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.
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