The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-08-29
BY WILLIAM ELLIS.


Turkey is holding an important place
in the days news. Among the events
of worldwide significance being re-
corded by the cables few are more in
teresting or portentous than what has
taken place within the past month in
the realm Of Abdul Hamid. That ruler,
whose heaped-up atrocities have cried
aloud in the ears Of civilization for
vengeance, has suddenly been forced
into the role of reformer. With his
whole vast empire in revolt, he has
been compelled to yield to the demands
of the young Turkish party and pro-
claim a constitutional government.
This is the news that a few weeks ago
electrified civilization. In all the recent
awakenings of the backward and SOM
nolent nations there has been no more
dramatic pronouncement than this.
What the reform of Turkey means it is
difficult for persons in this land of free
dom to realize. The simple statement
that there are thousands Of Turkish
refugees in this country, who had fed
for their lives from the sultan's tyran-
ny, is a window through which I'M
speakable oppression may be d1mly
seen. All these refugees have been
pardoned by a proclamation of amnes-
ty issued this month.
A reform in Turkish government
means the lifting of the yoke of in
credible oppression from the necks of
millions of people. 1t means that the
Macedonian atricities are to eEd, and
the Armenian massacFes to be no more.
Many persons who today are reading,
without especial interest or intelligence,
of the reforms in Turkey, will be glad
to tell their children, generatloni
hence. that they were witnesses or
these epocha1 changes. Years viii be
needed to reveal the full import of these
events, Assuming that the reform is
genuine and continuing, it means the
cessation of unmeasured oppression
and Injustice and an opportunity for
millions to live normal and happy lives.
With the reform of Turkey the last i'm
portant citadel of national intolerance
falls.
The causes of the Sultan's trade.
which restores in actually constitu-
tional form of government to the peo-
pre. are various. There is not dis
cernibIe any real change of mind on
the part of the ruler himself. He
was simply forced to take this
momentous step to save his life. Even
after the issuance of the proclamation
Of reform, an attempt was made on
the Sultan's life, which was thwarted
only by the fact that he habitually
wears coat of mail. Undoubtedly,
the young Turkish party has been
primarily responsible for the re-
mOQSIl6O VI 6chAAOu ~
perfectly that even in this hour OF
triumph their real leader is not
known, they have kept up persistent
and powerful propaganda or reform.
They have sown the seeds of revolu-
ton all over the empire. 1t was the
dfsaffection which they created among
the army that finally broke the rulers
intolerant antagonism. He saw that
the whole nation was seething with
revolt, and simply yielded to the IN
evitable. The young Turkish party
compelled him to install a genuinely
progressive cabinet; they stand as the
dread invisible eensors Of his every
act.
The springs Of every abiding reform
lie deep in the hearts Of the people.
They may be long in growing to an
overwhelming food, but grow they
must.
Back of the labors of the reform
party in Turkey, and really responsible
for its existence, was the spirit of un-
rest and of the love of liberty caused
by education and Christianity. 1t is
have had any part in the progressive
movement in Turkey. While they
have refused to participate In political
or revolutionary activities, they have
nevertheless stood for those ideals
which ultimately make q man q war
rfor against oppression and iniquity.
No man can become imbued with the
spirit of Christ without also becoming
imbued with the spirit of liberty The
gospel makes its converts champions
of human right everywhere. In this