The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-05-30


Abdul Hamid." wrote Murad Bey. in
| the London Times Of October Is last. "be-
gan his reign with peculiar ideas. His
| conviction was that the Turkish empire
was approaching its dissolution. 1t was,
therefore desirable before all TO secure
for himself and his household resources
for the future; In other words. to pro-
cure as much money as possible. The
I atfumlulation OF wealth became the mot
dordre Of YlAix kidAk. The caniarilla
I and the high state 1arasite did not re-
qtiire to be told twise. All interests of
the empire, Of the Army and OF the adj
ministration were subjected to the frav-
Ing for gold at the palace Evefything
was done TO conceal 9his regime from the
outside world OfIicers and government
employees were made to wait for months
for their salaries. the people and the army
were allowed to sfarve and fabulous
sums found their way abroad to purchase
the public opinion OF Europe. This
money grabbing system at the court of
Stamboul constitutes one of the principal
causes of the hopeless and desperate
state OF things which characterizes the
present administration and the entire
public life of Turkey"
His Private Life.
Like the pope at Rome. the sultan is
self-constitused prisoner In his palace.
Like the pope. too. he eats alone, seated
near window overlooking the Bosporus,
except on special occasions. when he re-
cciyes royal visitors. ambassadors and
their wives. every European luxury being
served upon these occasions. Hahitually
he drinks only water. brought TO the pal
ace in cases, under special precautions
His food is extremely plain. consisting
chiefly Of vegetables. served in silver
saucepans presented to him at table,
sealed. Like most orientais, he is an
4 40 81 Y5x h. atrar nd sRfsf
tons enjoined by his religion. and which
he goes through as matter OF policy or
example. he drinks cup of coffee. and
then begins smoking cigarettes. which las
was the case with Louis Napoieou) he
continues all day.
Al 10 o'clock a. m. ne receives the re-
port OF his ministers. works alone or with
his secretaries until L. when he eats. Then
M drives In tfe grounds, or floats In a
gilded caiqtte on a lake for a couple OF
hours never leaving the park og Yiidiz,
except IN go 10 the mosque after which
he returns To preside az the council of
state. e.. 70 receive ambassadors or min
listers. His dinner Is ut sunset when the
national piaf ~ rice and sweets is serv-
cd, with sherbet and ICES After this he
ss'akes himself TO the SelamIik to receive
pssnaS and other officers or high rank
or oftener he disa nnaarS into tho na-en
10 pass the evening hours with wives AMI
political monster and nondescript Is ford
~ music. and fair musician frequently
placing himself ar the piano liz speech
he Is a purist, speaking well. in slow.
r'onotenous yeire. bat occasionally M
Tets loose Good Of expression which
rises at times 10 the dignity of eioquence.
His Iabyrtathin~ Retreats.
In addition 10 these general ard cut
ward aspects NJ his everyday life theirs
a FtxsrE as&F4i xv@4w I'll kss4tr
50 apparent In his hatem In his palace
r. Yiidiz and IN TIE kiosks which occupy
the park around II. the sultan has more
thar asiy different rooms and desks
where he attends 81 business. No one
knows where 20 find him At any hour -
the dsS or evening. Uneasy As i. gpecfer
and 50 suspicious as q Welt ~ Fits from
ro@s1s 90 room, often passing rat ~ a
SaiifinE 7y a rear acor aT7sa leaving the
sentry az shs front entrance te suppose
that he Is sfsil within. fsGt wherever he
IS. and whatever may ~ She scFsr ~ fhe
dag or evening ~ is watcas9 over
ard guarded ~ groups % human blood
hosirSs he has trained far thai purpose.
Between s,ae principal entrance ~ the
xisftz KIOSK and The rooms which serve
as his hahtsafton there &re fctss or Sye
doors before which <sana Albanian sen-
tries. and through whien no one oar pass
unless hs is accompanied hy a chamber
! lain or orderly ~ tire tcsygs5zv1 and nore
~ these dare Intrvssssce n visitor 81 any
! ktvd tsto ss8e preS~-ce Of their master
: without special permission Where the
sultan wiu sleep on airy given night =
kwowg only 30 himself He has mere than
aFty beds - mis- disposal many of them
sn th@ imperial xyneFessu or private
eSsssfss az his legitimate wives. sns others
fr the rss Aacs Itself nos 90 speak ~ shs
f-oss@1 and he r-ed rssrests into wSEirh he
N4xx %sn- An hzS vN N
tor taxing extra p.ecaut1crA