The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-02-23
ABDUL HANDS, BIRTHDAY.
THE GRAND TURK norm just re
YEARS LATER IMAM OUR GEORgk.

YEARS LATER IMAM OUR SEORek.
L.srsi Tsrkish Resiseuts Celebrate Hts
vita Fireworks, = Fssst, and DsueisE-
Mus,e o. the Ous, Ksuoon, snd DursatSh.
II was George wsshinRton's day. to be sure.
but Il was also the nftieth birthday Of his i'm
perial majesty, the Sultan Of Turkey. His
majesty's subjects In New York said that the
hcnors OF the holiday should be divided, and
so they m ct last eyeninC to celebrate the ami
yersary Of Abdul Hamld. In the apartments
| Of the Arbeeiy brothers Mt 45 Pearl street they
enjoyed sdeliRhtful and interesting entertain
ment.
The brothers are proprietors OF KdUab Amer
icd. the only paper on the contire nt printed in
Arabic. Prot Joseph Afbeeiy. their venerable
| father. the ex-President OF the Greek Pstri-
archal College at Beirut. Syria, was the first
Syrian TO bring family to America. His son.
Mr.. n. J. Arbesly, is managing editor OF kduub
Ame,icd and was Consul to Jerusalem during
President Cfevelsnd's first administration.
The Atbeelys planned the entertainment
some time ago. They invited the Turkish Am
| bassador at Washington, tho Consuls in the
different American cities. and the leading
merchants Of New York Boston. and Phila-
| delphia. The Turkish Minister teleRraphed
his regrets at the last minute but nearly all OF
the others invited we're present
| The programme really began outside the
newspaper ONCE when the darkened streets
Of the downtown district were lighted with
rockets Roman candles and enough fireworks
to suggest n Chinese New Years Around the
doorway to KdTdb Americas Offices were the
Arbeolys, their guests, and the native min
strels with their odd instruments and weird
songs Some wore the national dress. and all
wore the red fez.
"Padisha him. hok va shah" they shouted
| in q greeting which means Long live tho
king Of kings." II Abdul Hamid had been In
the neig hborhood he would have been pardon
| ed for thin king that he was as big a man
the i'm m ortal Washington. The cheers we're
| given with right loyal enthusiasm.
The editorial sanctum was made bright with
| flags and bunting OF Turkish colors. and com
| Portable with broad and soft divans arranged
| 10 q semicircIe. In the centre OF the floor.
| which was covered with rugs was a long table
| loaded with Turkish sweetmeats, cigarettes.
| and coffee. In one corner were the two min
strels. They wore heavy. briGht-colorcd scarfs
and red fezes. which made pleasing contrast
The m usic was neither as lively nor as varied
as that OF circus band. Ths Turkish ond
looks Ike bigIwaisted MANDOLIN while the
| durbakeh Is small drum. and is quite as ex-
pressiye as either Of the string Instruments
| body took u turn at the durbRkeh.
:, The minstrels sang strange songs; slsges-
|
Dr. ,Arb-ely said there was nothing me!an-
choly about these songs. They told the glory
diii"uitios OF Turkish lovers
Zach guest and they came until after mid
THIS is n swift but graceful movement Of tho
| left hand outward then to the heart, and In IN
TarHsS consul ps" Ghc.so resered
Of these aalutea. He comes from family in
IN Re Of the
| sabaG OF Cairo accompanied the Consul from
Chicago to attend this entertain ment.
| and queer dancing II Ii. IL was started 10y a
stalwart and handsome young Syrian dressed
and when, he failed the audience in a
kanoonist struck a. key with tho oudist and
the dancer responded by advancing TO the
tionless while.he stretched his hands in the
air. as though reaching for something. and
uttered a Few cultural sounds evidently in:
tended for song The spectators nS clHp ,,si
tt hum ped the durbaeeh and one Of the Moua-
| cad brothers shook the less Oriental tam
The daueer stretched his leGs almost to that
position Known to skirt dancers as the split.
| With quick movement his legs were brought
a1out the room like a skater. his fingers snap
ping In time to the music
high enough, however. to indicate enth usi IN
dance seemed very ssrous and solemn but to
the subjects OF Abdul Hnmi It was intensely
| funny.
There were two interru ption to this Oriental
| hilarity after the artist was quite exhausted.
founded the American visitors by coaxinG from
| the oud the familiar strains Of Ia ra-rn-
| boom decay" The Syrians gave loud laugh
and DR.. Arheely asked one of the guests to try
the national dance OF the United states.
The snsSnd was when at!entHn
principal speech was made by DIR. Arheely.
| who said among other things that no King or
| President works harder or more faithfully Tor
TIE Interests est Of his pcople than his Imperial
| Americans" he said, love to honor the
name of George Washington to-day, and SO
the Ottoman loves to show his respect and
| honor for the worth and deeds Of Abdul Hamid.
| the George Washington OF the Turkish empire.
| sd an era Of unusual progress and prosperity
| among his people" Touching on the Eastern
| question. DR.. Arbeely said: Tho citizens OF
| the Turkish empire are perfectly contented
under the rule OF their Sultan. The European
powers, always anxious to make It appear as
II there were dissen.ions and dlssati sfsction
| in the Ottoman empire. would do well to let
| that smpire and her subjects alone"
| After the Turkish march had been Mayed
and the national air had been sung by tho as
10 his EIo,'rE no ayaA Fnshd. Gdd's Paas 6oHsaH-
Pleas. convey to his Imperial Majesty Abdul Hsmid.
Ing OF ottomAns assembled at reception given IN his
| honor
After this business the festivities were re-
| sumed. Ii IL proposed TO celebrate future
| birthdays Of Turkish rulers in like manner at
least while the ruler IL as popular as Abdul
| Hamid.