Turning to foreign affairs, Kiamil Pasha described the negotiations with
Bulgaria • and Austria-Hungary. As to the Cretan question, that must belong to the four protecting Powers, who had promised to achieve a settlement in accord- ance with Turkish interests. The attitude of the Greek Government bad been strictly correct, and he did not appre- hend fresh complications in this matter. Turkish relations with all the Powers were good. Before the proclamation of the Constitution the relations between the Empire and Great Britain were not very friendly, but British sentiment was far from being hostile to the nation, and merely opposed the former regime. "The old sincere friendship between the nations had been revived and confirmed since the proclamation of the Constitution (loud cheers)." "The close of the speech," says the Times correspondent, whose admirable report of the speech we have summarised, "was marked by an outburst of applause," and a vote of confidence was carried unanimously "amidst frantic cheers." Fine speeches do not, of course, make great reforms; but we trust that we shall not be regarded as unduly optimistic if we describe the Grand Vizier's speech as at any rate a good omen. Nothing could be better than its moderation and good sense. The candour with which the financial situation is treated is a specially good sign. The temptation must have been great to paint matters in rosy colours. That the Grand Vizier did not yield to it is a sign of statesmanship as well as of sincerity.
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