The Government appears suddenly to have reconsidered its view Of
Hobart Pasha's position. On Friday week Lord Derby, attacked by the Earl of Camperdown, said Captain Hobart was restored because the reorganisation of the Turkish fleet was a beneficial work, and that his restoration involved a tacit permis- sion to continue it. He could not say what would be his decision if Turkey were at war, but clearly Hobart Pasha had a right to serve her in time of peace. On Tuesday, how- ever, questioned by Mr. Cartwright, the Admiralty, through Mr. Egerton, asked for time to reply ; and on Thursday replied, that Turkey being at war, Captain Hobart had been informed that he could not combine the characters of a British officer and a Turkish admiral commanding against an ally of the British Government. That is clearly the right course. There are many circumstances under which the loan of a commander-in-chief might be equivalent to the loan of a fleet or army, and would be an unequivocal act of hostility to the country attacked. Suppose Austria to declare war on France, and Germany to lend her Count von Moltke without removing him from his position ! We hope the decision indicates, however faintly, that the Government is a trifle leas disposed to annoy Russia.
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