Late on Friday there was an impression that the Sultan,
at last alarmed, had become reasonable, and would make conces- sions; and a rumour was current that if he did not, he would be dethroned. Anything may occur at Constantinople, but there has been no time for sound information from thence to arrive in London, and the balance of probabilities is against both the impression and rumour. The Sultan must have made his decision under pressure from stronger men than himself. The Pashas have, hitherto, when put to the test, always fought, and they may possibly rely on the defences of the Sea of Marmora. Indeed, they will hardly believe in combined action against them until they see the Fleet off Constantinople. As to dethronement, who is to do it P There are three powers in Constantinople—the Sultan, the army, and the Mussulman mob—and the two latter are usually for fighting. If any competitor could pro- mise regular pay, the army might listen ; but how is any man of the House of Othman to secure that P We note, neverthe- less, as part of the situation, that the regular signal of danger to a Sultan—the assertion that he is mad--has reappeared, and do not forget that Jews, and Greeks, and Armenians with large resources have a heavy stake in preventing the Sultan from bringing on himself destruction.
