No step whatever has yet been taken towards the "
reform " of Asia Minor. We are told every week that Sir Austen Layard has a "scheme," and that it is approved by Safvet Pasha, who always approves everything in words, but that the scheme is not acceptable to the Sultan, who fears being reduced to the position of an Indian Prince. The Pashas, who are quite as hostile, have lately hit upon a very clever idea,—that of making reforms conditional on a loan. How can there be honest judges, or decent gendarmerie, or capable pashas, without a loan ? Let them only have a few millions of British capital, and they will put everything right. If England would not guarantee a few mil- lions, at least the Ministry might do as Lord Palmerston did, express sympathy with the Turkish Treasury, and profound con- fidence in the resources and regeneration of Turkey. Sir Austen Layard seems to have been staggered with the impudence of the demand for a guarantee, and to have muttered something about "Parliament," but really the Turks are quite right. If the Tories believe half they say about their clients, why do they not com- bine, under the presidency of the Duke of Sutherland, and lend . them a few millions at five per cent. ? It would be a splendid investment, for, as they constantly repeat, a "Turk never breaks his word."
