NOTES.—In his Mansion House speech, Nov. 9, 1895, Lord Salisbury, responding to a wide-spread demand for the overthrow of the Turkish power, said: “Turkey is in that remarkable condition that it has now stood for half a century, mainly because the great powers of the world have resolved that _for the peace of Christendom it is necessary that the Ottoman Empire should stand_. They came to that conclusion nearly half a century ago. I do not think they have altered it now. _The danger_, if the Ottoman Empire fall, would not merely be the danger that would threaten the territories of which that empire consists; _it would be the danger that the fire there lit should spread to other nations, and should involve all that is most powerful and civilized in Europe in a dangerous and calamitous contest_. That was a danger that was present to the minds of our fathers when they resolved to make the integrity and independence of the Ottoman Empire a matter of European treaty, _and that is a danger_ WHICH HAS NOT PASSED AWAY.” “The Balkan, or Near Eastern, question has been one of the most complicated political problems of the world’s history for half a century. ... For four centuries and a half, or ever since the conquering Turk crossed the Bosporus and took Constantinople, the grim contest has been on to dislodge him by war and diplomacy.”—_American Review of Reviews, November, 1912._ Nearly a century ago, Napoleon, while a prisoner on St. Helena, explained that when emperor of France, he would not consent for Alexander, the czar of Russia, to have Constantinople, “foreseeing that the equilibrium of Europe would be destroyed.” 9. What is the divine prediction regarding the future and final downfall of the king of the north? “And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas _in the glorious holy mountain: yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him_.” Dan. 11:45. NOTE.—It would seem natural that the Ottoman government should make its last stand at Jerusalem. Around the city of the Holy Sepulcher and the tombs of the “saints” has been waged for long years a war between the followers of Islam and the believers in the Christian religion. In this place, many Bible students believe, Turkey will come to her end in fulfilment of this scripture. 10. Under which of the seven last plagues is the water of the Euphrates (Turkey) to be dried up, and for what purpose? “And _the sixth angel_ poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was _dried up, that the way of the kings of the East might be prepared_.” Rev. 16:12. NOTE.—For years the drying-up process of the Turkish Empire has been in progress, as may be seen from the following:—