But from about the beginning of the reign of the present German Emperor, German or rather Prussian diplomacy had been going quietly about its work.  It was worth while to study the psychology of the Turks, because dimly then, but with ever-increasing distinctness, Germany foresaw that Turkey might be a counter of immense importance in the great conflict which was assuredly drawing nearer, though as yet its existence was but foreshadowed by the most distant reflections of summer lightning on a serene horizon.  But if Turkey was to be of any profit to her, she wanted a strong Turkey who could fight with her (or rather for her), and she had no use for the Sick Man whom the other Powers were bent on keeping alive, but no more.  Her own eventual domination of Turkey was always the end in view, but she wanted to dominate not a weak but a strong servant.  And her diplomacy was not less than brilliant simply from the fact that on the one hand it soothed Turkey instead of irritating, and, on the other, that it went absolutely unnoticed for a long time.  Nobody knew that it was going on.  She sent officers to train the Turkish army, well knowing what magnificent material Anatolia afforded, and she had thoroughly grasped the salient fact that to make any way with Oriental peoples your purse must be open and your backshish unlimited.  ’There is no God but backshish, and the Deutsche Bank is his prophet.’

For years this went on very quietly, and all over the great field of the Ottoman Empire the first tiny blades of the crop that Germany was sowing began to appear.  To-day that crop waves high, and covers the whole field with its ripe and fruitful ears.  For to-day Turkey is neither more nor less than a German colony, and more than makes up to her for the colonies she has lost and hopes to regain.  She knows that perfectly well, and so do any who have at all studied the history and the results of her diplomacy there.  Even Turkey itself must, as in an uneasy dream, be faintly conscious of it.  For who to-day is the Sultan of Turkey?  No other than William II. of Germany.  It is in Berlin that his Cabinet meets, and sometimes he asks Talaat Bey to attend in a strictly honorary capacity.  And Talaat Bey goes back to Constantinople with a strictly honorary sword of honour.  Or else he gives one to William II. from his soi-disant master, the Sultan, or takes one back to his soi-disant master from his real master.  For no one knows better than William II. the use that swords of honour play in deeds of dishonour.

The object of this chapter is to trace and mount the hewn and solid staircase of steps by which Germany’s present supremacy over Turkey was achieved.