I.  First then, WHAT DO WE SEE?

Do we not see the complete, and, as far as man can judge, the final overthrow of the uncontrolled dominion of the Ottoman Empire?  The result of the Berlin treaty is that, although the form is preserved, the dominant power of the Ottoman Empire is at an end.

Look first at Europe as re-arranged by the treaty of Berlin.  If you compare the new map of Turkey in Europe with the map before the commencement of the war you will find that it is not one third of the size.  Montenegro, Servia, and Roumania are no longer tributary States; Bulgaria north of the Balkans is independent of Turkey; Bosnia and Herzegovina are virtually transferred to Austria; and a considerable portion of Thessaly is handed over to Greece.  Then again the position of the remnant that is left is entirely changed.  The New Roumelia is to have an independent administration.  The remainder of Thessaly, Thrace, Macedonia, and Crete, are all to be placed under constitutional government, to be arranged with the concurrence of the great powers of Europe.  The power to oppress is therefore at an end, and as far as man can judge, for ever.  The Ottoman was let loose from the Euphrates as a scourge on Apostate Christendom.  He has done his work, though not for God’s glory, and is now laid aside by the same hand that raised him up.  He was appointed for a given time, and a given work, but now that time is expired, that work is done, and he is wasting under his predicted doom.

But how is it in Asia?  Let the treaty between the Porte and England answer the question.  In that treaty, p. 6and in the letter of the Secretary of State explaining its object, there is the clear recognition of the complete defencelessness of the Turkish Empire.  The treaty was made because there was no power of self defence left in the Ottoman, or in other words, because the Euphratean flood was almost dry.

The very existence of the treaty is therefore a proof that the power of self-support is gone.  But that is not all, or nearly so.  According to the treaty, England makes itself responsible for a complete reform in Turkish administration.  Turkey in Asia is henceforth to be governed, if not as an English protectorate, at all events under English counsel.  Is it possible to imagine a greater proof of Turkish decay?  If there were any life left, would the haughty Turk submit to such conditions?  If he did not know that he was helpless, would he ever have consented to such terms?  The conditions of the treaty are a self-evident proof of his loss of power.  But that is n............