The New York herald., 1877-03-20

orm other functions necessary for the we'll being and
prosperity OF the State. But tho preparation OF all
Bills for tbe sanction OF the General Assembly are
placed In the hands Of special commissions
md, in fact the Parliament will merely ratfy
me measures laid before it by the advisers OF tho Sui
hn Among the prerogatives Of the Sultan the
'o'iowing:-Hc names and revokes the appointment OF
minister's he coniers grades and dccoraons he gves
invesure to the chiefs OF tho privileged provinces In
the form In which they have been conceded to them
nc can coin money; his name s pronounced In the
mosques during public prayer; he concludes treaties
with foreign powers; he commands the by land
md sea- he declares makes peacc he orders the
military movements; no executes tho .sacrcd" and
III other laws; he pardons criminals and RENTS
'ences; ho convokcs and prorogues tho General AS
scmby aud finally he dissolves, II he thinks necessary,
the Chamber OF Deputies but must proceed without
delay to order the reelection OF others.
RIRsr STUMBLING BLOCK.
This fundamental charters most extraordinary In
cident in Turkish history is declared-socures The
liberty and political equality OF all Ottomans before
the law; the responsibility OF the ministers; Para.
mentary control all departments of govern
mont; the complete independence OF tho
courts; the restoration OF financial to
sound basis and admin strative decentralization in the
provinces, whilc rcserviug decisive action to the
prone authority at C0nstantnoplc. No sooner, how
ever the constitution promulgated than emphatic
protests came from tho semiindependent Danubian
Principali.es. The government OF Roumana denied
beng considered OF The privileged provinces, as
claimed by tho Grand vizer, aud insisted that what
change the Porto might Introduce into internal
administration could not absorb political individuality
guaranteed by European treaties Roumania, 1t was
insisted, had always been state distinct IRON the
provinces and possessions of Turkey and It's sovereign
mr. ha al A. tho of m
man territorial district In any event the provisions
OF the charter TAR they affected tho Prncipaltes
we're pronounced null and void, and It plainly
mated that any attempt to enforce them would DO
sisted by force. Tho Grand vzier found II necessary
10 back down, and this part OF the constitution had
10 be abandoned. Hc announced that 1t "was not an
International transaction capable of having the effect
modifying treaties, of altering the conditions OF
political existence OF any Of the countries which form
an integral portion of the Ottoman Empire II must
suffice that the Sublime Porto alrms that tho status
of tho United Prncipaltes what 1t before
tho constitution promulgated" This declara.
tion, taken in connection with the follow ing
II tho first article Of tho charter:-Tho
Ottoman Empire comprises the actual countries and
possessions and the privileged provinces 1t forms
ind;vsble whole, OF which no part, TOR any
whatever bo detached and leads TO the impression
that tho whole thing has been brought forward
excuse to put Off tho evil day distant possible.
Indeed us far as reform Is concerned, tho constitution
Is regarded by the Powers much waste paper.
ELECTION OF DEPUTIES.
The election Of delegates to the Lower House COM
mcnced early January. Tho ignorance OF the rural
population, which has to be educated in parliamentary
representation, became at evident, and 1t was
found necessary to promulgate a provisional law to
meet the difficulty. In numerous places short and
aacv mo thodS oLo ,oolfa ala
three Turks. and directed the Greek Bishop elect
two Greeks and the jewish rabbi TO choose Jew in
district But in other localities the selection OF
members was far more in favor Of Moslem interests
1t Is so arranged that there Will always be- directly
indirectly, Mussulman majority In the Chamber of
Deputies. SO 1t is difficult to consider this reform
when applied TO tho Christian population. The attri-
bucs OF the Sultan spiritual head of the established
religion fully recognized in the constitution and
the dispositions OF tho Sher-the sacred given
In the Koran-are always to be respected enforced
The great boon of cautonneI seigovernment home
rule the Provinces Is LETT to be arranged
hereafter. and 1t Is feared that after all the
condition of the Christian subjects OF the
Porte will not bc amelioratod in any way, II tho
provisions of the constitution carried the
letter. 1t may be said that II tho sultans government
really believe that this will prove Satisfactory
to tho Western Powers II is greatly in No
6dence s placed in its being ablc To effect any good
Its promulgation and operation will in way affect
tho issues of peace or war; but the world will take
some interest in watching the working of the expert
Inent that its real work to-day Turkish
capital Whatever may be the opinion of the Powers
interested In the welfare OF the Christian subjects of
the Sultan relative 10 the measure the Grand vizier
ndulges in grandiloquent language in speaking Of the
blessings 1t Is to bring down on Ottomans OF all
gracious sovereign has degned to grant US, sub
limo Work, which will cause HIS Majesty to be
great reiorme OF the empire and the regenera
tor OF his nation. II will naugurate a now era
Of durable prosperity for all the Ottoman subjects
who live under the eeis of ono tho sovereign
and who have just received with the greatest union
and the best concord tho real rights of liberty. Our
compatriots ought then naturally felcitatc themselves
on having the honor of being counted among tho
well-belovcd subjects OF sovereign SO enlightened
ours" II is only necessary to add that the upper
chamber being the creation OF the government will be
largely composed of Mohammedans and Of course in.
disposed to do justice to the Christ inns.
THE MOUNT ARAFAT
1t daily begins to look as II the Russian advance
would be made simultaneously, II made AZ ALL across
the Pruth and through Asac Turkey. The readers of
tho HERALD will recall the as laid down several
mOntus ago. Auo great ARMY AT IlHls Is
constant menace to the whole loslem popula-
ton of Asialic Turkey. Advices from Erzroom,
the principal city Of Armenia of Turkeys largest
Asiatc subdivisions as ato March 6, show that the
authorities there were displaying much activity in
preparations for the contingency of war between Rus.
sa ana Turkey. There ccssant movement OF
troops toward tho Russian frontier The re.
serves OF the Fourth Army corps had been
called out for service. The regulars numbered
SO, 900 men, exclusive Of IL, 900 stationed at
Batoun. Tho fortress Of Kars strongly garrisoned
Ardahan, a few miles north of Kars, held by
90, ,OC0 troops Turkish forces concentrating TO
resist any Russian advance on Erivan. rhe second
limo Of defence at saghaneo was strongly fortified
The number Of Russian troops on the frontier was
estimated at 10000. Rcinforcemcnts arrived daily
for the Turkish forces from Tns
THE VALUE A SIGNATURE.