Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-06-17

remains still nominally faithful to his rule
the cause of the pretender will fall as rap
idly as II arose and gradually die out.
Sultan May Lose Hope.
Still. the necessity of strong EFFORT on
the sultan's part is manifest. But with the
government he has to back him up. Il
seems impossible that any can be made,
and Il is natural enough that, seeing all
the pitfalls In his path, the sultan may
have given up all hope. Out OF comic
opera no one has ever seen a government
such as that which at present misrules Fec.
There is but on exception, and that is
Abdel Kirm Ben Sliman, the minister Of
foreign affairs. who is an honorable man.
He still retains some Of the best traditions
OF the olden times. His grandfather had
his head cut on for treason, which some
how gives the grandson quite an air OF
having been brought up in all the best ira
ditlons OF the state. Cunning and merry
looking. he is, they, say, poet. Report
proclaims him honest-that Is, as far as II
IL possible for him to be in his position.
He clearly sees the ruin OF the Moors and,
though an amiable fanatic. not liking Chris
tians over much, would welcome anything
that would bring order and security. He
knows the feelings Of the outside world
having himself been envoy both in Paris
and St. Petersburg; he has intelligence and
tact though he lacks both courage and
initiative, but II a strong prime minister
| were to arise, like Jonah's gourd. and
spread his shadow over all the land, Ben
| sliman certainly would second him with all
his intellect and knowledge OF affairs.
Chamberlain a Negro.
The chamberlain is a stout negro, one
1 Hak
fair. round belly with good ''couscous'
lined. He once was governor OF Tetuan.
is now lord chamberlain, and only in an
opera, either OF onenbach or Lecocq, could
such a man be found. Fit at a moments
notice TO play Bones" or mr. johnson"
at Chrtsty minstrels' show, he really Is
Moorish mountebank, whom no one could
take seriously, even in Fee. the land OF
paradox. Being negro, he IL less fanatical
than most OF his eompeers and foreigners
| who know him say he is hospitable In his
! new palace, built with the money he has
! stolen from various sources, where he loves
20 entertain. Naturally he knows nothing
Of affairs. being profoundly ignorant OF
everything outside the daily round OF cere-
monial state In which he spends his life.
Still, he is not an evil counselor, and only
let him steal little now and then and he
will not actively set himself up against
| reform.
Gubbas, the minister OF war, looks like
Babu from Bengal. or perhaps more re-
sembles an old charwoman in a provincial
town. Why he was chosen for the post
that once Menebhi hIled. Allah alone can
tell. but in himself he is kindly man
enough, speaking both French and English
huently and we'll English he learned in
Manchester. where he lived as a merchant
became a liberal and free trader. and to
this day laments the death OF Mr.. Glad
stone, whom he refers to as great man OF
state and very liberal" His common salu-
tation Is MY dear" which he applies 20
all and sundry. patting their hands. after
the fashion OF a cardinal as shown upon the
stage.
House of Lies.
The grand viEier is 81 Fedul Chant, He
IL now old and counts for little In the state.
but has been In his time a figure. having
served faithfully the sultans. according 70
his lights. and having never had the chance
TO make his fortune until quite lately IN
his extreme old age. His house 10 called
"Aaouinsd el Kidoup," that Il. the manu-
factory OF lies. and Moors relate. II you
watch carefully. that with the sparks that
issue from his chimnsys when alight, lies
minEle by the yard All this he takes q
| great commitment 10 his intelliRence and