Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-08-18
ULNNIHIN i III LUUIINU
Her Influence Over Turkish Policies
is on Wane.
LESS RESPECTED THAN BEFORE
Relations Have Been
Strained Of Late.
BRIDGE INCIDENT Is IN POINT
BRIDGE INCIDENT Is IN POINT
Firm with Contract Has Never Been
Given Word to Begin.
MONEY AT HAND FOR THE WORK
Military situation in Yamen Unsatis-
factory from Turkish Point
of VIew--Long War
Ahead.

factory from Turkish Point
of vIew--Long War
Ahead.
CONsTANTINOPLE, Aug l7.-(speciaI)
German influence in Turkey appears to be
on the decline. For many years, and until
quite recently, Germany enjoyed an ex-
ceptionally privileged situation in Turkey
Everywhere throughout the country the
power of German influence and the energy
of German action were making themselves
felt with increased force. AS regards pol
itcs, the imperial divan, or rather, Yildiz
Kiosk, where is centered all political power
took no decision of any Importance without
first consulting the German emperor whose
advice was always religiousiy listened to
and followed. 1t is only necessary to recall
the events in Crete, the Greek war and the
Mitylene incident to be satisfied that in
reality Germany directed Turkish policy.
On the other hand, II German enterprises
commercial, financial Industrial, have
attained the high development and degree
OF prosperity they have, 1t is greatly due
to the initiative courage and activity of
the individuals interested and also to the
encouragement and protection they obtain
from their government. But there would
be no exaggeration in saying that the prin-
oipal factor In their progress is the marked
favor which all German enterprises en-
toyed up to the present from the Turkish
authorities, from the highest person who
gave the orders TO the lowest who executed
them perhaps without enthusiasm, but al
ways with fidelity. For fifteen years all the
big orders for war material have gone to
Germans It was only necessary for Krupp's
representative to make a tender for any
other offer to be at once refused. The Ger
mans have secured all the imp rtant conces-
sions and the high posts in the army and
we'll paid posts in the government depart
ments.
German Commerce Thrived.
It was only natural that German COM
Eerce. under this high favor Of the au-
thorities developed greatly and little by
little supplanted the trade OF other coun-
tries. II is, however, certain that for
some time its influence has been waning
and a change has occurred in high quar-
ters with regard to Germany. This is
particularly to be noticed IN the evident
tendency there is on the part OF the gov
ernment TO oppose all demands and claims,
even the most Just ones. II made by Ger
mans. by offering it's pet weapon. pas
sNe TeSlStance. IN spite OF al tne energy
of the German ambassador. many ques-
tions which few months ago would have
been settled at once remain unsettled. be-
cause the government pays no attention
to the demands One OF these, which. as
It is a purly business matter. is of rela-
lively small Importance. but owing to the
circumstances connected with It has a Pc
culiar signifcation.
An iron-foating bridge connects Galata
and Stamboul 1t is a famous bridge, and
has been 30 often described that It is
unnecessary to do here. II Is. how
ever most famous for the way It has
withstood the attacks of the elements and
age and incessant collisions with the Turk
ish ferry steamers, but in spite of every
thing It continues to act as a Turkish
bridge. 1t is an absolute ruin, and the
lives OF thousands of people are daily en-
dangered by 1t. For over twenty years
the government has been troubled by this
state of things. which might lead to
catastrophe, and has several times thought
OF repairing t. But the execution of a
plan takes long time with the Turks
Anyhow, six months ago a German firm
got the concession for the construction
of a new bridge. The contract was signed
and the bridge was to be ready for use in
twenty months, the government undertak-
ing to pay the cost OF construction in regu-
lar installments
Germans Arranged Loan.
In order to make these payments the
government agreed to contract n loan
with the Deutsche bank of Sl,00O.10O,
to which the latter agreed. 1t hooked
as II there was nothing more to be done
but to set to work, but in spite of le-
dor. in spite of the good will of the
Deutsche bank, which offered to make
the first payment without waiting for
the guarantees, and in spite of the con-
stant danger to the population OF the
town nothing is done. The grand viz!er
refuses all the facilities offered and al
ways puts OF the FIRST payment neces-
sary for the commencement of the work.
The non-execution of this work. so es-
sential to the safety and comfort OF
the town, is due to question of offended
dignity. When the last loan was OBJ
tained in France by the Turkish gov
ernment a certain amount OF the loan
was used for purchases from French
firms. The greater part of the orders
were given to Creusot, but still a sum
of t650.0Oo remained over for French
firms, and then the Turks had the grand
idea OF giving to the French--who did
not want 1.-THE construction Of the
bridge. Acting at once. the process
verbal was prepared and sent by the
porte for the imperial sanction. but in
Turkey everything is known as SOM,
or sooner, than 1t is done. and the Cor
man ambassador got wind OF the AFFAIR
before the sultan had even received the
papers. He at once went to the palace
and in very strong language protested
against the concession being given to
anyone except German firm. He said
that during the last twelve years the
sultan had several times promised In
the most precise and formal manner.
that the bridge should be rebuilt by a
German arm and that he had come to
demand the fulhllment of the promise.
Within twenty-four hours the contract
was signed between the Ottoman gov
ernment and q German nrm. But the