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Page 16
England knows that Russia is watching her opportunity to slip in at the
first opening, and may get to the prize first. And Russia, and Germany,
and the rest all alike fear the same thing of each other. If any one of
them _alone_ should make a move against the Turk,--the rest, like a pack
of wolves, would be at her throat in an hour.
So the Powers must all act together or in _concert_. And this is what is
known as the "Concert of Europe."
And this much talked-of Concert of Europe has for its chief object the
preservation of the _balance of power._ That is, not permitting any one of
the European States to become very much more powerful than it already is,
and thus disturb the _equilibrium_ of the whole.
This delicate condition of affairs regarding Turkey is known as the
"Eastern Question." And it is considered so important because, more than
any other, it threatens the "balance of power."
Whether Russia, or England, or Germany would be richer after an upset in
Turkey, no one can tell. But it is pretty certain that new maps would have
to take the place of your old ones, with the familiar outlines of some of
the European States much altered.
So the Christian Powers have been for a century trying not to hear the
cries of anguish and terror coming from the Ottoman Empire, because
European diplomacy has decided that the only safe course is to let the
"unspeakable Turk" stay where he is; and the Sultan, secure in his foul,
crime-stained old Empire, which is tottering and crumbling under his feet,
laughs softly, and rubs his hands in pleasant satisfaction, and the
butchery goes on.
But recently the cries from Armenia became so piercing, so heartrending,
and so prolonged, that the Christian people in Europe would stand it no
longer. They demanded that, come what would, the Powers _must_ put a stop
to the wholesale slaughter of Armenian Christians.
So the six Ambassadors of the six Great European States came together and
gravely discussed what should be done.
One of the ways of diplomacy is to act very slowly. This gives time for
things to come right again of themselves, and also time for the people to
cool down, and not disturb the game by foolish outbursts of sentiment.
And another of the ways of diplomacy in this Eastern Question has been,
with great show of indignation, to threaten the Sultan with destruction
unless--he promises certain reforms for the future.
This, of course, he is perfectly willing to do. He solemnly pledges
protection to the Christians, and punishment to their persecutors, without
the slightest intention of carrying out the promised reforms. Indeed, he
knows that he could not do it even if he wanted to. And the Powers know it
too, just as well as they know _they_ would not carry out their threat to
destroy his rickety throne.
But all this talk gives time, and two or three more years are thus gained
for the Sultan and for the Powers, too; and in the mean time the people
are pacified, because they think something is being done toward wiping
out the great iniquity in the East.
But as I said, the Ambassadors of the six Powers not long ago came
together, and under instructions from their various governments talked
over the Armenian atrocities. Just as they were cautiously and solemnly
preparing their decision, or _ultimatum_, as it is called (which was the
old threat to the Sultan if the Christians were not protected), something
unexpected happened.
It was not a part of the diplomatic game at all; and it was the act of an
insignificant Kingdom, which had nothing whatever to say in the great
European Concert.
The name of this insignificant Kingdom is the most splendid and renowned
in the history of the world.
For two thousand years people in all other lands have been trying to do
things as well as they did. But no such pictures, no such statues, no such
architecture as theirs has ever been produced. No men have talked and
thought as wisely upon great subjects. No poets have excelled theirs in
grandeur. No women have been more perfect types of beauty and refinement;
and no men more liberty-loving, grand, and heroic.
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