The Washington herald., 1907-10-20
FRIEND TO AMERICA
Turkish Ambassador Talks
of His Mission Here.
QUICK TO ADOPT MANNERS
Mchmed All Bey Declares He VIII
soon Learn English and VIII Send
His Children tn Public Schools.
son of Most Distinguished Man in
the SuItan's DOminIons.

That the Sultan Of Turkey recognizes
the Importance Of the United States as a
world power is demonstrated by his
appointment OF Mehmed Ali Bey as the
first Turkish Ambassador 10 this country
The new Ottoman diplomat and repre-
sentative Of Abdul Hamid arrived in this
country last Tuesday. and is now living
at the Ebbtt. in this city. He is ac-
companied by his wife, sister-in-Iaw. five
children, a secretary, and tutor for his
children.
Mehmed Ali Bey is a man about fifty
years old. of medium size. and broad
shouldered. He has a swarthy complex
ion. and his eyes are OF keen gray, which
light up with animation when he on
cages in conversation. The new ambss-
sador has black hair, and wears a full
beard, similar to that worn by the Sui
tan. He dresses in European clothes.
Another significant fact in connection
with Mehmed Ali Bey's selection for the
Washington post. is that his father is
one of the most powerful officials of the
Sultan. and is a warm personal friend of
Ambassador Le!shman.
The report gained currency some
tine ago that Izzet Pasha. the father
Of Menmed Ali Bey, had been for some
time the principal obstacle to the ele-
walton of the United States Legation at
StambOul into an embassy, Mehmed
Ali most emphatically denied this yes
terday. He said that just the opposite
l L. - 60
ways been a friend OF Ambassador
Leishman, and that he was largely in
strumental In having the Sultan recog-
nize the new status of the American
representative at the Sublime Porte.
Speaking about his inability to speak
the English language huently, Mehmed
Ali smiled and said:
1T won't take me long 10 learn your
language: my daughter speaks Eng
liSh fairly well, she attended the Eng
lish school AT Constantinople. I shall
send my children to the public schools
and give them a thorough American
education"
Ihsan Bey, who will be the second
secretary Of the Embassy, also arrived
with his chief, and is at the Ebbitt
The first secretary Of the Embassy-to-
be. Dejalal Munif Bey. who is In Con-
stantinOple is expected to return to
his post here in tive near future ChekIb
Bey. the retiring Turkish Minister. will
not return to COnstaneinOple until his
successor presents his credentials to
President Roosevelt. which he expects
to do. as soon as the latter returns
from his bear-shooting expedition.
Father Is SuItan's Advisor.
Mehmed Ali Bey is the favorite son of
the most influential man in the domin-
ions of the Sultan. The ENJOYS father
is Izzet Pasha. At the Yildiz Kiosque he
is known by his Turkish title which.
translated into English. means com
municator Of the verbal commands of his
imperial majesty" That means that he
enjoys the distinction to give orders IN
the name Of the Padishah. not merely TO
subOrdinates. Dut even to ministers and
great dignitaries of state, and 10 princes
Of the blood
II Is seldom that any of the leading
statesmen, or even foreign ambassadors
can obtain direct access to the Sultan
without going first to Izzet Pasha. That
his influence over the Sultan Is powerful
cannot be doubted. and what has espe-
cially impressed Abdul Hamid with the
cleverness of IZZet is the manner in
which the latter has advised him In mat
/ ters Of international import