Meantime we may note the rumour that the Turks, realizing
that all chance of stopping the entry of the Bulgarians by force of arms is over, are trying to attain their object by negotiations. They are, that is to say, offering to make peace almost on any terms if the Bulgarians will refrain from entering Constantinople. For ourselves we feel bound to say that we shall regret it if the occupation does not take place. The value of a Bulgarian occupation would be that it would make it clear to the Turks that their future, or such future as they have, is in Asia. By this reservation we do not mean in any way to assert that Mohammedanism has no future in Asia. That would, of course, be absurd. In going to Asia and an Arabic-speaking population Islam will only be returning whence it came. What we doubt is whether there is any future in Asia or elsewhere for the Ottoman clan. Still, the Bulgarians are the victors, and it is they and none other who have the right to decide whether they shall or shall not replace the Cross upon St. Sophia.
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