Our readers will remember a report that Chefket Pasha, whose
trial was demanded in such loud tones by Lord Derby, had been appointed instead to a military command upon the Danube. The 'Turkish Government was asked whether this was true, and of course denied it, but it now appears that the appointment had been made. Upon the urgent remonstrance of Mr. Layard, the Turkish Government recalled Chefket Pasha, and ordered him to Bagdad, where, of course, he will receive a profitable governorship. As Chefket Pasha had probably clear orders for all he did, the Pashas are naturally unwilling to desert their suc- cessful agent, but the calm contempt for Lord Derby displayed in the entire transaction should be carefully noted. His refusal to coerce Turkey, and his long efforts to reduce Russian action within the limits of a meaningless Protocol, have reduced British influence at Constantinople absolutely to nothing. He cannot even secure a mock trial of an officer, whom the Turkish Govern- ment, nevertheless, does not openly defend.
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