New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-08
EA-SULTAN MURAD DYING,
1'oenty-seven Years Captivity of
1urkeys Deposed Ruler Near Close.

EH-sultan Murad of Turkey is now in the last
stages OF tuberculosis, and his death is likely to
occur at any moment. His malady has reached an
"ou.e stage. ana within the last two or three
weeks us ravages have been terribly rapid all
~ u on the part OF the physicians arrest
theIn having failed. The ex-Sultan who is now in
ms sMly-h1th year, has been closely confined
IN MS palace at Dolmabaghtch at Constantiuople
ever since the time Of his removal from the throne
on the ground of insanity twenty-seven years ago
he is under the charge of General Ria Pacha
son OF that old field marshal of the same name
VINO had known Murad from childhood and was
deeply attached to him.
Mufad has throughout his twenty-seven years
OF captivity been serious peril to Sultan Abdul
hetlld II at any moment the sheik u Islam
haa been induced by Abdul Hands adversaries
10 declare that Murad had recovered his reason
the present Sultan's tenure of the throne would
nave oeen de Jure. brought to an end. Some peo-
PIE say that Murad IS perfectly sane and that he
mas oeen Kept In such strict secusion only in
ORDER to prevent his recovering possession OF the
throne. The Young Turk party has circulated this
story both at home and abroad, and has headed
It's programme with project for the restora-
ton Of Murad. But 1t is impossible TO speak with
any degrees OF certainty about his mental condi-
ton, as no one has set eyes on NIurad all these
years, except those whom his detention has been
intruSted. No European specialists have seen him
or been consulted about him since 1876. and since
his own mother, who was allowed to share his cap
uVIty died some years ago. no one could indeed
say with any degree Of certainty whether he was
really still in the land OF the living.
The news OF his being in the last stages OF
tuberculosis and of his imminent death comes
from the court OF his brother. the present Sultan
Emperor Nicholas has come out strongly IN favor
Of the anti-duelling propaganda and has addressed
letter to the leader OF the movement Don
Alfonso. younger brother of the Pretender Don
Carlos. in which he expresses his complete SYM
pathy with the aims and endeavors Of the prince
and sanctions the establishment Of branch Of the
league in Russia.
Duelling is. to a great extent a modern institu-
ton In the dominions Of the Gar and there was
comparatively little OF IT until the late Emperor
Alexander III. Mortified by a succession Of fsticun
encounters and rough and tumble fights between
officers sometimes of lofty rank-on one occasion
two gray haired generals made a spectacle OF
themselves in this fashion In the presence OF the
troops under their coInmand-decided that differ
ences between men holding his commissions In the
army and navy should be fought out with the sword
or the pistol From that time duels increased to
such an extent that old General Dragonlrofr. who
is probably the foremost commander OF the Rus
sian army, presented a memorandum to the present
Car protesting against the tendency to fight dueIs
for trifes. declaring that the duel was an essen
TALLY foreign institution. which should not be
countenanCed IN Russia.
Emperor Nicholas has now apparently adopted
this view, and his expression Of sympathy with the
Anu-Duellng League contained in his letter to Don
Alfonso IS calculated to give increased strength
and vigor TO the propaganda
So much attention has been attracted Of late TO
Kshiner and to the possibility Of another massacre
of the Jews taking place there this week that il
may he We'll to mention that Prince UrussoT the
Governor OF Bessarabia, the province IN which
Kishineff IS situated. is probably the literally
disposed Of all the higher dignitaries Of the Mus
coyite administration with regard to the Hebrew
race. Tho prince. in fact. has achieved distinction
by presenting memorandum to the Gar strongly
advocating the abrOgatiOn OF all special laws
against the Jews. The prince attributes little
OF the prevailing prosperity OF the province OF
Bessaraba to the industry OF the Jews not merely
as traders but also agricuturists on the land
near the towns and cities. He says that they have
the tobacco plant; that they are also very useful
especially wines. 70 foreign countries. and, accord
Ing TO him. II Is only because special laws OF an
oppressive character weigh the Jews too h1rshIy
that OF them have been induced TO dabbie In
politics The princes memorandum has created a
great impression Emperor Nicholas. lie has
organized an imperial commission for the purpose
OF dealing with the matter and with the object OF
codifyinC and amending the existing statutes re-
lating TO the Jews. Prince Obolenski. formerly
Governor OF KharkoT. who narrowly escaped
death by assassination. has been appointed presi-
dent Of this commission.