The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-03-02

ly he VIII De told that the Sultan Is dead,
and that he has been proclaimed. It is
just as IL a blind man were told, The
door is open; walki''
At the same time the Sultan is a man
of wonderful activity. warking harder
than any OF his subjects. but at useless
and childish things-at the uniform of
the army and the yoluminous police re-
ports. He also busies himself with deco
rations and presents.
For the last eight years I have inces-
sanity called the Sultan's attention TO the
maladministraion of the Turkish En-
pire, urging upon him the necessity of
instituting some much needed reforms.
As long as these reforms were only
clamored for by the so-called Young
Turkish party they could be disregarded
as the aspirations of Utopians, of dema-
gogues intent on stirring up revolution.
But at present they cannot be brushed
away under this pretext.
There must indeed be weighty reasons
that I, member of the imperial family,
the Sultan's brother-in-law, was driven
to flee from my country and exile myself
far from my family far from my friends!
You in the United States have wrong
opinion of US Turks. You think that all
Orientals are more or less savages and
fanatics, inaccessible to civilization. You
are very much mistaken.
The fact is that Western ideas, the re-
suits Of modern progress, have penetrat-
ed into the Turkish Empire and have
there successfully propagated during the
past years. All classes of Turkey are as
piring after more liberty after more jus
tice.
If the Sultan wants TO avoid a revolu-
ton he must comply with the wishes or
his subjects and institute soma thorough
reforms.
A revolution In Turkey would be ac-
companied by the most disastrous conse-
Quences. Such a catastrophe should by
all means be averted, and this can only
be done by granting the just demands of
the nation.
against the arbitrary form of government
the despotism which STANDS in the way Of
the progress Of Turkey.
I want the sovereign to pledge himself
henceforth to observe the laws, TO do
justice, to grant liberty to his subjects,
even as it is ordained in the religion of
our prophet.
It is absolutely necessary for the good
of Turkey that the various ministers en-
joy a greater amount of independence
than has hitherto been given them, and
that they should not be mere puppets,
simple instruments in the hands of the
Sultan for the doing of his will.
In this respect the reign of Abdul Ha-
mid's predecessor was by far preferable
1t made it at least possible for statesmen
such as Ali Pacha and Fouad Pacha to
manage the affairs of state
1 have not yet made up my mind as re-
CARDS my plans for the future All I can
say at present is that intend to remain
in exile and keep away from Turkey I'M
til the Sultan pledges himself to intro
duce the aforesaid reforms. Negotiations
to this effect are still going on between
me and my brother-in-law.
If within a short time I should not re-
ceive a definite answer. I shall commune
cate to the press manifesto which will
not fail to produce the greatest sensa-
ton.
I have other means at my command.
One of which I promise myself the great
est success is the publication through the
press of interesting information about
Abdul Hands reign. a thing which the
Sultan breads more than anything in the
world
I am sure he would rather see me re-
turn to Turkey than allow things to come
to that pass.
Several newspapers devoted to the Sui
tan insinuated that I was actuated by
oh hot oil 7
was the grant of important allowances
for myself and my children.
These are calumnies Intentionally spred
in order to prejudice me in the eyes of the
world. am in no need of the Sultan's
presents. My life and the lives of my
sons were no longer safe in Turkey be-
cause L dared to publicly express liberal
ideas. It is not presents want from the
Sultan, but reforms.
I ask nothing that the Sultan cannot
easily accept. Thus, I do not insist upon
the formation Of a Parliament, knowing
very well that Abdul Hamid would be
strongly opposed to such reform. Par
liamentarism was tried at the beginning
OF his reign. 1t proved a complete fail
ure. I shall therefore not suggest an
other attempt. But I insist that the press
should enjoy an almost perfect liberty,
at least in matters concerning the ex-
posures Of abuses. I demand a general
amnesty Of all persons convicted OF roll
teal crimes. Such a measure would lib
crate at least three thousand unfortu-
mates actually buried in the prisons. 7
demand the setting forth Of a budget so
that the finances of the State may no
longer be wasted at pleasure
1 demand the building Of railroads
which are indispensable TO the economic |
development OF the Empire.
Finally, a series OF liberal measures !
with regard 10 jublic education anthe in /
PRODUCTION OF foreign books and aexzya- |
pers into Turkey seem 10 me most Ce- |
sirabIe. IN brief. all 1 COMBAT is aTbi- |
trariness and despotism, which are the 4
ruin OF our country.
No doubt there is danger that the Sui /
tan may merely profess to accept ny 4
terms with the idea Of egticing ne TO /
Turkey. where I shah be entirely in his |
power.
shall. Of course. have 70 use cs1 isin /
precautions against this eventually. But. /
after all. what does Il natter
I an patriot and shall &c only too /
glad 10 sacroace NY life, provided .h4t i
my sacrifice result for Turkey IN irinE- +
lag about a happier era. a. era = hich 4
atrocities such as the Armenian massa-
c-es shah no longer be possible
I am sorry - say THAI = na;isng II
their dealings with Turkey ccasldsr bat i
their own particular Interests. their CON-
nsrciai advantages. wl5hont even ccrsg&-
sr.ng the interest % the Turkish peopie.