The quarrel between France and Turkey has advanced two steps
further. August 31st was the fete-day of the Sultan, when all the Embassies offer congratulations, but Constans having departed, no French substitute for him attended in his place, an omission which announces the quarrel to all Con- stantinople. On September 3rd, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs having held his interviews with M. Constans, attended a Cabinet Council, and after the meeting an official notice was sent to the Press announcing that as the Sultan had made engagements some of which had not been kept, the French Ambassador had received orders to quit Constan- tinople, and the Turkish Ambassador in Paris had been noti- fied that his presence "had no longer any object." The Times correspondent hints that much stronger measures are under consideration, including a naval demonstration, but the next move lies with the Sultan, who, it is said, is asking the Great Powers to mediate in the affair. They will probably advise him to yield; but it is by no means certain that opinion in Constantinople will allow of simple submission, and if he continues to resist, coercion or media- tion will become imperative. The affair grows in importance, for, as we have endeavoured to show elsewhere, retreat has become difficult for either party.
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