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Page 19
But in the mean time the storm clouds have been gathering in other parts
of the sky. The people in England and France and Italy are asking very
significantly whether their Governments are expecting them to fire upon a
Christian army and the Cross, in defence of the rights of the Mohammedan
Empire and the Crescent?
In addition to this, another storm cloud seems to be forming over the
Ottoman Empire itself. There are indications of a general uprising where
Greek Christians abound.
If the clouds over Turkey and those over Europe should unite--what then?
The Powers could fight battalions; but could they stand before a whirlwind
of popular sentiment?
Macedonia has no doubt long cherished the hope of a reunion with Greece;
and the other Gr�co-Turkish provinces too. Perhaps they think the hour is
at hand for realizing that hope!
Nor is it strange if Greece also has been long hoping that when the
Ottoman Empire did finally crumble--as it must--she might out of the wreck
be able to bring together the long-separated fragments of her race.
God grant there may be no conflict between Greece and Europe. But if it
does come--and if a general overturning follows, as it might--it is not
impossible that Greece may come out of it a new and greater kingdom, by a
reunion of the scattered Hellenic (or Greek) peoples.
It is not at all improbable that some such dream of Hellenic unity
underlies the extraordinary drama we are witnessing in the East.
Of course, it is wise to try and avert a great European war. And of
course, diplomacy and tact are needed in dealing with such a delicate and
complicated situation. But there are two opposing parties in England which
hold different views as to the policy which should be pursued in this
"Eastern Question."
Mr. Gladstone, the great and sagacious statesman, has always insisted that
whatever the result, _the Christians in Turkey should be protected by
Christian Europe_; and that the British policy should be a straightforward
and resolute dealing with the Sultan. That is, if promised reforms are not
carried out in good faith by him, the Powers should fulfil their threats
to destroy his authority in his Empire.
About forty years ago the opposite policy was advocated (if not created)
by another great leader and statesman, Lord Beaconsfield; and has ever
since been the one pursued by Great Britain.
Its main purpose is to keep the wicked old Ottoman Empire undisturbed, and
to shield it from the indignation of Europe.
Here and there the Sultan is compelled to loosen his grasp upon some
exasperated and suffering province like Crete, which is set up as an
_autonomous_ (or self-governing) principality (or kingdom), under a double
protection from Turkey and Europe.
This looks kind, and as if the Sultan was being severely dealt with and
punished. But at the same time the knowledge of Turkish atrocities is
being carefully suppressed; and harrowing stories of cruelties in Bulgaria
a few years ago, and in Armenia to-day, are listened to with smiling
incredulity; because it is inconvenient to take notice of these things
while the situation in the East is critical.
Some people think this is a very crooked and shuffling policy for the
great British Empire to pursue. And others, that the Gladstone policy is
sentimental and dangerous.
Of course, the policy which has been for years adopted by England is
controlled entirely by motives of _interest_, and has not one lofty
purpose in it. But when there was talk of making war upon Greece in
_defence of the rights of the Sultan_, the Government realized it had gone
one step too far.
The people would not, and _will_ not permit it. And we are rejoiced to
know that the good and gracious Queen herself protests against such an
act, and is deeply in sympathy with Greece and the Cretans.
It looks now very much as if the much-talked-of Concert of Europe was
about to break in two as cleanly as an orange. Russia, Germany, and
Austria in one half; and England, France, and Italy in the other.
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