The demand which Turkey now makes of Greece is that
she shall arrange with the Porte the disposal of the 2Egean islands. Turkey definitely claims certain islands, which were captured by the Greeks, as necessary for the defence of the coast of Asia Minor and of the Dardanelles, and insists that autonomy should be granted to others. It must be pointed out that this demand by Turkey is not merely a challenge to Greece; it is a challenge to the Powers who, when the Treaty of London was negotiated, expressly reserved to themselves the duty of assigning the islands to their future owners. Turkey, of course, assumes that as the Powers have done nothing so far to prevent their diplomatic labours in London from being qultified, they will not move now. She knows, moreover, that Greece has become unpopular since the second Balkan war, said she knows that some of the Powers are avowedly opposed to Greek ownership of islands too near the mainland. Both Turkey and Greece have appealed to the Powers, and both are making preparations for war. The Greeks recognize that a single-handed war with Turkey is not to be thought of lightly. But if the Turks were wise they would see that they stand to lose more than anyone in the long run by heavy military expenditure from which there is no hope of a profit- able return. So long as Turkey fixes her attention on Europe and the 2Egean, so long will the rehabilitation of her empire be delayed. if her illusion continues too long, rehabilitation will become impossible.
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