THE EASTERN QUESTION.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1289, 12 November 1896, Page 21

THE EASTERN QUESTION.

Paris, November 9. The report of the recent speech of M. Hanotaux, Minister of Foreign Affairs, in the Chamber of Deputies, was cabled to the Sultan of Turkey, its effect being that the Czar, during his tour, had exchanged definite views with the Powers, and expressed his determination to ameliorate the condition of Turkey without breaking the integrity of the Empire, also that united Europe had decided to make the Sultan understand his position. On receipt of this message the Sultan had an interview of three hours 1 duration with M. Cambon, French Ambassador at Constantinople, and shortly afterwards he issued the promises to release all prisoners who are not charged with any offence, to convene the Armenian Assembly to elect a Patriarch, to dismiss the Governor- General of Diarbekir, and to render assistance to the distressed districts. These promises were cabled to the Turkish Ambassador, and by him communicated to M. Hanotaux, who made them public property. Referring to the attitude of Turkey on the Armenian question, Lord Salisbury, Secretary for Foreign Affairs, declared, in a speech delivered to-day, that it wad imperative Great Britain should act in concert with the other Powers. London, November 10.

Speaking at a banquet last night, Lord Salisbury said that after an anxious year the Foreign Office was relatively calm. Referring to the Eastern Question, he said isolated action would be the worst way in which to attempt to rescue the Christians from the hands of the atrocious Moslem tyrants. Tho British Navy and Army were unfitted to amend the misrule in the interior of Asia Minor, although with tho assistance of the other Powers reforms might bo effected. lie denied that tho Powers wore selfish, except in trying to avert war, and said the '•'splendid isolation" of Great Britain enabled her to exhibit emotional sympathy, but the .safety of the Powers in the vicinity of Turkey was more vitally affected. The idea of abandoning territory to conciliate the Powers was idyllic and absurd, and concerted action was now found to be a better method to pursue. He went on to say that it was antiquated diplomacy to suggest that antagonism was necessary between Russia and Great Britain, and added that he had good grounds for believing that Russia's views on the question were identical with our own, although the two nations differed as to the best means to bo adopted to enforce re-

forms. Personally he concur in aiay proposal to force the Sultan to effect reforms if the other Powers approved. He ridiculed the reforms which the Sultan had promised the French Minister of Foreign Affairs that he would carry out.