LIBERALISM AND THE MACEDONIAN HORRORS. [To THE EDITOR OP THE
" SPECTATOR:1 Sin,—" The present condition of Macedonia is a disgrace to humanity and to the European Powers, England included, who allow it to continue." "What is being done by the Young Turks in 1912 is just as bad as what was done by the Old Turks in 1876, when Mr. Gladstone raised his powerful voice to denounce the atrocities committed." "The only curd
for the Macedonian trouble is a surgical operation which will detach the province from Turkish rule." "Now that the Young Turk bubble has burst, the surgeon's knife must be again sharpened, and I hope England will be first to do it." These passages are taken from a column devoted to the Macedonian horrors by your Liberal contemporary Truth in its issue of July 10th. Similar sentiments have found expression in many organs of Liberal opinion. England, then, is to play the chief part in policing the dark places of the outer world. But when it comes to the question of supply- ing the policeman with the necessary Won Liberalism starts back in alarm. This Turkish problem is not to be settled by diplomatic pressure unbacked by adequate force, as experience shows that, up to a certain point, Turkey can generally count on the secret support of one or other of the great military monarchies. If England is to be " first " in the desired task of applying the surgeon's knife to European Turkey it must be by a naval demonstration of imposing strength in the Mediterranean. Yet at this very moment the editors of nearly all our Liberal papers are throwing up their hands in pious horror at the bare suggestion of any strengthen- ing of our Mediterranean position.—I am, Sir, Az.c.,
Previous page
