The Paducah weekly sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1902-19??, 1906-10-03
TURKISH REBELS
g LIVE IN GENEVA
and Christians and
Aspirants 20 Throne of sultan
In League.
YOUNG TURKEY PARTY STRONG.

tiers of the several organizations hos
tile to the sultan of Turkey are in
Geneva. They have recently pooled |
their issues and changed their policy |
There are four general organizations, |
each of which has several branches |
and factions with considerable rivalry !
jealousy and antagonism. They are
the following:
First. thu" Wahabites are sect OF
the Mohammedan church which de-
MES the title of the sultan and the
present dynasty of the Ottoman en-
pire to the caliphate or chieftainship
of the Mohammedan church. They
declare that the present sultan is an
impostor; that his ancestors many
many centuries ago secured the cali
phate by conquest In violation OF all
the teachings of the Koran, and they
refuse to recognize his spiritual or
ecclesiastical authority. The chief
strength of the Wahabite movement
| is in Arabia, where revolution
breaks out every few years against
the spiritual and the temporal aur
thority OF the sultan. These revolu
/ tons have been periodical for more
than a century. but accomplish moth
ing more than the slaughter of the
troops that are sent down to suppress
them.
The second organization in num-
} beers and strength is intended for the
emancipation of the Turkish prov
ince OF Armenia and it extends all
over the world. II is particularly
strong in the United States and in
England. and. indeed, wherever two
or more Armenlans live there is a
/ patriotic organization. Their love
! for their country is Intense, but
through the jealousy and rivalry of
leaders they are broken into several
| factions.
The third organization is for the
purpose OF securing freedom OF Ma
oedona. Turkish province lying
along the Mediterranean south OF Bull
garia. the native country of Alexan-
der the Great, Cleopatra of Egypt and
various other famous characters OF
ancient times
THE cry from Macedonia" TO the
Christian powers is one of the most
pitiful appeals for help and protec-
ton that was ever uttered by human
beings. No people have suffered
more from persecution. The popula
ton OF that heroic country has been
well-nigh exterminated by the bashi-
zazouks and other Turkish soldiers.
At present the Macedonia commit
tee. a" which has its headquarters at
Sofia. the capital of Bulgaria, and
for years has been leading the strug-
gle for liberty. is resting from its
labors for lack of funds. primarily,
and also pending the trial Of various
reforms that have been introduced
there
The young Turkey Party" is an
organization intended to overthrow
the despotism and establish a liberal
monarchy at Constitutions: TO
abolish the present regime and mod
ernie the government 1t is com
posed OF the best people in Turkey.
the educated classes. the merchants.
the men of affairs and all who desire
the progress and welfare of the peo-
pie, for the policy of the present gov
eminent Is to crush out intelligence
and prevent prosperity because both
are dangerous to despots. For O0vi-
Gus reasons the organization must be
secret and nobody knows who be-
longs to it. There are a few leaders
who are identified and most OF them
are in Geneva.
| Altogether there are about three
hundred Turkish refugees in the city.
including about sixty students In the
university, most OF them Armenians.
The brother-in-law OF the sultan. the
husband of his oldest sister. was the
recognized leader OF the Young
Turkey Party" until his death in
Paris year or so ago. and | suppose
his son. Sabaheddin. may be cons.d
cred the nominal, II not the actual
leader of the movement today This
nephew of the sultan was for short
time a student at Robert college, the
Presbyterian institution at CONSTANT
nople. but was compelled TO fiy when
his father was denounced as a trail
tor.