He gives as his reason for doing so that the Armenian National Festival is about to occur, and he is afraid of an outbreak that would cause fresh Armenian troubles.
The Turks have, however, set their hearts on regaining Thessaly, and the Sultan will have hard work to appease them if he agrees to the terms of the Powers. If he refuses, the Powers may declare war upon him.
It also seems likely that there may be trouble over Thessaly with the religious element. The Sultan has been informed by one of the old Sheiks, or Chiefs, that it is the will of Allah (the Moslem word for God) that Thessaly shall be reunited to Turkey.
If he listens to this, the followers of Mohammed may rise, and, unfurling the banner of the prophet, sweep over Thessaly, and take it from the hands of the Greeks, putting every one who opposes them to the sword.
Should the Sultan disregard this statement it is possible that the people may rise against him and demand a new Sultan.
Notwithstanding his successes, the Sultan is not lying on a bed of roses.
The Fur Seal question is being very actively discussed on all sides, and many interesting facts have been brought to light in connection with it.
Mr. David Starr Jordan, the President of the Leland Stanford University, wrote a very fine article on the subject which appeared in The Forum last month.