The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-05-30
>c.t~i,.i-.t.et,.t,. .t.:t,:1,.l-aa<
s THE SULTAN OF TURKEY.
4
E.f..f~f..f..f..f..t..3..1..t~..3.


rope ard Asia, including the long tiers
of white Fseuse< In Scusayi opposite. ard
that vast region of water. stretching
away TO the mountains over Betfusxa. ard
near at hand the broad channel of tire
deep blue Eosphorus with its fringe of
white palaces. steamers. caiaHes and YES
sells with sails set gliding by every in
slant. The Star Kick Is thus the cent
raj object In numerous groupings of
iaaisonestes and k.osks Of different sizes
all built OF wood-fo- the Moelem who
does not travel. hsst loves changes and
nature views the variety Afforded him
BY moving from one petty bower 10 an
other In the light of a journey for a
change OF air.
In this park the sultan received the en-
peror and empress of Germany on the
occasion of their memorable visit to bis
capital. He met them at the quays and
conducted them up the winding road
which scales the hill to a romantic chalet
set apart for their use. I may add that.
not even for hts distinguished guests. did
the sultan move ozat of the prescribed
space TO which he so long ago condemned
himself as a matter Of precaation, which
is also his preference. He never accom-
panied them anywhere not even to st.
Sophia, but sent them Tn his twelve-oared
caique. all gold and purple, Hike Ci>opat-
ras. down the Golden Horn TO view mis-
feet and arsenal. I. Is curious fact.
but one easily explained, that the present
emperor OF Germany is on excellent terms
with Abdul Hamid. and recently sent por-
traits Of himself and family to the sultan.
on the occasion or the horrible naassacres
tn Armenia.
The life OF Hand. until his advent to
the throne. had been passed In a retire
ment which merits the name Of captivity.
His appearances in public had been few
nssA hrJ h. -
had been a trip with his brother and uncle
to Western Europe including Paris. Ed
hem Pasha was his tutor In French. In
his long seclusion he had fallen into the
hands and under the influence of few
fanatical and domineering spirits grouped
around the Sheik-ul-Isiam and drawing
their whole theory OF law, right, Justice
and government from the narrowest in
depreciation of the tenets Of their re-
Iigfon. In other terms. Hamid came
forth from his solitude as jealous war
s7or for his faith rather than as a poiiti-
cal chief Of q mixed and turbulent people:
as fanatic and leader OF sect rather
than as statesman and legislator.
ChFistians Under H8s Rule.
He sincerely believes that Christian
has no rights which a Mussuiman u
bound to respect. No slave in the south
IN the sfave-holding era was ever more
despiscd and maItreated than is Chris
tan in Turkey. His testimony against a
Mussilman cannot be received under any
circumstances whatever. He must enter
tain free Of expense any Mussulman who
demands food and shelter. From time 10
time. u',der the pressure OF the great DOW
ers. Hamd has made some pretense Of
removing these disabilities from bis Chris
tan SUBJECTS but the so-caued reforms
have not been worth the paper consumed
tn printing them II II not enough to say
mat Hamid Is a born diplomat; he could
give all the powers of Europe combined
many points IN this field and beat them.
lie early comprehended that he would
not be able to reach his grapes by force.
and he was fox enough to each them bv
cunning. dnplicfty and Ell .ontery AS a
man. he is not without human and rea-
sonanle instincts. and even gracious quail
ties. but as ruler he Is figurehead and
ofncfA automaton of one OF the most In
famous and. INSCRIPTIONS gangs Of con-
spirafors that ever lurked behind a throne.
His attempt To concentrate the whole ad-
ministration of the empire In his own
hands had led to the establishment of
dual government that Of the palace and
that OF the porte. The whole machinery
OF government exists at the porte There
are ministers and fully organized DEPART
ments: there Is council Of ministers and
a council Of state All business Is sup
posed TO pass through their hands, and
the whole administration Is supposed to
be subordinate to them. All Ii. Of course.
subject 10 the supreme will OF the sultan
but his Official advisers and his Official
agents are at the porte.
In fart however. there is another gov
eminent Mt the palace Of yild!x more
powerful than the Official government-a
secret and hideous power In the nature OF
permanent plotting and endless con-
sniracy, which Is as dark crafty and dew
'lish AZ anything human brains has ever
cnncocted. II IS composed of chamber
lains notlahs. eunuchs asuologers and
nAndescripts. including such favorftes as
the suitan's cook, 0siuan Bev. The gen.
eraI policy OF the empire Is shaped by this
secret jrtnta, and tie most important
questions OF state are often treated and
decided by these unseen reprntates while
the highest officials of the porte are left
in absolute ignorance Of what lis going on.
tt IS needless 10 I'd that the porte and the
palace are at swords points and block
each others movements as Tar ~ they
can. Need ,rs 20 say too. that these hid
aen schemers have more authority with
| the sultan than all tho great powers OF
| Europe He dare not act sgalns. their