The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-02
SULTAN'S. PECULIARITIES
THE WAYS OF TURKEYS ABSOLUTE
RULER WITH FRIEND AND FOE.
A Poseur and an Actor, He Seeks to
visit Him at His Palaces.
Pail Mall Gazette.

changes in his Majesty's appearance, and
IL Is only with difficulty that now
recognize in him the Prince Hamid repre-
sented in the portrait taken OF him at the
time he mounted the throne. His jaws
have grown broader, giving TO his face a
coarseness 1t did not have before; the
cheek-bones, formerly unnoticeable, pro-
trude prominently on hollow cheeks, which
have been covered for more than twenty
years by short beard, not quite gray, and
which he himself dyes various shades of
brown and brownish red, with a mixture
of coffee and gall-nut, the recipe for which
was given him by a sheik.
His forehead bulges out slightly, and he
conceals his badness under the enormous
fez which he has made fashionable in Tur-
key. and the form, size and color of which
make the emaciated paIeness OF his face
seem even more sickly. His nose has be-
come more hooked. A stronger moustache,
also dyed, which his delicate and thin hand
often caresses with a mechanical gesture.
now conceals almost entirely the upper lip.
which is thin and hard. The lower lip has
become still thicker, and has accumulated
somewhat sensual expression. The line of
determination which completes the charac-
ter OF. this mouth, so interesting for the
physiognomist is also deeper and more APP
parent The f1attened temples, with the
widely separated orbits, have become more
hollow, and In the depths OF the eyes, now
half hidden under the dropping eyelids and
heavy IasheS, seems to be smOldering the
yacillating flame of his glance.
The eyes are the most discOncerting part
Of this complex physIognomy. Rejecting
usually uneasy melancholy, at other times
they will stare for a long time into va
9ncy, as though absorbed in thought, and
then, IL flash of anger or fear bghtens
up the dark-gray iris-the color OF stormy
sky-they instantly become remarkably
keen and alert, and cause those whose
glance they meet painful impression that
can be borne only after long familiarity.
In short. the entire pnysiognomy of the
Sultan confirms his divers characteristics,
even that OF tine gentleness that he as
sumes at times. OF medium height, slightly
rickety on his legs and painfully thin, he
seems now only TO have his breath left,
and. in fact, II is his nerves that keep him
alive. Such constitution must necessarily
influence his mentality. Abdul-Hamid is,
In truth, victim of neurasthenia, and In
some things monomaniac. His physical
condition alone can explain the contradic-
tons OF his character.
LIKES STORIES OF CRIME.
He Is full Of dissirnulated obstinacy, and
only yields TO force with the secret inten-
tion OF getting back later what he is COM
PEELED temporarily to abandon He is never
at q loss for expedients, is deep calcu-
lator, and knows admirably how to escape
dangers by stratagems that are always
new. He is a skillful layer of traps, and
capable OF all kinds OF abjectness toward
his enemies when he fears them, and of
the greatest severity when he has them in
his power. and his vengeance is the heavier
Tor having been patiently nourished in Sc
cret.
Not only is the life of a man who is trou-
oiesome to him OF little account, but spilled
blood seems to calm and soothe his shat
tered nerves, always stretched to the snap
ping point At night, before going to
sleep" says one Of his chamberlains, 'he
has some one to read to him. His favorite
assessinations and executions. The stories
OF crime excite him and prevent him Sleep
Ing. but as soon as his reader reaches a pas
sage where punishment falls upon the GRIM
inal, the Sultan Immediately becomes calm
and falls asleep
The Sultan. like all neurotics, has mo-
ments OF great irritability, during which
he becomes violent. Several times he has
beaten his secretaries or his chamberlain.
Once he threw his inkstand at the head
OF Kutchuk-Said Pasha, then secretary
chief. who was able to dodge his head in
time. Another day, suddenly enraged with
the same parsonage during discussion on
pocket a revolver, and threatened to fire at
: the pasha, who, terrified, implored his par
don.
1t is said that AbduI-Hamid quickly re-
arouse the resentment OF his suite 1t is
moreover, his policy as well as his temper
ament to make people think him gentle and
good, and to pretend that he has in re-
serve vast stores of tenderness. He tries
TO enlist sympathies everywhere, feeling
that no one loves him. Thus he poses often
as a victim, complaining of the malice and
ingratitude of men, and his complaints have
such an accent of sincerity that for the
moment they deceive those who listen.
TODIES FOREIGNERS.
Although his voice is naturally deep and
strong, he knows how to make it caressing
and almost gentle, and he has the gift of
making himself agreeable in order TO win
the friendship OF those who approach him.
especially foreigners. He takes all kinds
of pains TO please them, and IL is seldom
that European leaves him without being
fascinated by his cordial ana charming
manner and exquisite tact. The Sultan, in
fact, practices the art of politeness and
hospitality not only as Oriental. but also
as european. Nowhere are foreign nota-
bilities received as royalty as at Yildiz and
even mere tourists passing through Con-
stantnople and present at the ceremony of
Seiamlyk Will be received with honors. IL
they form a numerous party all kinds
OF fattertng attentions are showered upon
them during the ceremony, and they find
before leaving a SumptouS lunch served on
the terrace of the Yildiz Kiosk. Cigarettes
are presented 20 them, and an aid-de-camp
OF the sultan conveys to them the imperial
compliments. Again, at their departure
from Constanunople-a full view of which
has been facilitated by an order from the
palace-General Scheker-Ahmer Pasha pre-
Sents them with Turkish delight. cigarettes
ETC., as souvenirs of His Majesty. And the
visitors go away delighted with their visit
convinced that the Sultan is a most ana
BILE and courteous prince, and that the
complaints or Europe are entirely unjusti-
fed.
In thus trying to win sympathy of for
eigners by these little means he ina gines
that he counteracts the harm that the in
dependent press OF Europe which is hostile
10 him, does him in the minds of the gem
eral public Even toward his own subjects
he endeavors to appear benevolent when it
Is 10 his interests. Sometimes a functionarv
or grand parsonage falls i'll. A chamberlain
goes and inquiries after his health with the
compliments CT the sovereign; a court ply
stefan goes TO attend him; IL he dies
and leaves sons whose fidelity the master
wishes 70 secure, the interment is paid for
out OF the imperial purse
Sometimes he attempts by feigned amia
bility to win over some men he fears and
on whom he has no hold and then there a.
nothing to which he will not stoop in order
10 obtain by cunning what he cannot obtain
by force. one can have no idea of the ner-
sistence, the roundabout methods thav am
ploy In Constantinople to win the younS
generation OF Turks over 10 the Snltan'e
side. They know, for instance that a yoIIng
mans relations and friendships give him
the opportunity OF learning certain little Sc
crets OF great interest TO the monarch and
they leave no stone unturned to get him 70
talk. They promise him positions honors