TOO WEAK TO GOVERN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 183, 12 January 1915, Page 4

TOO WEAK TO GOVERN.

Tlic truth swiiiß to be that the Turkish Government really is so weak it lias 110 longer any right to govern; but it is also so bitterly hostile to Europe that it is only waiting i'or a chance to do all the mischief it can, and tX the same time it is so treacherous and crafty that it would escape the consequences of all its misdeeds unless it were crushed by force. Before this great war began, and until the Turks themselves were made to suffer, tliey were 011 the most cordial terms with the Germans, and more than Willing to accept their aid in organising their army anil navy. There has been virtually a close entente between the two nations, and the only reason the Turks now wish to throw over their friends is that their joint plans have miscarried. We can regard only with grim humor the representation of the Turk as an innocent and unfortunate victim to the wiles of the Teuton. It ' has been a case of diamond cut diamond | with them. The character of Ottoman diplomacy is too notorious to need describing. ]f they have been outwitted at last they have well-earned their doom. Theirs is a tragedy without any dignity. Their policy was to make use of the Germans but to throw them over if expedient. They were not so simple-mind-ed aa to believe that these foreigners were organising their defence forces purely out of disinterested affection to the Ottoman race. Had Germany succeeded against France and Britain Turkey would have stood out openly as her Ally, and it might then have inflicted deadly injury 011 English rule and English trade through its connection with Indian Mos- : lems, the Egyptian Government and the Suez Canal.