Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-08-31

no administrative process in Turkey oy
which unheard thousands are sent to hell
worse than that described by Dantes. i
mean to Siberia"
"As one of the best illustrations Of the
kiud-heartedness of the Sultan" continued
Mr.. Straus, 'not single person has been
executed during his reign. In turkey All
executions have to have his sanction. he
has repeatedly refused it, and he commutes
the sentences Of the worst of criminals TO not
exceeding 10 years imprisonment. he Is q
very humane man, and this is evidenced oy
the fact that whenever there is famine OF
any distress in his empire he always sends
considerable sum from his own private purse
to the sufferers.
THE JoHNsrowN DISASTER.
Gas an evidence of his kindness of heart
at the time of the Johnstown disaster, mad
an audience with him on some diplomatic
matters. He expressed his sorrow at the
trouble of our citizens, and begged to be al
lowed to give small sum to aid in their re-
lie. The next day he sent me A2OO, or
81. 600. and believe he is the onlv monarch
who extended sympathy 10 us at that time In
such a substantial manner"
"1s the Sultan a man of abilityY
SIN the first place the Sultan" replied
Mr.. Strsus, probably expends more care,
anxiety, time and attention upon his duties,
as the ruler of the Empire than any other
monarch of Europe. He is indefatigable,
and his Ministers are frequently summoned
to the -palsce at midnight to confer with him
upon some question Of State. All important
matters pass under his hand. His tendencv
is to assume power and work to too great an
extent, rather than too little. Everything
-. L., roI 10 ha fnn
of his work to subordinates. He tries to in
form himself upon all subjects, but he has
to RELY upon the information be receives
through the various channels of the Govern
ment"
LOOKS LIKE JAY GOULD.
''Tell me how the Sultan looks?"
"The Sultan is man of about As years of
age" replied our ex-Minister to Turkey,
'faud he looks very like jay Gould. He
has pale complexion and black beard and
moustache, and Jet black hair. He is of an
extremely ! modest appearance, and he
speaks only the Turkish tongue. in slow
deliberate manner, aud IN quiet. subiued
tome He has mild and pleasant eve, and
be places those whom he likes at their inn
mediate ease. His manners, while reserved,
are kind and cordial.
"What is to be the future of Turkev?
question, and depends upon the game that
is being played upon the chessboard Of the
European balance of power. What Turkey
especially needs is a thorough reconstruc-
tion of its finances with view of develop
ing her material resources. She needs a
decided reform in the methods of the impo-
sition and collection OF taxes. She has made
wonderful progress in the administration of
justice in the last 20 years, by which 1 do
not mean to imply that there is not room for
considerable greater Improvement
GROWTH OF EDUCATION.
''She has also effected great improvement
in education and in the establishment of
male and female schools throughout the en-
pire. The present Sultan has done every
thing to stimulate education, and has him
self founded a number of special schools. In
short education is literally encouraged.
This is in strong contrast to the attitude OF
the Russian Government toward culture.
In the tier country the power of govern
ment is being used to interdict and repress
education.
"What would be the result of q war be-
tween Turkey and Russia?"
20 course Russia is the stronger. She
could put five men in the field to Turkeys
one, and her financial affairs are in a better
shape, but the Turkish army has never been
in SO good condition as it is to-day. The
Turkish soldier is a remarkable fighter,
capable OF a wonderful endurance, and the
Turkish soldiers have in all times been re-
nowned for their courage. Their fatalism
makes them strangers to tear.
THE GERMAN METHOD.
''They have within the last seven or eight
years been drilled according to the German
methods, under the supervision principally
of German officers, some five or SIX of whom
now hold the rank OF General or Pasha in
the army. Il Turkey should get into war
she will doubtless give Europe surprise by
the efficiency and organization OF her army.
She has recently also rehabitated her navy,
and has had a number of new cruisers
built"
''Then the sick man is getting well?'
1.-THE so-called sick man, which think is
a decided mlsnomer, "replied Mr.. Straus,
sis not growing weaker, but is improving
and gaining strength. But Russia and the
small Balkan States are improving their
material resources much more rapidly, and
the comparison of the two is not fair one.
Turkey has made steady progress iu cpl-
ture and in the development OF her material
resources, but she has not fair chance to
grow, and she has not had, since the Begin
ming OF this century. Ii she could be let
alone she would work out her own destiny
along the lines of her civilization, and she |
would, I am sure, develop the highest pos
sibilities of her land and her people,"
tn