New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-04-10
THE "TURKISH TALLEYRAND."
STRANGE CAREER OF CHRISTIAN IN TIE
LAND OF THE SULTAN.

STRANGE CAREER OF A CHRISTIAN IN TIE
LAND OF THE SULTAN.
The turkish Talleyr.,nd" Is dead. Decades ago
Lord Bcaconsncd. still the untitled Dsraen. applied
those words to Edhem Pacha. then looked upon rgh'y
one OF the most astutc politicians OF the Eastern
Empire who had made hiS influence fct In many
countries Of Europe Later rs Ambassador TO various
capitals. he became Il familiar figure to Western
statesmen and dlpomat!s,s. As the representative OF
the sultan in Vienna. he was Tor years one OF the
most popular members OF the diplomatic corps. lie
was a typical figure In the gay Danube capital. In
the promenade hours in the City Park the "noble
alice" OF the Prater, the handsome, rosy-chcekcd &C
togcnarian, with the long, white beard and the fez
upon his head was always surrounded by an admrin:
throng. The Emperor was particularly fond OF the
Oriental and lost no opportunity TO distinguish him.
Strange TO say. dhem. whose career was unusually
brilliant in the land OF pachas. not a Mahometan
BY birth lie the OF Christian parents. In fact
and was born the island OF Chios almost eighty
three years ago. When mere child-to record the
main incidents OF his life-he was taken TO Con
stantinople by his guardian and few years later,
placed as n cadet In the "Janshar school, Iherc
his extraordinary talent soon manifested ITSELF ana ne
became the head OF his class. His youthu ame even
reached 10 the private rooms OF the sultan. and His
Majesty became so deeply interested in the young
heather that he him to Paris. upon graduation at
his own expense. on the banks OF the seine he re-
maincd many years. He took part later In the eX-
pedton OF Marshal Bugeaud against Add eKsder, and
so DISTINGUISHED himself by valor and executive
ability that he was recalled TO COnsaninopc and as
signed to the EskremIIarf he General Sai with the
rank OF major.
But the sultan had othep plans carry out, and at
his suggestion Edhcm babe farewell to the career OF
arms and entered the service Of the foreign once
He never regretted the change. For twenty years ne
acted rs Ambassador TO Paris and Vienna During
the critical period OF the last Oriental war he wa
Grand Vizier Of the Empire and made his name III
Turkish anna:s immortal. lie did not retire from the
responsible POST until the peace OF Stelano Edhcm
had the reputation OF being the greatest VII III
:.ra and many man felt the sting Of his caustic
,onrue While Minister of Commerce the questions
~ the establishment Of the ottoman bank and new
railway rontcs through the Empire came mp for discus
sion In the Imperial Council lie opposed the meas
ures.
"Vous voulez des bancques ct des routes he re
marked dryly to his coadvscrs eh ben, vous aurez
Ia banquerotte."
At another time he received young Austrian
Connt n member OF the Embassy, and the wife OF the
Ambassador in the Imperial harcm. As Madame 'he
Ambas sadrcss stepped across the threshold vi ue
room whose door no dare open, the dashihg
noblcman attempted to follow her.
Pardon Mr. le Com,e." said Edhem, bowlng
potey to the a;ache and closing the door in his lace
:. vous Of &c settlement accredee aupres de Ia Porte.
Edhem was more than I0urscOrc years ola wheh
his snrit took flight to the seven heavens OF lht
Prophet" He had become good Mahoihetn ~ ,.i'
corsc Of his long service under the various SuaiS
and his place in Consantnople will be dicut-aimos'
impOssibc-to fill.