The Hastings Standard Published Daily WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 1897. THE SULTAN'S DILEMMA.

Hastings Standard, Issue 372, 14 July 1897, Page 2

The Hastings Standard Published Daily

WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 1897. THE SULTAN'S DILEMMA.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrongs that need resistance, For the'future in the distance, And the good that we can do.

The Gkeat Assassin is in a serious dilemma, but the crafty Oriental may be; relied upon to wriggle out with a whole skin. He hj, however, for the moment between the deep blue sea and the alliterative alternative. The integrity of the Ottoman Empire practically Legends upon his next move, and it is difficult to guess how he will negotiate the difficulties that surround him. Hitherto he has been able to play upon the susceptibilities of the Great Powers, and like a clever chess player he has moved his pieces about in such a way as to checkmate his opponents ; but now the European Areopagus is steadfast, an 1 even that firebrand that rules the ~ de.sWili.es of Germany has climbed down to the other Powers. At one time it appeared as though the Ivaiser and the Sultan were sworn friends, and the interchange of courtesies immediately after the armslice with Greece was forced upon the Turks gave an additional coloring to the seeming good understanding between Berlin and Constantinople. Russia too has appeared in the guise of a friend of Turkey, and during the course of the Armenian massacres the Czar was the recipient of many valuable presents filched by the Sultan from his more wealthy subjects. But this was in the period when Prince Lobanoff controlled the Russian Foreign Office. The visit of the Czar and Czarina to Balmoral and the interview with the British foreign Minister brought about a good understanding between Russ'a and England, and the appointment of Prince Muravieff to succeed Prince Lobanoff was generally looked upon as a triumph for Lord Salisbury. There is thus a complete understanding between the Great Powers; and the urgent telegrams that have been sent by the three Emperors to the Sultan, while it discloses the fact that the position is critical it also emphasises the degree of unity of the Powers. And the Sultan is alarmed at the position. Very naturally, for the combined Powers can shatter his Empire in a very short time; and a very benevolent action it would be on their part if the circumstances force them into it. The Sultan if he is afraid of the Powers is probably more afraid of the new born zeal of bis subjects. The linpotency of the Powers during the past eighteen months and the diplomatic victories of Turkey, together with the complete overthrow of the Greek army by the Sultan's soldiers, has caused a national revival. The army has by its victories been quickened into appreciating its own importance, and as it is well organised and capable of making itself felt its requests cannot be ignored. But what is really the feeling of the Turkish people may be gauged from the following appeal addressed by the Grand Vizier to his Sovereign : " Mv great age, and the confidence shown in me by appointing me the Grand Vizier of so glorious a Caliph, emboldens me to submit to your Majesty my views on the question of the day. The successes of our soldiers over their enemies have so revived the ardour of the nation that an imjoc-

tant portion of it, which was previously alienated from yon, has now been won back. The whole of Islam is, therefore, one soul and one body, and stands round your throne in an invincible phalanx. Sire, look upon tbe Powers of Europe as enemies who are plotting the destruction of Turkey. If, in present circumstances, we yield to European pressure, not only shall we have done nothing to ensure our existence, but we shall alienate our Mussulmans. Therefore I implore Your Majesty, for the sake of your victorious ancestors, to retain Thessaly. If you seize this opportunity, you are destined to revive the anciena prowess of the great Sultans of the past. During your glorious reign there have been several questions which Europe laid stress upon, and on which you refused to be dictated to, such as tbe Armenian question and others. What was the result ? You gained the victory. Let these examples guide you in the matter of Thessaly." The Grand Vizier, in conclusion, begs His Majesty to accept his resignation if the advice is unpalatable. The military authorities have appealed to their Imperial master in the same strain, and the Head of the Church of Islam has advised the Sultan in agreement with the other factors. The Church, the army and the Civil Service are strongly opposed to the retrocession of Thessaly, and the inordinate time that it has taken to bring the negotiations to a head is proof positive that the Sultan has been obdurate. The decision of the Powers that not an acre of Christian soil would be allowed to be incorporated with Turkish territory was well known to the Sultan, and while he has acceded to the demands of the Ambassadors on all other points of the Treaty, he has remained firm with regard to the retention of Thessaly. The terms proposed by the Ambassadors of the European Concert and submitted to the Sublime Porte in a Collective or Identical Note were the strategic rectification of the frontier and the payment of an indemnity by Greece of ±'3,000,000. The Sultan wanted the abolition of the capitulations, the annexation of the conquered province of Thessaly, and an indemnity of £T10,000,000. He has given away on all points except as to annexing Thessaly, and how he is to extricate himself from his difficult position remains to be seen. The probability is that he will piead that he is powerless in the face of the strong national feeling and invite the Powers to settle the business for him. Until the combined fleets show their broadsides to Constantinople it is unlikely that the Moslems will agree to retire from Thessaly, aud in tbe interval we may expect to hear of much Turkish atrocities and massacres. Tiie position is getting decidedly critical and therefore extremely interesting.