DESIGNS ON TURKEY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1317, 19 March 1885, Page 3

DESIGNS ON TURKEY.

The London correspondent of the Melbourne Argue, in a review of European affairs, says, under date 23rd January ; The British Government is hampered in all these matters by the knowledge which has reached us from time to time of the designs of the three empires in the east of Europe. It is understood that these Powers have been for months seeking an opportunity for carrying out a plan long previously formed for the partition of Turkey on this side of the Bosphorous. According to report Austria will descend to Salonica, while Russia will approach Alexandria, and Germany is to have compensation in the cession of the part of Trieste -on the Adriatic. The definite seizure—and a protectorate would be such —of Egypt by England would be the signal for the unloosing of the waters. On the Continent it has long been expected that circumstances would compel England to take Egypt, and that she has not done so is a keen disappointment to the “honest bioker" and his allies. They are now indisposed to wait any longer for the realisation of their plans, and are just now making themselves as disagreeable as possible to the country. Certain revelations concerning the line of action decided on in the Skiernieviece Con : ference have latterly reached the Sultan, and caused profound apprehension at the Porte. Hence we have the mission of Hassan Fehmi Pasha, and the desire of His Majesty to draw closer the bonds of union with Great Britain. No doubt the approaching settlement of the Egyptian finances is also a matter of interest to the Sultan, but there is a general concensus of opinion that this is not the great object of the Turkish mission. The general scramble for the possessions of “ the sick man" is indicated in an arrangement said to have been concluded between Italy and England, by which we agree to make certain concessions in the Bed Sea, and when the catastrophe happens to stand aside in order that Italy may appropriate Tunis, the consideration being that now and henceforward Italy will help us to maintain a privileged position in the Kile Yalley. ] attach little importance to this story, save as a general sense of the uneasiness which is abroad. Meantime, the Sultan’s interest in Egypt goes a little beyond the question of tribute. It is believed that arrangements are in progress with the Foreign Office here, that on the return of the - Soudan expedition Turkey should undertake to garrison the Red Sea littoral, and we hear talk of the Sultan’s intention to send soma 6000 troops to the neighborhood of Souakim.