THE GERMAN EMPEROR AND HIS PROGRESSIVE POLICY.
But while the status quo is being preserved in European Turkey by Austrian and Russian influence, "some very interesting developments have been going forward in Asia Minor. It is now at least twenty years," says Mr. Brice, "since the idea of possible German action in that region presented itself to forecasting minds, though under the regime of Bismarck, who was severely practical and averse to new or speculative enterprises, little or nothing was done to push forward such action. By degrees, however, German officers began to be engaged to reform the army system of the Turks, and German capitalists were found at Constantinople pressing for, and before long obtaining, concessions for railways, for mines, and for other large industrial enterprises." All this has been pleasing to Emperor William, who "has encouraged his subjects to embark their capital in Turkey, seeing in this another market for German industry and another field for German enterprise." While his people have been investing their capital in Turkey, the German Emperor has not been an idle spectator. "His courtesies to Abdul Hamid," remarks Mr. Brice, "which caused some surprise in 1895 and 1896, and which culminated in his visit to that monarch in November, 1898, have usually been attributed to this motive." But whatever the motives of the Germans, their success in a business way has been well-nigh phenomenal. "They have quite superseded the English, who used to play the leading part in the commercial and industrial affairs of the Turkish Empire." The reason assigned for the great change is that "ever since the taking of Cyprus by the English government in the days of Lord Beaconsfield, and the vehement condemnation of Turkish cruelties by Mr. Gladstone, England has been the Power most odious to the Sultan, while since the Armenian massacres of 1895-6 it has been recognized that there can be no more of such protection given to the Sultan by the English as was given in the old days when England thought it essential to her interests to check the approach of Russia toward Constantinople." Occupying this vantage ground, and receiving "from their Ambassador that diplomatic support which is essential in an Eastern court, they have shown great energy, especially in projecting railways. Recently a concession has been granted to them for extending the railway from Constantinople to Angora, already built by German capital, farther out south-eastward from across the center of Asia Minor and through Mesopotamia to the Persian Gulf."