Lord Derby's speech in reply was principally remarkable for admissions.
He admitted that Europe ought to settle the future condition of Turkey. He admitted "that there had been, on the part of the Turkish Government, great and grievous faults of administration during the last twenty years, and that these faults have contributed in some not inconsiderable degree to the insur- rectionary movements we have witnessed during the last twelve months." He admitted that the Christian subjects of Turkey had now a strong feeling in favour of independence. And he admitted, while denying that he had ever declared autonomy impossible, that the great difficulty in the way was the want of community of ideas between Christians and Mahommedans,—a difficulty which is got rid of, if the Mahommedans in the Christian States are treated as guests. He desired, however, to avoid the word "autonomy," as too elastic. It will be observed that Lord Derby treats the despatch of the Fleet to Besika Bay as a measure intended to prevent outbreaks in Constantinople, while Mr. Disraeli, in the speech described elsewhere, explains it as in- tended to show Europe that Britain would protect the freedom of the Mediterranean.
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