Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-13
SULTAN 0UTW|TTED
How His People Cast Off the
Calling Yoke of Despotism.
RECENT DOINGS IN TURKEY
Reforms Promised and Withdrawn
Obtained by Peaceful Revolution.
WOMEN ARE EMANCIPATED
Former Deputies Were Dignified and
1ntelligent-New Parliament
Will Be Unique.
RECENT DOINGS IN TURKEY
WOMEN ARE EMANCIPATED
BY WILLIAM F.. CURTIS.

AAA ASO SAAQuc.
BY WILLIAM F.. CURTIS
"ri'teh Tor The Star and the Chicago Record
Herald.
Siam is now the only independent ma
ton without constitutional government,
either actual or promised Russia. China
Persia and Turkey one after the other
have Joined the list of limited monarch
les within the last three years. and each
OF them is now passing through the expe-
rience required of every nation which at
tempts representative government. 1t is
to be hoped "the Young Turks" as the
leaders of the revolution in the Ottoman
empire are called, will not repeat the
mistakes made by the liberals in Persia
and Russia, who have tried to do too
much. go too fast and root up institutions
that have existed for ages and substitute
new ones in an instant.
Autocracy Is Doomed.
1t is difficult to restrain enthusiasm,
and it is impossible to create an ideal ad-
ministration out of inexperienced mate
rial China is acting more wisely than
either Persia or Russia, and is proceed
ing by short steps and gradual changes
so that the people can adjust themselves
to new conditions without confusion. In
Persia there has been temporary inter-
ruption of progress because the leaders, ~
the liberal party were too impetuous.
They endeavored to make reforms and
changes for which neither the shah nor
the people were prepared, and provoked
resistance that developed into brief but
bloody civil war andea confusion that has
not yet subsidized.
But the interruptions in Russia and
Persia are only temporary. Revolutions
do not go backward, and while the army
of progress may be dtained in its march,
no autOcrat can undo entirely what has
been done in either of those countries in
the direction of representative govern
ment. The autocracy is doomed. The alb
Solute deSpotiSm Is obsolete as a form of
government, and will never again be re-
vived among civilized people. The popu-
latiOns of Russia, Persia. China and Tur-
key are by no means prepared for self
government: their lack of education and
experience makes them incompetent to
rule themselves. but experience is easily
acquired. although sometimes at a terri-
BILE price.
Reforms in Turkey.
When Abdul Hamid, Familiarity known
among his subjects as Abdul the
Damned" was elevated to the throne Of
the Ottoman empire In August 1876, by
Tic llUtId1 uThS anu ATTcnldnS unOer
the leadership of Midhat Pasha they ex-
acted from him pledge that he Would
give them a representative constitutional
government; that he would proclaim a
constitution and summon parliament to
make the laws. 1t was agreed between
him and the leaders of the revolution
that the Anticipated despotism in Turkey
should terminate and mOdernized Sys-
tenn of administration be substituted. He
fulfilled this pledge by appointing the re-
f<v-v hat Do, TT
or prime minister by proclaiming a con-
stitution which Midhat had prepared, and
by ordering an election for delegates to a
parliament which assembled March 10,
1877, seven months after his accession to
the throne.
He received the one hundred and twenty
deputies in the banquet hall of the beau
tiful palace of Dolma Baghtche on the
BOSphorus, and made a speech to them
which contained profuse promises for a
reorganization of the government. the
publication of the judiciary and many
other reforms. The senators and depu-
ties took the oath of Office in the presence
of their sovereign and organized in an
ancient palace in Stamboul. called Oar
Nel-Funum. which had been remOdeled
for a parliament house. They prepared a
response to the speech from the throne
and congratulated their sovereign and his
subjects upon the prospect of a better
and more liberal government.
The constitution of December %, 1876.
was quite liberal, although it did not go
so far many of the reformers de-
manded. Midhat was a wise man and be-
lieved in making haste slowly. He real
lied that the people of Turkey were not
prepared for self-government and that
they could absorb liberty only In small
doses. Therefore the constitution con-
tanned only few vital concessions. The
following were the chief articles:
Constitutional Provisions Liberal.
/. Declaring the existing territory Of
the ottoman empire indivisibe
=. Proclaimi-g the sultan caliph with
full prerogatives and powers, subject to
the limitations of parliament.
). Proclaiming liberty of person and
the inviolability of property.
1. Declaring Islam the religion of the
state. but liberation. free exercise of wor-
ship and full political rights for members
of other sects.
D. Proclaming liberty of thought
speech and press throughout the empire.
6. Proclaiming free and compulsory
primary education.
L Forbidding the interference of the
executive or the military with the courts
and giving the courts jurisdiction over
the police.
g. Providing for a parliament to con-
siSt of two chambers. a senate of twenty
five members. to be appointed by the sui
tan. and a chamber of deputies with one
member for each 100000 of population. to
be elected by the people every four years.
8. The parliament to make the laws
subject to the approval Of the sultan
with sole power to levy taxes and direct
the expenditures of the revenues.
Deputies Proved Their Capacity.
Thirty-two days after the meeting Of
t he new parliament. in April. 1876. Russia
declared war against Turkey because of
compiled tiOns in the Balkan states. Mar
tial law was proclaimed. and both the
constitution and the parliament We're lost
sight of in the excitement and confusion
Of the moment The chamber of deputies
however. continued its sessions for sew
eral months. and its Independent attitude
alarmed and hampered the sultan. who
relieved himself of that new form of
peril by dissolving the body February H.
1873. and suspending the constitution i'm
definitely. 1t remained in suspense until
July -. 1908.
Although the Turks were entirely with
nc V0"n