File 3579/1916 'Turkey: the future of Constantinople' [‎50r] (108/530)

I imagine that her pre^ nce in ‘Surope muet have had an **normoufl
effect in augmenting the prestige and power of Islam throughout the
world, ond in giving encouragement to th** creed of Pan-Islam
about which we have heard so mach in recent times.
Another point that the advocates of the expulsion of the Turk
lay great stroec upon — and it appeals to me very strongly **- is
this. Just as Byzantium-in the old days of the Eastern Homan
Empire was a sink of corruption and iniquity unparalleled in the
ancient world, so undoubtedly is Constantinople today. St&mbul
in the hands of tho Turks has been not only the hotbed of every sort
of Eastern vice but it has really been the source from which the
poison cf corruption and intrigue has spread far and wide into
Europe itself. The presence of the Turks at Constantinople has
been an ulcer in the side of Europe. If we could got rid of them,
if 7/0 could agree on the "bag and baggage" policy of Mr.
Gladstone and remove them to tht* other side, we should all feel,
that a kind of miasma had disappeared from the atmosphere of
Europe. Further their removal would immensely encourage the
progress o$the Balkan communities to the bigger future that lies
before them. If, on the other hand, Turkey remains in any capacity
you will always feel that in the background the old system is
struggling again into existence, the kind of thing that Aodul
Hamid brought/'perfection in the course of his long and bloodstained
career, and which there is a glorious opportunity of getting rid
of for over.
It is also to be remembered that if she goe'3 it would probably
be the very bast thing that could happen to herself and to her own
people. Those who know the Turk in hio own highlands in Asia
Minor and elsewhere always speak of him with rerrpect as a simple-
minded worthy fellow who dislikes as much as anybody &lse the
eyst-m of corruption and intrigue that goes on at headquarters, who
would much pr*f*r living his own simple *xist*nc<* detached from
Europe and all governing influences altogether.
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