The always uneasy jealousy of France and Russia was at once aroused,
England, in this instance, not taking any decided stand in affairs.
England had spent many lives and much money, notably in the Crimean
War, to keep Russia out of Turkey and was averse to encouraging
Russo-French influences at the Sublime Porte. How far England would
like either Germany or France to acquire control of the Dardanelles
remains to be seen. With Russia, it has been bloody wars and grim
struggles since the days of Catherine, misnamed the Great, to
gaincontrol of the Dardanelles. Unceasing intrigues have been and are
still going on in Stamboul. Russia's influence has been steadily
undermined by Germany, in Turkey and Asia Minor. Since the disastrous
campaign against Japan, Russia has made strenuous efforts to recoup
her sphere of influence through her coalition of the principal Balkan
States. Of this you will learn later.

Germany, always including Austria (the external policy of both
countries on all these questions is synonymous), found French-Russian
influences at work. Through their marvelous, efficient Intelligence
System, Germany soon learned who were the prime movers and puppets; in
this instance the Grand Vizier and the Seraglio officers; the then
sultan, Abdul Hammid, "The Damned," being completely cowed and under
the thumb of his Grand Vizier, could not be relied on for a moment.
After my mission they knew in Germany that the time was ripe for a
radical change, and they engineered it. Result: A revolution and the
Young Turks in power, with Enver Bey, Tuofick Pasha, Ibrahim Mander
Bey and similar men, with German training and learning, directing
affairs. Germany regained complete sway and is to-day easily the most
powerful influence in Turkey. What significance this has on the
general bearing of European politics, I shall discuss in a later
chapter.