WHERE TURKEY STANDS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 6, 2 January 1913, Page 4

WHERE TURKEY STANDS.

If a Mahometan Government is to continue in Europe it must be borne in, mind that Mahometanism is essentially an aggressive creed, with an aggressive history and tradition. It is pointed out that it has proved its authenticity for Mahometans in gen era! by its power to destroy faith. 1 - weaker than itself, and, when compel! ed to acquiesce in the existence of cm which is stronger, it has no room fo: growth, or even for full and adequate life. Possibly it has done some good in the world by brushing away with a strong hand the feeble superstitions and idolatries which rested on no reasonable basis at all. But, a wellknown writer contends, its conquests in Africa and Europe were probably always productive of more evil than good, and certainly a ruling Mahometan caste in any part of Europe is a mere barrier to progress, and a menace even to. the life of anything hotter than Mahometanism itself. To arm Mahometans at all in great cities, where the mass of the people are rot Mahometans is to set light to carefi lly prepared inflammable material. Yet it certainly will not be easy to disarm the Mahometan population of these great cities, without provoking a very, similar outbreak. The followers of a religion of the- sword will not ■ ear ilv be deprived of the sword, especially at the very moment when the sword seems to be the only hope, whether ot mere conquest or of mere safety. The more the situation in the East. IS ; c m* sidered'the more evident it seems that this is not one of the questions of which statesmen can dispose at r ny European capital or elsewhere by more negotiation. Of course, the Powers can, if they be sincere and straig.it forward, arrange amongst themselves, as far as possible, what they will do in the present emergency; but they must remember that Turkey cannot, to ray purpose, speak for herself, through her ambassadors, as these great Empires can. Whatever the Chancelleries of the Powers direct, can, no doubt, bo carried by the commanders of the respective armies without any fear of popular resistance. But Turkey is by no means in the same position. Tuil.ey may promise well, but, as to peifoimance, that is a matter which depends on the Mussulman caste; and, without a very much larger and a very much more‘trustworthy force than Turkey possesses, it will he certainly difficult to restrain’the Mussulman caste by the aid of Mussulman troops, who certainy sympathise with Mussulman violence/ In short, it seems pretty certain that, whatever Turkey nun promise, she cannot hope to secure obedience to her Government, when it interferes on behalf of Christians.