The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-04-21
IMPORTANT FROM TURKEY--THE NEW PRO-
POSITIONS OF THE GEAR.

MP RTANT FROM TURKEY--THE NEW PRO-
POSITIONS OF THE GEAR.
From the London Times, April IL
When we stated yesterday that the changes now IN
troduced in the Ottoman empire by the influence of the
Powers which have allied themselves for its defence
amount to revolution in its social condition, did
not foresse the striking confirmation Of this remark
which reached us few hours later by the telegraph.
We are informed by y communication from Constan-
tinorle dated the 9th of March, that the possessions IF
te mosques are 10 BE- declared the property IF the State and
that The refusal Of the SheLt-oIsldns to to this
measure 1Gs tie cause Of his depositio II this statement
be correct is beyond all comparison the important
resolution taken by the Turkish since the
destruction OF the Rnissares for it is measure from
which Sultan Mahmoud himself recoiled, though he had
often cont lated it OF the most essential condi
lions OF tho regeneration Of the empire. In fact
sure contrary to the preudces Of the Mussulmans and
the interests OF the Ulemas could hardly have been At
tempted with any chance Of safety to the Sultan his
ministers unless he had the support Of considerable
force in the immediate neighbohood of the capital and
even now shall not be surprised to learn that coup
dsas Of this description has been followed by CITATION
and excitement among the Mussulman population.
The mosques and religious foundations Of the Ottoman
empire form important spiritual corporations exercising
an ndspsndent, legal and theocratical power in the
State The ulemas masters of the law and tho Ko.
the sole Of the wealth belonging
to these foundations and at the time the ex
Founders Of the faith and fundamental laws Of Islam
they enjoy authority to which the highest powers in
the state have been compelled to bow The insecurity
Of property under arbitrary government and many
other causes have induced Turkish landowners from
generation to generation 10 assign the fee simple Of
their estates to the mosques roServng only the usuruct
descendants.
thus held BY tho mosques religious corporations be-
came r0cof So It is termed in India ,1,lJ and is
held for in mortman. Such lands have hitherto
been exempt from taxation and personal conscaon and
this tenure has increased and extended by the
influence Of duration and security in empire where
all other property is uctuating and insecure that full
three quarters OF the soil Of the Turkish domnioAs are
said to be held in this manner. To dspossess these
powerful corporations Of landed properly which they
have hello for centuries by tho twofod bond of legal
usage and religious veneratlon-to the direct
authority Of the Sultan ever so large portion Of the
lands OF the empire third OF which allotted to
the mosques by Mahomet the Conqueror-and to defy
the whole power which the Ulemas aud religious orders
may be able to put forth in defence of their vested
rights is certainly OF the boldest measures ever
taken in great emergency.
But entertain doubt that this resumption Of
lands is indispensable preliminary the real reform
tory, every Christian State has undergone it. and the
yat possessions which the superstition the rapacy Of
former ages placed in the hands Of the church have been
restored TO the common Of society The social revo
luton which is being effected In Turkey by the emanci
patton Of the Chrstians and the establishment of
principle Of equality between all and religions of
tho empire led oy an inevitable consequence the abo
lton OF the exclusive supremacy which the Mussumans
have hitherto exercised over the largest portion of tho
soil except in the Archipelago and in the provinces from
which they are excluded by treaty, And, although
changes Of this nature are never ACCOMPLISHED without
the dangers and sursrngs nssparable from revolution
the future strength and nde OF Turkey depend
on the introduction Of system totally distinct from
verge IL dissolution.
We are told that the last message received at Berlin
by Prince George OF heoklenbug is to the effect that
TIE Emperor aiu etGeasye he Princpaies uheneper tho
Hotern io'eers hare claimed from The TURKS by treaty
the e1ancs, di n u The Christian p0pulaton The Western
Pours hoce sought lille possible to 6nd the Porte by
treaty c1y such conditions and ii is not necessary for
their object that the concessions made 10 the Christians
should be the result Of any compact with foreign gov
srnment but, as matter of fact the Porte has already
conceded infinitely to its Christian subjects the
friendly representations Of the allied Powers than it
COZ Id Rave granted to the nsnaces Of Russia and
II The emperor Nicholas dspc to make the enamel
patton Of The Christians the test OF peace war he may
OF withdraw from the principatics he ha invaded
since we have gained more for the Christians Of the East
by defending the rights Of Turkey than he claimed by
attacking them. We cannot however regard the propo-
sails last forwarded TO Eelin BY the Prince of ecklen-
burg serious or honest overture and we fear they
intended 10 serve very different purpose. The object Of
the court or Russia Is possible to detach Prussia and
Austria altogether from the alliance Of the Western Pow
and TO induce them to ropudae the principles
Vienna. 10 accomplish his purpose the most obvious
course is TO put forward proposition OF peace sui
ciently plausible TO enable the German Powers to
make 1t pretext for them To- desert the interests of
Europe, though not Sufficiently real and mpur ant
to arrest tho operations Of tile Western Powers.
such proposition has accordingly been sent 10 Perrin
where, have strong reason 10 believe b5h the King
Of Prussia and his Minister Wd'chno Joy an oppor.
fssnr n eade eaSraness GRIN by Item only Iar icct
10 ne ChdmtG and 70 bGy ne co,G nee w,ch has been
rnduly PLACID IA those assurance Jg The representatives. Of
tie feo2e 1t is, however, in Eern only and not in
Vienna that these scandalous ntrgues OF the Russian
party arc carried on With activity and for the
language and attitude OF the Court Of Austria towards
Russia and towards the Western Powers continue to be
totally different from that OF Prussia and the very exist
ence Of Germany as independent nation depends on
ue triumph 81 the principles to which Austria adheres
over tie base and shortgh'od views Of the Court Of
CharotieEburg. No language which could with pro-
pfioiy employ would adequately describe the policy of
the King Of Prussia, and regret to add that Baron
hanienel IN whom we we're for some time disposed to
place confidence haa incurred strong suspicion OF au
pcity and bad faith which are tie dsgraceful
tley are directly opposed to he course lie proessed at
no Us ant period Lis hIm uton TO pursue Wa had
butw w