13 JULY 1878, Page 1

In the despatch in which Lord Salisbury, on May 30th,

in- structed Sir H. Layard to make this arrangement., and which is submitted to Parliament in explanation, it is expressly stated that the Government of this country fears that provinces in Asiatic Turkey, encouraged by the defeat of the Turkish Govern- ment, may drop off from the Sultan, and speaks of foreign intrigue in such provinces as dangerous ; and it is obvious, therefore, that the Sultan is guaranteed against internal insurrection. Indeed, this follows from the whole arrangement, which, in fact, terminates the independence of Turkey, as the Pashas could not be allowed to declare a war, say, against Greece, which might bring on Russian invasion, without our con- sent. No stipulation is made that the Sultan shall defend him- self, and he might, without breaking the Treaty, leave Asia with- out artillery. It is distinctly added that the Sultan's Government must terminate injustice and oppression in Asia, that the Queen's Government shall have a right to " insist " that this be done, and it is suggested that the best way will be to select good officers and support them loyally. The organs of the Government understand this to mean that an English Civil Service will administer Asiatic Turkey, but there are rumours that the Pashas have rejected this proposal, and that conse- quently control will be exercised chiefly through the Ambassador at Constantinople,—that is, at present, will not be exercised at all, except for the gratification of the Turks.