The Balkan Question - The Present Condition of the Balkans and of European Responsibilities #249094

The condition of the Turkish Empire, a matter which formerly affected only the neighbouring States of Austria, Hungary, Poland, and Russia, has now for a century or more become an important factor in the general politics of Europe, and a source of great concern to Great Britain. Once, in 1853, it dragged us into a war to defend the Turks against Russia. Since that time it has thrice — in 1876 (at the time of the Bulgarian massacres), in 1885 (when Eastern Rumelia insisted on uniting herself to Bulgaria), and in 1895 (when nearly Armenians were massacred in Asia Minor) — become a menace to the peace of Europe. Yet, often as the attention of Englishmen has been called to the misdeeds of the Turk and the miseries of his subjects, few Englishmen understand those.