The National tribune., 1908-08-27
rHE TURKISH UPRINING,
CONTINUED from page one.)

/
with prayers to God and solemn oaths
swore to maintain their rights and lib-
critics. In one place in Macedonia, after
an address by a Turkish officer, prayers
at his request were offered in turn by a
Turkish Imam, Protestant Bulgarian
preacher and a Jewish priest while
tears flowed from the eyes of many per-
sons in the great crowd. In Constanti-
| nople crowd of 100000 people fiocked
to the Suhan's palace, an officer ad-
yanced to an open window, where His
| Majesty appeared, and declared that
| they came to acclaim the Sultan. His
| Majesty replied, assuring them that his
object was the welfare of his people, and
that he would fulfill his word and main
tain the Constitution. Other crowds ap-
peared before different departments of
state, and in their presence the Minis
| ters swore to maintain the Constitution.
All classes of the people are wearing
bands on which are written in Turkish
the words Liberty, JUSTICE, Equality,
Fraternity" The people of Constanti-
| nople even were taken by surprise by
the suddenness and completeness of this
uprising, and much more surprised were
the people in the interior of Asia Miner.
The response. however, in the interior
cities will be no less ardent
What VIII Result.
OF course, everybody is asking, What
will be the outcome? Can it be possi-
BILE that the new ideas, now joyously
acclaimed, have triumphed over the
hoary system of despotism, injustice and
corruption? Has the Ethiopian changed
his skin and the leopard his spots? God
only knows. Time will show. We may
be sure that the old, corrupt element
which has had rule so long will show
itself as soon as it dares, will fight hard.
and will profit by any errors and eX-
cesses of the new leaders. At the bes-
it is herculean task to harmonic the
conflicting views and aspirations of diff
ferent religions and nationalities, to Sc
cure just and impartial rulers, cleanse
the courts, stop expressions and do
away with the wrongs of centuries. 1t
will be long and slow process, with
many conflict and many disappoint-
ment- At the same time there is much
reason for encouragement.
First, the present proclamation of a
constitutional regime differs widely from
that of 1876. The Constitution of that
year was a device of the Grand ViZier,
Mithad Pasha, who persuaded the Sui
tan that by the proclamation of Con-
stitution he would forestall the doings
of a European conference about to con-
vene in Constantinople, and thereby save
His Majesty from European interfer-
ence. 1t was foolish attempt, unsup-
ported by the people and dependent
simply on the Sultan's will. The present
proclamation of constitutional rights
and privileges is in response to the stern
demands of large body of military
and civil officers and educated men,
supported by troops who are the sole
dependence of the Sultan. Many of these
men are familiar with the European
system of government. and hate to the
last degree the present system of abso-
Int nf nf rfi m
They see that the only way to save the
country from disruption thru the con-
slant Intervention Of European powers
is to recognize and protect the civil
rights of all classes and races of the |
Empire. They see, too, that the present
system denies education, progress and
liberty of expression and action to Ma
hometans as well as to Christians, and
they believe and rightly. that the great |
body of the people. of all races, will be
content with a fair measure of freedom,
with protection of their lives and prop
erty. In short, for years, thru educa-
ton and travel and various other instru-
mentalities, light has spread among the
people in spite of all devices and hind
RANGES, and the new wine can never
more be compressed in the ola bottles.
Oppression brings an outburst at last,
and cannot endure forever The issue
depends upon the leadership of the
young Turkey party, both civilians and
men; upon their firmness. un-
selfshness, moderation and self-control.
If the educated Turkish leaders but
hang together, avoid extravagant de-
mands and excesses and manage to hold
the support of leading military men
they will have the backing of the people,
and can hold their own against the re-
dictionary party and even against His
Majesty. In short, a few brave, wise
and honest leaders are what the move
ment needs, and let us hope that such
men may come to the fore. We bless
God that this is a movement not of a
handful of so-called Christian revolu-
tionaries. but of great body of educat-
ed Turks.