But this is as far as they have got.

"You may lead a horse to the water, but you cannot make him drink." The
various powers of Europe are learning that this is a very true saying.

They have decided upon the reforms that Turkey ought to make, but they are
as puzzled as they can be to know how they are going to make the Sultan
order these reforms.

Germany, France, Italy, Austria, England, and Russia have been discussing
the matter for weeks.

They have been saying among themselves, "What on earth are we going to do
if Turkey flatly refuses to make any reforms at all?"

This is the European conundrum.

The consequence is, that the full list of reforms has not yet been given
to the Sultan.

All the powers are feeling that it is of no use to tell him what they
insist shall be done, until these same powers have made up their minds
what they are going to do, if he tells them all to go away and mind their
own business.

England suggests that, if the Sultan refuses, they shall call out their
soldiers and sailors, and fight him till they make him obey.

Russia is unwilling that the Sultan should be forced to do what he does
not wish to do.