Mr. Asquith commenced with a long speech on the release
of the dynamitards, the pith of which is that the release was quite right if the prisoners' health was the real reason ; and then proceeded to Armenia. He stated his belief that exter- mination was "a settled policy "—note that no well-informed man now doubts this—and admitted his conviction that under the Convention of 1878 Great Britain was specially bound to prevent such a crime. He would therefore ask Europe to apply force to the Sultan with the object of deposing him. Less than this would be of no use whatever. Great Britain, Mr. Asquith says, fully intended to do so, but at the point when the use of force became essential Russia and France signified unmistakably that their resistance would be active. The crucial question now is, therefore, whether we can induce Russia to modify that attitude. He thought that Russia now perceived the danger, and began to recognise the disinterestedness of this country, and that therefore some action might be taken without reopening the whole Eastern question or commencing a crusade. He would, in conjunction with Russia, lay "a firm foundation" for the good government of the Christians of Turkey. Mr. Asquith did not suggest how this was to be done, and leaves on our minds the impression that, while heartily philanthropic, he does not fully realise the situation. Failing a partition, no one can protect the Christians except a Sultan at once strong and benevolent ; and where are we to find him P The first truth we have to face is that Abd-ul-Hamid has reopened the whole Eastern question, and that the Powers must close it before there can be order.
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