The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-10-01

interest upon the unredeemed portion of the loan
the hrst repayment TO be made in March, 1860. The
interest, at ak per cent, is to be charged ON the
general revenues of Turkey, and secured by the as
Segment Of customs and duties levied at CONSTANT
nople These terms would be exceedingly favorable
to the capitalists were the security unquestionable
but there is nothing more uncertain than Turkish
revenues, which annually exceeded by the ex-
pendures, and the most cruel extortion has hitherto
proved inadequate to mako both ends meet The
national debt is overwhelming, and it is increasing
year by year. 1t now amounts TO something like
Sl8I,ooo0OO; and recent investigation has revealed
the fact that in addition to this the outstanding debts
OF the Sultan's establishment have reached nearly
nifty millions of dollars for which the national treas
ury is responsible. The total revenues Of the en-
pire amount to about thirty millions Of dollars annu-
ally while the regular annual expenditures are over
forty millions In view Of these dscouraging facts,
the Grand yizier, Ali Pacha devised scheme Of
reform to which the Sultan gave his assent and
frman has been issued, in which the Sultan ex-
presses his regret and dissatisfaction at the reckless
expenditures Of the imperial household and orders
strict inquiry to be made into these abuses In rea
ton to these extravagant expenses the Constantine
pie correspondence Of Paris journal contains the
following curious facts
'sThe frman Of the Sultan has created an immense
sensation in Constantnope but every feels the ne
cossity for putting check the reckless extravaganza
of the Sultanas and the ladies of the palace also to
the exorons which the result of it, One Sultana
who has only been married year, has found means to
contract debts to the unt of forty millions of pases
This amount may appear extraordinary but all astonsh
ment will cease when it is mentioned that diamond
ring valued at the most at rs 900 pastres charged in
the books 1870 900 piastres, and that piano by Erard
worth 5000 francs was sold at the palace for 80 900
francs and for other articles. Very serious sus-
pcons weigh certain attendants Of the civil list The
nterrogaory of Eschref Efend first intendant of Ethem
Pacha law Of the Sultan, has already commenced
and it is said that several of the ntendants of the mpe
rial palace will undergo similar examinations =
On the 26th Of August, the Turkish new-year s
day, second 6rman promulgated, which orders
the reduction Of the number Of government employ
ees throughout the empire Salaries are to be re-
duced also, and many sinecures abolished. This,
however, is not 80 much reform it is compul-
sorry retrenchment. But will it avail anything? We
think not 1t may delay the crisis but it cannot save
Turkey. II is not 30 much the reduction of expen-
ditures as the increased capacity of the country for
the production of wealth that is needed-the devel-
opment Of industry by general education; and this,
under the Mohammedan system, is impossible. Nor
can that system be changed, unless by slow and
gradual process without annihilatng the existence
Of Turkey as an independent power. This must be
the inevitable result Of the present movements The
civilization Of Europe rolling on like the car Of Jug
gernaut will crush whatever lies in it's track. The
very steps which have been taken in behalf Of this
- IL
pending crisis. The effort to establish religious toll
Grafton there has aroused latent feeling of resist
ance in the Mahometan mind which will not be sup
pressed. The decree of the Sultan issued under the
influence of the Western Powers, that henceforth
all religions were to be equal in the eye Of the
law, seemed to promise the dawn of a new era
in Turkey ; but what is the result? While
the hitherto despised Christian holds his head
high in the streets of the Capital, in some re-
mote province Of the empire his fellow-relgion-
list is prosecuted by the Mohammedan popula
ton with increased rgor The Sultan, in endeavor-
ing to please his foreign advisers, loses the conf
dence of his own subjects, who suspect that he has
become recreant to their creed, and they mediate
treason against his rule Instead Of Christians ben
efting by the measures intended for their relief
they find that their lives are no longer safe. The
bombardment of Jeddah has produced great irrita-
ton, and the Presse dOricnt states that complete
panic had prevailed at Aleppo for three days. All
the Mussulmans had purchased arms and closed their
bazaars The city became almost deserted, but in
consequences Of the measures adopted by the author
tiles, these apprehensions were somewhat Gained
down. The Mussulmans, however, still continued
to arm themselves, and We're constantly insulting
the Christians. Similar occurrences were taking
place in other quarters It is stated that for years
past devout shieks whose zeal has been exalted by
pilgrimages to Mecca, have been traversing the
Asiatic provinces in Turkey in all drections to re-
store the faith of the people and excite their fanat
cism against Christians. In some towns they have
formed associations, and have enrolled numbers of
persons and of these associations has even been
established at Jerusalem.
The irritation against the Sultan among the in
mates Of the Serial was very great, and palace
olution seemed imminent What exasperated the
people most was the rumor of q cession or sale of
the island Of Gambia to the English at near period
A recent letter from Constantinople speaks of the
symptoms Of a conspiracy which have showed them
selves at Smyrna, and even at Constantinope itself
including Turks of standing and even government
dignitaries, though far as the latter were con-
rpa1 nl. -,