Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-08-18

OF liberalism, always having in view
the fate of Abdul Aziz.
when the throne devolved upon
Abdul Hanid, the present ruler, he
swore to give the people freedom and
happiness by means of Il constitution,
and but for the war with Russia,
which followed Immediately, the priv
ileges then granted would have con-
tinued But the chambers were closed
and remained so until the recent issue
of the new firman.
For thirty-two years the Turkish
nation has been awaiting constitu-
ton, which has been deferred only, as /!
have said, i'll consequence of the sui
tan's apprehension that he would sur
fer the fate of his uncle. but recent
developments have forced his hand.
During the last thrty-two years Tur-
key has fallen into decay and is now
on the brink of ruin, to which it has
been driven by the great powers,
which are constantly interfering with
every internal question.
I'VE are now a free nation, and we
have 4 free government, and external
interference will be no longer tolerat-
ed Through that influence we have
lost our agriculture and our commerce.
1t is not the sultan who Is the sick
man. but the entire country
Asked why the grant of a constitu-
ton had not been made before, Mundji
Bey said:
THE sultan has been beset by adj
visers of his own and other European
states, who constantly warned him
against giving his people freedom.
Russia. Austria and Italy have been
against a constitution, but our best
| friends. England and France. have adj
| vised in its favor.
| "As regards Germany. the entire
commercial enterprises of Turkey are
| in German hands and controlled by
| German capital. and this condition of
affairs has brought ruin on the coun-
| try. We want to control our industries
| ourselves. and now that we have free
dom of speech and freedom of the
press and freedom of action generally.
we will be able to teach the world
| that we are still to be reckOned with.
| that we have energy and skill and de-
| termination and that we will exercise
| them for the advantage of our country.
| Our people are serious, and recent
| events in Macedonia, in which army
| corps after army corps joined in the
| fraternal demonstration. showed that
| the whole nation is united in the fight
| for freedom.
| Tnl = hot bn ,Ia,.
of things has always had the good will
of the sultan, who. throwing off the
shackles imposed by his advisers, Is
now as free as his people, and you will
see what few years operation of free
| institutions will do for the Turkish na-
| ton.
I'VE cannot realize all our liberal as
pirations at once; it may take some
years, but the regeneration of Turkey
will surely follow. We will build a
new navy for our protection from
nearby enemies, and between 200 and
300 of our young men will be sent to
learn the methods of the great western
powers. At one time Turkey stood
third on the list of naval powers, and
she will stand there again.
Mundji Bey said in conclusion that
the sultan was sincere in granting a
constitution, because his majesty fully
appreciated the great strides which
education has made in his dominion,
92 per cent of the people now being
able to read and write. The people
are attached to their ruler and will
support him and his dynasty with all
their strength.
'The sultan will dismiss evil advis-
ers," he said, land call to his assist
ance men of energy, honesty and abil-
ity, of whom there are many in Tur-
key, to help in the work of reform ana
regeneration"