DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4752#0164
154 PAST AND PRESENT
Armenians was from the first always of such a
character as would be most certain to strengthen
Armenian gratitude towards England, and tend
to make the Armenian people a bar against the
development of Russian influence along the south
coast of the Black Sea. This is not a question
merely of the last two or three years ; it entered
on the present phase when a Liberal govern-
ment came into power in April, 1880, and pro-
ceeded to reverse our whole action in Turkey,
abandoning our strong position, and throwing away
our advantages. In order to shirk responsibility,
they began to hide behind the " Concert of Europe,"
hoping that the other Powers would act with
them ; but the majority had everything to gain
by thwarting us, and they naturally declined to
play our game. Thus Britain gave Russia and
Turkey the opportunity which they were eager to
use, and opened the way for the great development
of German influence, which has been the most
striking feature in my experience of Turkish life.
British statesmen have had a very difficult part to
play in the last three years, since the question
reached its acutest stage, and they have played it
with uniform ill-success. But it is certain that
nothing is gained by keeping up the sham which is
at present maintained before our country; and the
beginning of any better state of things in Turkey
Armenians was from the first always of such a
character as would be most certain to strengthen
Armenian gratitude towards England, and tend
to make the Armenian people a bar against the
development of Russian influence along the south
coast of the Black Sea. This is not a question
merely of the last two or three years ; it entered
on the present phase when a Liberal govern-
ment came into power in April, 1880, and pro-
ceeded to reverse our whole action in Turkey,
abandoning our strong position, and throwing away
our advantages. In order to shirk responsibility,
they began to hide behind the " Concert of Europe,"
hoping that the other Powers would act with
them ; but the majority had everything to gain
by thwarting us, and they naturally declined to
play our game. Thus Britain gave Russia and
Turkey the opportunity which they were eager to
use, and opened the way for the great development
of German influence, which has been the most
striking feature in my experience of Turkish life.
British statesmen have had a very difficult part to
play in the last three years, since the question
reached its acutest stage, and they have played it
with uniform ill-success. But it is certain that
nothing is gained by keeping up the sham which is
at present maintained before our country; and the
beginning of any better state of things in Turkey