New-York tribune., 1907-01-13
AUDIENCE WITH SULTAN
Hozo the Sublime Porte Keeps Con-
troll of the Conversation.

dinIomatist recently accredited to the Sui
tan describes how he once secured an audience
of his majesty and how he Jared His object
to obtain the confirmation or an already
chosen archbishop to a Macedonian see For
weeks he thwarted by officials OF the court,
and then for more weeks by the Sultan himself
who professed to be too busy to see him How
ever, at last he was, really received and TINS is
what happened His majesty awaited me In
small but richly furnished room he stood
in the uniform of a Turkish colonel by low
sofa, with his gloved left hand on the hiit or
his sword His rather long, melancholy coun-
tenance was curiously and subty lighted by a
sort Of good humored latent smile Even in
his dark and usually sad eyes the same strange
laughter seemed TO lie. In them one could read
either suppressed merriment or irony. Prob
ably he was foretasting the humor OF the diplo-
matte transaction which was to follow, and en-
joying II quietly!
81 sat exactly opposite the Sultan who took
place alone on the sofa. About yard away
on his left the accomplished dragoman OF the
palace. Ibrahim Bey occupied a small chair.
and on my left my own dragoman. Look
ing me- straight in the face. Abdul Hamid said
couple OF phrases I'm musical Turkish, speak
ing very low. Ibrahim Bey bowed low, made
the Temenas and began 10 translate. This he
did afresh each time the Sultan spoke. TIL. at
the end Of the audience. he was quite weary
with the gymnastic exercises. He began thus:
His majesty commands me to say how much
he regrets not having been able 10 receive you
had a subject he particularly wished to discuss
with you. His majesty is pleased to see you.
subject replied that deeply sensible OF
the honor conferred me, the as my
government had charged me 10 bring TO the per-
sonal notice OF his majesty a question OF some
Importance. ] especially delighted to find
his majesty so ready to enter upon details. The
Sultan bent his head slightly toward and
murmured a few words with sphinxlike smile.
Before his majesty begins TO talk about that
matter he wishes 10 know how long you were
accredited TO the Court Of st. James's
This seemed curious introduction 20 the de-
csion OF the archbishoprio in Macedonia Ques-
ton. but I replied that altogether l had been
about seven years in London:
Then you must be well acquainted with
English society,"
II replied that in my modest way I thought
knew something OF the English
VERY well! His majesty is most anxious to
have your opinion on English women
In spite Of myself 1 cried out. WHAT and
looked to my Interpreter 10 II Ibrahm Bey
had translated Alright He nodded. and Ibra-
him Bey repeated. His majesty would know
what a man like yourself. who is familiar with
English society. thinks OF the women
They are good and pretty, I answered
briefly wondering what the qualities of English
women had to do with the case of my unconse
Grated bishop.
His majesty says that when he was In Eng
land he saw many beautiful women l opened
my eyes wider and wider and ventured TO ask
Was his majesty ever in England?'
Certainly; l and my elder brother. Murad.
accompanied our uncle. Sultan Abdul Azz-
heaven rest his soul-to England to visit Queen
Victoria His majesty uttered these words
scarcely above a whisper looking very seriously
ana sadly at tne NoOr. we were all silent for
minute, in Difference to the recollectons OF his
uncle and brother awakened in his pious
memory.
Then. however. he broke into a long speech
which Ibrahim rendered quickly into French
His majesty says that tall and fine officer
was attached to his suite; a very agreeable off,
Ger. His majesty fancies to have read or heard
that this same officer fell like brave soldier on
the battlefield later. When we were in England
the officer ordered bottle OF Scotch whisky and
soda water to be placed on little table in the
anteroom, and made speech to my brother and
me on the sovereign virtues OF this drink He
also tried to convince us that IT was impossible
that the Koran should forbid its use When he
found he could not persuade US he concluded by
trusting that though we did not partake our
selves we would not take II Ill IL he did Evil
IDENTIFY the Sultan understands French perfectly
as 1brahim Bey had no sooner ended the transIa-
ton of one phrase than ne began another
punctuating here and there with audible
laughter.
"'His majesty says that the officer often re-
peated these tactics. AT last, says his majesty
when my brother and saw bottle after bottle of
The officer Is a nice fellow and a fine soldier.
he is our friend. and we are his friends We are
him that he drinks too much" So we remon-
strated with him; and what was Lis answer
He gazed at us in amazement and then burst
out laughing. rs II possible that your royal
highnesses think that drink too much Of this
whisky? What would your royal highnesses
say II you could see how much many of the
ladies In our best society drink?"' And he
laughed louder still And now your excelIency
concluded Ibrahim Bey solemnly what his ma,
Jesty wishes to know from you Is this-is II
really true that English ladies drink?'
L answered warmly that whatever may have
been the case thirty or thirty-nye wears aeo
his majesty might take my word for Ii that Eng
ish ladies did not drink nowadays His maies
tvs ironic smile departed He looked grave as
II meditating some great problem and then
said: Tt gives me great pleasure to hear Won
say so. You confirm my view. Often since
then 1 have asked myself. Gould the English
nation be what IT is If the women of England
drank more than or even as much as the men p"
1 am glad that your observations In London
It,
went into long praise of English women. re-
ferrfng to the saying, non Angli. sed Angel 7
seized this allusion drowning man reaches
at straw.
Sire. ! interrupted. rising and bowling
deeply. being copied by Ibrahim Bey your
naJesty's mention OF angels reminds me of
heaven. and heaven saEninds me Of oh,ayohna