Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-28

ried too far may be fulfilled sooner than
his promise. The massacres that have oc-
CURED in Constantinople, under his very
eye and, as everybody believes, under his
order, show us what awful consequences
may follow if the pressure is applied too
severely. 1t is no sin to kill Christian in
Turkey, and the Greeks, Armenians and
all Europeans-Roman Catholics and Prot
estants-with1n the limits of the empire are
continually exposed to massacre, not only
by mobs but by the soldiers They are in
the same danger that always surrounds
the Jews in Russia. There is not the
slightest doubt that the sultan will use
that method of revenge if he becomes des-
perate.
There is no prospect or possibility of
universal way, however. There is too much
dissension in the Mohammedan ranks for
such a thing to happen. If the true sue
cessor of the prophet should unfurl the
green banner, which was carried by Ma
hornet and is now preserved in the seraglio.
and declare a holy war. the sons of !sh'
mael In every part of the earth-in Arabia,
India, Africa, China, the Philippines, the
would be required by their religion to sus-
tain him and obey his orders, regardless
or their allegiance to their own civil au-
thosities. But the Mohammedans of Mo
rocco, Arabia, India and several other
countries do not accept Abdul Hamid as the
true padishah Gather Of all the sovereigns
of the earth. They regard him as an inn
poStor. He Is not descended from the
prophet, but, In their opinion, is the son
of a usurper. descendant OF Gilman, who
drove the true ruler of the faithful from
his throne in the thirteenth century. The
Sultan of Morocco has a much better title
to the headship Of the church. for be can
trace his descent direct to the daughter Of
Mahomet
More than half the tribes Of Arabia are
still in rebellion, and the sultan is power
less to enforce his orders among them. The
Mohammedans OF India, who, generally
speaking. are Il very intelligent and pro-
I'll 70 ,tpo
the present dynasty in Turkey. and it is
not likely that they or any other Moham-
medans outside of the immediate jurisdfc-
ton of the sultan would respond to any
proclamation he might make against the
Christian world.
The result of the proposed demonstration
is therefore doubtful, The combined fleet
seize the Island of Metyline the
port of Smyrna or Salonica, the principal
port Of Macedonia and take possession of
the country with its force of sailors and
marines, but it would be a perilous under
taking to pass the Dardanelles, because the
channel is narrow and is planted with
mines every foot of the way. Both banks
are covered with frowning fortresses,
armed with the latest pattern of Krupp
rapid-fire guns. In several places the chan
mel Is not more than a hundred yards from
the mouth of a cannon. The Bosphorus is
one of the most strongly fortified places on
earth; and while the Turkish army IS a
disorganized, turbulent mob of fanatics, no
better fighters were ever born. as the mill
itary history of the Ottoman empire proves.
Turkey Hopelessly Bankrupt.
Two or three years ago the French gov
eminent made a naval demonstration
against Turkey. The sultan had hired a
French firm to build a system of docks at
Salonica, and refused to pay when they
finished the job. After dunning for year
or more the French ambassador asked for
his passports and a fleet seized Metyline,
the most important of the Turkish islands,
and took possession of the custom house.
The sultan was informed that French off,
GERS would collect all the duties and taxes
there until they had enough to pay the
contractors. He Immediately surrendered
and borrowed from French banks not only
enough to pay for the DOCKS but for a large
quantity of arms and ammunition When
that debt natures France will have to send
another feet to collect it. The sultan never
pays anything unless he is forced to do so.
He owes more than $500, 10000 to
European bankers, and the revenues of his
government are not sufficient to pay the
interest upon 1t. 1t is rolling higher every
banks will stop Ioaning him money. The
present revenues of the Turkish govern
ment are about $50, coo 00O year, and the
expenditures about the same. The inter-
est on the foreign debt is sci ,922745 an
nuGlly.
The only possible way to bring Turkey to
terms and make the sultan behave himself
would be to stop loanng him money. If he
were forced to depend upon the legitimate
revenues of the empire he would be help
less.