There is evidently a grand fight going on at Constantinople.
The Sultan is sick of Khaireddin, his Tunisian Grand Vizier, who always advises concession to the Powers, who has not solved the financial question, as he promised, and who quarrels with Osman Pasha and the old Mussuhnans. He is weary, too, of yielding, now about Egypt, now about Greece, and is half inclined to trust Russia, which has fought him openly, and might find him some money. He has, therefore, sum- moned Mahmoud Nedim, the " Russian " Grand Vizier, who repudiated the Debt, but who can govern, back to Constantinople, and intended to place him in the Cabinet. Khaireddin, however, threatened resignation, and Sir Henry Layard grew so menacing, that the Sultan has assured every- body that he recalled Mahmoud only from motives of humanity. Mahmoud is, however, in Constantinople, and is sure, therefore, to see the Sultan, and encourage him in his course of seeking support in Russia. It has long since been pointed out that the natural result of Lord Beaconsfield's policy would be a strict alliance between Russia and Turkey, which would give Russia all she wanted, and free the Pashas from worry which makes their lives unendurable. That is the worst result for England possible, as it abolishes the " barrier " to Russia, and yet keeps Turkey alive.
