Though the Turks seem undoubtedly to have been sur- prised
by the swiftness of the advance of the Allies (a proof of the great advantage which rests with the attack), it may well be that in the course of the next few days they will rally—the Turks are never more formidable than after a beating—and will deliver a severe blow to their assailants. Again, even if they do not do this, it is quite on the cards that the Turks may fall back to a position almost at the gates of Constantinople, and, with the waters of the Black Sea on one flank and of the Sea of Marmora on the other, put up their last great fight in Europe. They have always declared that if the Ottoman Empire is to go out it will go out in blood and fire. The case we are imagining would be one very suitable for the intervention of the Great Powers. We do not believe, as we have said before, that any of the Allies seriously desires to attempt the tremendous task of holding Constantinople, with its vast and fanatical population, nor do we believe that they could agree who should possess it.
If, therefore, such a situation arises as we have imagined the Allies might be glad to give up the final attack on terms, and before they had becdme utterly exhausted by victories too dearly bought. Such speculations as these, however, though interesting, are clearly premature, and might be entirely upset by the events of the next few days.
