The British Government has either succeeded or failed at Constantinople,
according to its unrovealed intentions. It has certainly succeeded, if it be success to irritate all Turks until they declare the British worse than the Russians ; but then it is so lacking in foresight, that it may not have meant that. It has certainly failed, if it be failure to be baffled in securing any guarantee for reforms better than a Turkish pro- mise ; but then it is so lacking in insight, that it may wish for more Turkish promises. All that has been obtained by the recent effort and the threat of moving the Fleet, which, however, was not ordered from home to move, is that Baker Pasha has been appointed to superintend reforms in Asia Minor. This concession is described as if Baker Pasha were appointed Viceroy, in which case the Government would be responsible for all the acts of an official dismissed her Majesty's Service ; but as he is carefully excluded in the iracle from executive power, and is only to report direct to the Sultan, who neither will, nor can, read his reports, and as he cannot form a gendarmerie without Osman Pasha's con- sent, which will not be given, his appointment has not much signification. The whole business is a muddle, the Government having gone forward bravely, but shrunk back the moment they saw force would be required. They will do anything but act.
