
haps the most useful man in the Ottoman
Empire, for the Sultan has no want 80 press
ing as the want of money, and Nedim sup
plies nina point in which more upright
Ministers fail.