The Sultan and the Powers.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5258, 14 May 1895, Page 3

The Sultan and the Powers.

Report alleges that; the Sultan of Turkey has been thrown into a state of consternation at finding England, Euseia and the other Great Powers at one in demanding the introduction of administrative reforms in Armenia. Evidently hia Majesty has been living- in a fool's paradise' and trusting that international jealousies would suffice to protect him from | molestation. According to Qeneral i Lew Wallace, the well-known Armenian | author, "the Sultan is the ablest diplomatist in Europe. He holds his place by reason of the equilibrium he maintains among the Great Powers. His whole business is to play off one of his covetous neighbours against the other, to Booth c the susceptibilities of one and excite those of another, so as to maintain himself through their rivalries and their jealousies. The Sultanship is in consequence an unstable and precarious office, and demands the very highest order of diplomatic skill on the part of the man who fills it. The present Sultan possesses that skill in an eminent degree. He 'teeters' in the balance with a consciousness that a solitary error would be fatal to him. Bat he makes no mistakes." If this is a true picture of the Saltan, there is some hope for Armenia. Once the Sultan is satisfied that the Powers are as earnest as they are in appearance united on the subject of the anti-Chri3tian outrages, he will concede whatever guarantees they may demand. Bat if he is as able as General Wallace depicts, he may imagine himself able to set the Powers quarrelling among themselves, and there is thus an element of danger. It is to be hoped, however, that the attitude of united and horrified remonstrance will- be maintained, and effective reforms insisted upon.