Ramsay, William Mitchell: Impressions of Turkey during twelve years' wanderings (London, 1897)

148 PAST AND PRESENT

active policy in Turkey ; it desired to be quit of the
whole business as easily as possible, and with the
smallest amount of responsibility. So began the
wearisome farce of notes presented to the Porte
by the six ambassadors of the Great Powers of
Europe. But behind the notes there was no
strong compelling hand; Britain had resolved not
to act; and no one else was likely to do so.
British activity was henceforth limited to urging
the Powers to present notes; and the Powers were
willing to present notes, which meant nothing, and
had no more result than occasionally to irritate
the Porte, and to keep before its mind the British
offence. Meanwhile the Armenians knew that the
notes urging on the Porte the necessity of " doing
something " in Armenia were due to the insistence
of the British ambassadors, and continued to hope
that at last Britain would act; but they failed to
see that the more they looked to Britain, the more
was the face of Russia hardened against them.
The Sultan put the notes in the fire, flouted the
English in every way, showed special honour to
every one whom the British consuls had marked
for dishonour, and, naturally, was aided by those
Powers whose influence in Turkey grew as British
influence waned. No one knew better than the
Sultan that the other Great Powers would do
nothing against him so long as he was working