Strenuous demands have been made upon the Porte for redress,
and German, Austrian, Russian, and British men-of-war have -been despatched to Salonica. The Turkish Government has pro- mised everything—the execution of the murderers, compensation to their families, and a formal salute to the German and French flags—but no arrests have yet been made, the Mussulmans of Salonica being "too excited." The Sultan, moreover, has dismissed Mahmond Pasha, the Grand Vizier, and will, it is reported, make Hussein Avni Pasha either Grand Vizier, or Generalissimo in- the European provinces. This Pasha, a man of excep- tional daring, audacity, and ability, is the recognised head of the War party in Turkey, is known to have advised the invasion of Servia and Montenegro, and would-andenhtedly be believed in Turkey to be friendly to a Holy War. It is difficult to believe that he will be appointed, but he is the favourite Minister of the Sultana Valide, the Sultan's mother, and of a party in Constantinople which sees hope only in an appeal to the sword. It is improbable that the Sultan, a nerveless man, has resolved upon extreme courses, but he may be swayed by fears of an &sale against himself, which is said to be expected in Con- stantinople. The situation is evidently regarded both in Paris and Berlin as very serious, and there is a report abroad that the British Mediterranean squadron will be ordered to Turkish waters.
