New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-10-20
THE OBSTACLES TO REFORM.

THE OBSTACLES TO REFORM.
AN IRREPREssIBLE CONFLICT BETWEEN MAHoM-
NETS TEACHINGS AND WESTERN CIVILIZATION
THE SULTAN rETrFRED BY HIS OBLIGATIONS AS
CALIPH-No COMPROMISE POSSIBLE.
IRON THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT or THE rRrBUSEl
CoNsTANTINoPLF, Oct. 1.-The Turkish Govern
ment seems to be senseIessly blind to the facts of
its position. Ii is bankrupt. It's public admlnistra
ton has been stigmatized by united Europe as
nuisance that must be abated It's subject races are
daily moro restive since they have learned how
they can force the action of Europe. The last OPP
portunity for REFORM accorded to Turkey by the
Treaty of Berlin, is clearly passing away. Yet the
Sublime Porte has done absolutely nothing to begin
the restoration of its financial soundncss, the re-
form of its administrations and that consolidation
of its power contemplated by the great Treaty.
The failure to act on the part of Turkey is COM
monty ascrbed to dIlatory policy adopted by the
sultan This in turn is supposed to be due to fear
that the introduction of European men and meth
DDS into the Turkish administration may limit the
Imperial prerorativcs. THIS fear doubtless exists
IN the mind of the Sultan as an argument against
reform II II was the principal cause of the Sui
tans delay to act. or. If his policy was simply a
dilaorv policy there might be- cause for hopo that
IN time these difficulties would be removed. But an
other cause exists for the seeming blindness of the
Sultan and his advisers. 1t Is easily overlooked. but
IT Is most potent. This is the practical disbelief of
the Sultan and his Ministers in the value of the
Christian civilization proposed for the acceptance
of Turkey. None OF the measures proposed for the
reform of Turkey could originate III the mind of
Mahomctan law-pivcr The equalization of faxes
between Moslrm- and Christians. the political equal
ity Of both classes in the matter of hold
ing Office the acceptance OF the test
mony of Christians for tine conviction
OF Mussumau-ail these and numbercss
other details vital 10 true reform in turkey are de
mands of Christian civilization. MoseWs do not
believe IN such measures II Facha seems 10 ac-
cent them rs desirable he Is sure 70 modify them IN
cx ufion lev depUving them of Their vital part
The reason of this IS that the principle OF equality
betweeu Noslem and non-Nloslcm Is directly con-
trarv to the teaching of the Koran. No Moslem
ruler can adopt the measures Of reform proposed
for Turkey without sacrificing his conscience under
the Koran. The measures ave Christian. measures
which a Moslem can only adopt under pressure of
superior force. II may Ice supposed that the Pachas
of Con~tautuople are only slightly controlled by
the Influence Of the Koran. They do not shine.
themselves, n religious wcn. perhaps. but they de-
rive their whole strength from religious nation.
They feel the power Oh RELIGIONS punllc OPINION.
The people prominently religious. They wor-
ship one truc God. They call themselves His hum
bic servants. They dcVoutiy wait upon Him for
tokens OF HIS mercy. Muitituic~ OF them occupy
thcil hours Of leisure of devotion ~ studying
the attainment Of the spiritual know ledge Of God.
The truth which is the foundation OF the Mos lem
religious life Is, There Is no God but Cod They
believe that the modern world has learned this
truth from the Koran alone To abandon the
Koran. winch teaches Gods truth 10 man, would be
a r,lap>c INTO idolatry. Yet the abandonment of
the Koran for reasons OF policy is the first contln-
pency involved in the adoption by Turkey of the
reform measures.
Moreover the reforms proposed awaken all oppo-
sition in the Turkish mind because theyare the out
come of Christian civilization. Moslems hate Chris
tiauity. They are obliged to do 50. With excep-
tions 80 rare as to attract only momcnfary atten-
tion the Christianity they have seen among them
for centuries is dcspicablc l. thing of rites and
ceremonies which covers its church walls with pic
lures that men may bow down and burn incense
before them. II is thing which SETS mp priest in
place Of God which bears no fruit in life. but
which sell, for gold absoluton for robbcrcs and
adulterics. Every time Moslcms look upon the
worship of the Christians who live among them, the
old iconoclasc fury of the Saracans rises in their
hearts. They hate Christianity because they re-
gard II n idoatrous and hostile 10 their cardinal
doctrine of the unity Of Cod That any measure for
the Improvement of the condition OF servants of the
One God can issue from part of the world which
believes in the worship of pictures ard of crosses
Moslems cannot admit. Yet the acceptance of
measures approved by ChriStendom Is what is eX-
pectcd of them 10y Europe.
The Turkish people may be seen 10 bc thus united
T. their old institutions bv bonds which enter their
innermoSt springs of action. Yet it may he eX-
pcctcd that the dread of catastrophe VIII force the
Sultan To act in accord with Europc i'm the matter
of reform But the sultan too j. bound to the old
institutions. He is the Imam of the Faithful and
Caliph of Islam before he is Sultan of Turkey. He
may not feel that Christian civilization Is opposed
to the doctrine Of Gods unity. But hc must feel
that the spirit of Christian civilization j. opposed
10 TIE spirit of Islami-In. And he Is hnund 10 de-
fend I~anisn against Christianity. He holds ms
rank ~ Caiph on tins condition. He II not Callph
hy right of descent. No blood If the family Of
korclsh runs IN his veins. When the first CallDl-
lost hermilif arv powcrthc doctors OF Moslcin law
decided that the Moslem chief best able 10 defend
Islam shonld be recognized as Caliph. - the Ca-
liphate passed 10 Bagdad, 10 Cairo. 10 konia aud
finally 10 Cousiautinople. Ii IS only while ne de-
frud, Islam that the sultan l. entitled Ia the rank
of Caliph ArV unholy bargain with Christian
law-makcrs which should ieppardzc thc supremacy
of the Koran in Turkey might cost the Sultan ms
throne. Keeping these facts IN view y VIII no
longer seem strange that the sultan and his MIN
listers adopt diatpry policy m reference 20 REFORM
The Government of Turkey D., not really blind 10 its
pnetion. IT, seeming blindness Is only del brratc
refusal If the remedy for is difficulties which was
offered by The Congress of Berlin. II IL deliberate
determination 10 maintain m Turkey the Moslem
SUPREMACY taught by tie Koran. Hence II is USE
less 10 expect an, real concessions from the sultan
I'm the direction of political equality Tor non-Mo,-
lens If thi- Is so the eNpectant attitude Of Lu-
rope is amaz up. Every month Of de'ay ~ only
leading ND To fresh internal disorder In Turkey.
Every f. : IA Il snrder viii surround with new DIM
cnlfcs the WORK of making "a nual end OF the last
ern Question