Sunday Washington globe., 1902-04-13

Everybody says that the Sultan is made a
coward by his advisers, who are continually
discovering conspiracies which never exist.
The latest conspiracy against him is at.
tributed to one of his best and most loyal
friends, Fuad Pasha, The Hero of Elena .
one Of the foremost generals in the war
against Russia in 1877 and the war against
Greece in 1897 Fuad Pasha is an enlightened
and honest man and has had the confidence
OF the foreigners to a degree greater than
almost any other of the Sultan's favorites.
And until recently he was so much of a
favorite that the Sultan allowed him to
hold his handkerchief for the people to
kiss, which was a mark of the greatest
honor and confidence. He kept Fuad Pasha
about his person continually, giving him
the command of his bodyguaId, but few
weeks ago Fuad offended the detective de-
partment which reported to the Sultan
that his favorite was becoming involved
with the reformers known as the Young
Turkey" party, and spies were set to watch
his house. Fuad noticed strange men about
the premises. He probably suspected who
they were and what they were there for
but he pretended to believe that they we're
burglars, and purchased a supply of rifles
and revolvers, which he placed in the hands
of his servants with instructions to FIRE
upon the intruders if they became often
sive. This fact was reported TO the Sultan
promptly and the vigilance of the spies
was increased.
few days later a collision occurred be.
tween them and Fuad's servants, in which
several were killed and wounded. Fuad
was Immediately arrested, taken to the
palace, and after an interview with the
Sultan was sent aboard the latter's private
yacht, which sailed at once for Beyruth
without allowing the prisoner 10 communi.
cate with his family or friends. He IS sup
posed TO have been sentenced to exile at
Damascus instead of being executed which
is mark of great forbearance upon the
Sultan's part
Fuad will find plenty of company at Da-
masCus. Several of the Sultan's former
favorites are there in exile, hopefully
awaiting day when their sovereign will
be less susceptible to the influence of his
hired spies and detectives and more trustful
of his loyal friends and supporters. The
great difficulty, however, is in his majesty's
natural distrust. When his suspicious are
once aroused his ideas are always distorted
and his confidence can scarcely ever be re.
stored. He is thus driving away from him
self some of his most valuable supporters.
The missionaries say that Abdul Hamid
is a bad Sultan, but a good Moslem that
his fanaticism is equal to that of any fakir
in his realm, and that he is responsible for
the persecution of the Christians and for the
massacre of the Armenians that the orders
were given by him personally. On the
other hand Americans and Euglishmen who
are in the habit Of visiting the palace and
have personal acquaintance with his majesty
insist that he has many good traits and that
he would not be bad man>at all if he lived
under other conditions.
General Horace Porter, our Ambassador
to France, spent two OF three weeks in Tur.
key last summer, and saw a great deal of
the Sultan, who received him with unusual
cordiality and attention, because of General
Porteris former relations to General Grant.
When he heard that Mr.. Porter had been
Grants private secretary, it was enough A
carriage from the imperial stable, and
aid .de.camp from the Yildiz Kiosk and
military escort were placed at his disposal
and the doors in Constantinople were
ordered thrown open to him. Very few
travellers have ever been received with 50
much distinction, and before he left the
city the Sultan gave a dinner in his honor
az the palace and decorated Mrs. Porter
with one of his most important orders.
II is remarkable what an impression Gen.
Grant left during his famous tour around
the world. He is remembered with rever-
ence everywhere-in China and Japan as
we'll as in Turkey The Sultan and the
King of Siam, as well as Ii Hung Chang,
have always quoted him to Americans as
their highest authority. His fame and his
influence will be everlasting.
Mrs. Porter was entertained in the Sui
tan's harem, but that was not an unusual
thing. The wives of the diplomatic corps
are always received by the Sultanas, who
are glad to see them, and any other strangers
for that matter, because their lives are
very monotonous and their diversions are
few. No person can ask permission to visit
the imperial or any private harem. II
would be considered an insult. II the Sui
tan or any Turkish gentlemen wants other
ladies to meet his wives he will offer them
an invitation and will either conduct
them iu person to the harem or. send them
in charge of the Kizlar Aghasi or chief
eunuch very important parsonage, who
ranks next to the grand vizier and the
Sheikh ul Islam.
The Sultans have long ceased to contract
regular marriages. and the harem is a state
institution Nobody knows the exact num-
Der Of Abdul Hamid's wives, but he is sup
posed to have 800 or 400. who are graded
and live according to their rank under the
direction Of the khasna'dar kadin, or super
iutendent of the harem. They are from the
prominent families of the kEmpire. as fire.
quentlY the Sultanas are able to exercise a
powerful influence in behalf Of ltheir rela-
tives and friends. When a rich pasha
wants to secure the favor of the Sultan be
offers him one of his daughters with a suit
able dowry as a wife, and if she Is accepted
it is a sign of friendliness as we'll as a mark
of distinction When the governor Of the
Circassian Province, which is said to have
the most beautiful women in Turkey,
wishes to please his imperial master be
will send him handsome young girl as a
gift, or when any Of his subordinates dis
cover young woman Of remarkable attrae-