The internal situation in Turkey is clearly very grave, Although
Constantinople is reported to be outwardly quiet, a fierce struggle is going on between supporters of the Com- mittee of Union and Progress and the "old Turks." Should another conflict take place between the opposing forces it is very difficult to say which will win. All must depend upon the army. Again, it is possible that the troops may be divided. It is here, in our opinion, that the extreme danger of the situation is to be found. If anything in the shape of civil war were to take place in Turkey, it is almost certain, as we have pointed out elsewhere, that the various Powers who look forward to inheriting pieces of the Turkish Empire would find the temptation to mare irresistible. But the result of such movement would almost certainly be to involve all Europe. The object of the Committee of Union and Progress is to push the war to extremities and not to allow the preseni or any other Government that may be formed to come to terms with Italy. No doubt the faot that the Italians appear to be determined not to recognize Turkish suzerainty in any form in Tripoli, but to demand annexation pure and pimple.
though they are willing to pay an indemnity, makes it exceed- ingly difficult for the Turks to yield. At the same time Turkey's want of sea power renders her impotent as far as Italy is concerned. All the Turkish "die-bards" can really do is to re!, fire to their own house in the hope of setting fire to Europe generally. That as a piece of revenge may be very magnificent, but it will not help Turkey to regain power and independence.
