‘The strategic importance of the Euphrates valley railway’ [‎23] (200/204)

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ence to many of her provinces and their general concerns, circumstances
place her in such a position that we are entitled and, indeed, in many
cases, bound to entertain questions affecting her internal relations to her
people, such as it would be impertinent to entertain in respect to most
foreign countries. ... All that we can expect is that when she has
contracted legal'or moral engagements she should fulfil them, and that
when she is under no engagements she should lend a willing ear to
counsels which may be in themselves judicious, and which aim solely at
the promotion of her interests. ... As regards the justice of the case,
we must remember that as far as regards the stipulations of the Hatti-i-
Humaioun, we are not only entitled to advise Turkey in her own
interest, in her regard to humanity, in her sense of justice, in her desire
to be a civilized European power, to fulfil those engagements, but we
are also entitled to say to her that the fulfilment of those stipulations is
a matter of moral faith, an obligation to which she is absolutely bound,
and the disregard of which will entail upon her disgrace in the eyes of
Europe. . . . We are entitled to require from Turkey the execution
of her literal engagements."—(Debate on Crete and Servia. Mr. Gre
gory's motion for correspondence and Consular Reports on the Cretan
Insurrection, &c., as reported in the Evening Mail of Feb. 15-18,
1867.)
These memorable words deserve quotation the more, as throughout
the nearer East, especially among the Christian communities, England
still suffers under the imputation of not allowing the interests of Chris
tendom to weigh against her politics and her sympathy with the integrity
of the Turkish Empire. Even if we care little for the propagation of
Christianity, or for the regeneration of Asia, we are bound to see that
treaties do not become waste paper.
The first step to be taken in North Syria, and to be taken without
delay, would be to procure the recall and the pardon of the 12 unfortu
nates who were banished in 1870 to Tripoli of Barbary, and to Murzuk
in Inner Africa. This will be a delicate proceeding; imprudently
carried out it will inevitably cost the lives of men whose only offence has
been that of becoming Christians, and it will only serve to sink their
families into still deeper misery. But there should be no difficulty of
success. Our Consul-General at Tripoli could easily defend the lives if
not the liberties of the neophytes. Her Majesty's Ambassador Extra
ordinary and Plenipotentiary at Constantinople should be directed firmly
to demand that an officer of high rank be sent from head-quarters, and
that he should be made duly responsible for landing the exiles in safety
at Beyrout. Thence they should be transferred to Damascus ; their pre
tended offences should be submitted to a regular tribunal, whose action
would be watched by H. M's. Consul, and when publicly proved to be
innocent these men should be restored to the bosoms of their families,
whilst the police should be especially charged with their safety.
This step taken, the next will naturally be to urge the instant recall
of the unjust Wali or Governor-General of Syria, Mohammed Rashid