It is almost impossible to discern the truth as to
the dis- pute between France and Turkey. The claim of the former was that the Sultan should allow the French concessionaires of the quays in Constantinople to enter on their property, and should pay two large bills which his Majesty admits that he owes to two French bankers. The Sultan at first evaded both claims, and then conceded both, agreeing to borrow £4,000,000, and out of that to buy the quays and pay the Frenchmen's bills. He then receded from his promise, and then when again threatened surrendered the quays to the concessionaires, but demanded time for the other bills. M. Constans was by some accounts half inclined to agree, but M. Delcasse was not ; a peremptory demand was addressed to the Sultan, and as it was once more evaded, M. Constans left Constantinople, and the Turkish Ambassador in Paris, Munir Bey, who is away on a holiday, was requested to keep away for a time. Technically this is not a breaking off of relations, because the Legations remain though the Ambassadors are absent; but it seems to be understood that if the Sultan does not yield measures of direct coercion may follow, which, as he thinks, may rouse the slumbering rebellions among his own subjects into activity. He will, therefore, it is supposed, yield, and pay the money, if he can raise it anywhere, which is not quite certain.
