The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1904-04-06
l.-sELM PAsHA MELHAINE.

CONSTANTINOPLE, April 5.-Abdul-
Hamid is the most despotic monarch of
any modern sovereign, and is intent upon
governing after the principle, /" The state,
that's me-
Pretending, at first, liberal ideas, he
gave out to his people a sham constitution,
but soon suspended it, and since 1887, not
once did the Ottoman parliament assemble.
Ever since that time the imperial divan,
or council of ministers, lost even the inn
portance it had before the constitution,
and today the name "divan" is even of
no import at all.
The ministers are nothing but manikins,
and they hold their portfolios just for the
form.
All state matters are adjusted and man
aged according to the wishes of the sultan
who, in turn, constantly is being influenced
by his courtiers, Izzet Pasha, second sec
rotary ond chamberlain, and Tahny Pasha
the first secretary. These two men today
are the two most powerful in Turkey.
Being as it is, no one can make out the
character of the present ministers of Tur-
key, since they lower themselves to take
the part of attendant and servants of the
sultan Hence, there is never collective
demisson or change of cabinet.
The grand vizier, so-called premier under
the constitution, is the one more often
changed, as he is frequently made the vic
tim of the courtiers whim and caprice.
Auet Gs ~ ss,,, 7ssf' 4, ) eghi9et Gften
change affoedins Tglistef eh q. 9gISss- asnFn
gain time EwbeD sheaSSs as..JAntaae "
overdue bills
Ferid Pasha, the present gran vizier, is
an Albanian of uncommon intelligence, and
well-read NAM He became premier at
jump without passing through any other
office, as it is customary He was general
governor of Koniak when the sultan's will
made him the keeper of the great seal of
the eastern empife. Once grand vizer
he just followed Ahe policy of his pre-
decessors; that is N sag, submitted himself
entirely to the suItan's will in everything.
Some say that he rather favors Russia.
Teufk Pasha, Che minister of foreign
affairs, sprung from Il diplomatic career.
He was last Ambassador at Berlin, but is
not man of particularly rare intelligence.
So the sultan found him suitable for the
position he now Occupies of simply trans
hitting diplomatic notes Teufk Pasha
married a Gelmans
One of the most important members OF
the Turkish cabinet Is. the sheikhulislam,
the representative Of the spiritual power of
the "Khaklifut," and sthe head Of ''Ule-
mas" the doctors Of 3Mohammedan law.
He had formerly very great power, as in
his capacity Of supreme interpreter of
sacred law he pronounced sentence "Fetva"
on all important matters, and also on the
deposition of the sultan. He used to be
also a great factor in a conspiracy. The
sultan gave this Office to man of no
worth, the sheik djemaleddine, of whom
he is quite sure.
The minister of justice and cults, Alb
durrhman Pasha, is statesman of the old
Turkish school, He was for some time
grand vizier. In spite of his many faults,
they say he is an outspoken man, who is
not afraid to speak his mind openly. He
loves to speak his mind openly. He loves
his country and is fearful of its ruin
The minister Of war, "Seraskier," chief
Of the army, has also lost much Of his
former Importance. Ria Pasha, the pres
ent seraskier, is the confidential man OF
the sultan. Since Abdul Aziz the uncle
of Abdul Hamid, was dethroned through
conspiracy essentially military, the sui
tan has been careful to confer this posi-
ton on a person devoted to him. Since
the death of Osman Pasha, the minister
of war is the only man who accompanies
the sultan when he goes out on Friday.
He thinks perhaps that he is well protect
ed behind the corpulence of his favorite
minister
Ever since the deaeh Of Hassan Pasha
the famous minister of the Turkish navy,
who used to appropriate for his own bene-
fit the money intended for the naval CON
structions, the navy department has I'M
dergone important transformations The
ministerial authority has been cut in two
The minister Of navy properly so called re-
mains as the head Of the naval administra-
ton, but the power essentially or wholly
military has been given to a chief of the
staff general Abdul Hamid pretended
thus to do what is done in other consttu-
tional countries, and made the minister a
public civil officer.
Djelal Pasha, the present minister Of the
navy, studied law in Paris He entered
the magstrature and progressed to become
attorney general He was afterwards min
lister Of public instruction. lie owes his
position Of minister Of the navy to Tizzet
Pasha, whose creature he is.