There are rumours all over the Continent and in Con-
stantinople itself that the Powers, fearful lest the anarchy in Turkey should end in some unexpected explosion, are dis- cussing plans for the deposition of the Sultan. If it is desired to postpone the inevitable fall of Ottoman power for a few years more, that is the only course to take, and we de not believe that it is an impracticable one. The greater Turks, by which we mean the working chiefs of the Army, of the Administration, and of the ecclesiastical world, once convinced that Europe insists, can supersede the Sultan if they please, and know from traditional experience exactly how to do it. The danger, of course, would be that the Sultan might appeal to the mob, and cause a general massacre of Europeans, but the garrison can prevent that if its chiefs choose ; action would be very rapid ; and the gun- boats would stop all communication with the Asiatic side. The two conditions precedent of success in such a movement, are that the Powers should decide finally that it must succeed, and that they should for the nonce trust some one Ambas- sador—we would suggest the Frenchman—with the right of deciding in any emergency for them all. It must not be for- gotten that the Turkish High Admiral is of all men the one who has most interest in defending the present occupant of the throne, and perhaps the most power to do it.
