Turning to the financial situation, the Grand Vizier explained that
the Treasury lacked funds, and that the Government were compelled to ask permission from the Chamber to raise loans • for the reorganisation of the Army and other necessary reforms. The Government would be compelled to discover new sources of revenue, and to obtain the support of friendly Powers. The most pressing duty was the thorough reform of the financial system of the Empire. Kieran Pasha next went on to explain what had been done up till now. Two British experts, Mr. Crawford and Mr. Weakley, had become advisers in the Customs administration, the reorganisation of which would, he hoped, cause a substantial increase in revenue. The Budget was being prepared under the supervision of M. Laurent, and would shortly be presented to the House. The Egyptian expert, Saba Pasha, had been made Director-General of Posts and Telegraphs, and it was to be hoped that the reform of the Turkish Post Office would bring about the disappearance of the foreign post-offices.
