Backed by the approval of Germany, the modern Turks are no longer the despised nation they have been for so long. It has been the custom to speak of the Sultan as the "Unspeakable Turk" and "The Sick Man of Europe," whom the Powers were keeping alive until they had quite decided how to divide his possessions.
Turkey's success in Greece has changed all this.
Every one knew that the Turks could fight well, but it was the custom to treat them contemptuously, and say that after all they were "only Turks." The short war with Greece has put an end to this feeling for good and all. The Turks have proved themselves a powerful nation. They have won back their own self-respect, and have forced Europe to take a more respectful attitude toward them.
They have surprised the world with their bravery and their fine generalship; and there is beginning to be a good deal of fear lest this despised nation shall rise in its newly-found might, and dictate to Europe.
The Turks, despite their victory, are still the same shifty, cruel, unpleasant people; and the Powers must feel a good deal ashamed that the only result of their diplomacy has been to put fresh power into the hands of people who are a blot on the face of Europe, and who would much better have been driven back into Asia among peoples who are more in sympathy with their savagery and semi-barbarism.
But the Powers have now to deal gently with the Turk.
They have sent another message to the Sultan, demanding that hostilities cease while the terms of peace are being discussed. No reply was made to the Sultan's note, but the message stated that Europe would not allow Greece to be crushed.
It is said that if the Sultan persists in asking the unreasonable terms he does, and will not grant the armistice unless they are accepted, Europe will declare war upon him.
There may be another week of waiting before the Sultan sends any reply to this letter.
The Sultan is anxious to gain time, because every advantage he can gain in Greece makes his price for peace just that much higher. He has a plan of his own for gaining time, which is extremely annoying to Europeans. It is this. In the Mohammedan religion there are a great number of fasts and feasts. The Sultan, who till now has not been noted for his piety, has suddenly become the most religious of persons.