The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-07-28
decree 81 Abdul Hanid, Sultan

decree 81 Abdul Hand, Sultan 1
Turkey, Friday. s &
While AZ the nations Of the col
Etinnent have shown progress, III Oh
way or another, . the past few hui
sdred years--TTparticularly in the las
century, the government of the Sulta,
has not changed one whit since th
day whensthe Ottoman forces marche
into Constantinople. From that da,
TO this, the land has been governe,
pby the law Of the east. The Turl
came as a tester to the civilization o
Europe, and 1t has remained, a sor,
from that time to this.
All Europe Is now, ana always ia,
been, agreed that the sultan should b,
driven across the Bosphorus, but NJ
two nations have been able to agree
as to the method to be adopted, orsthe
partition Of the territory, once the
unspeakable race is elected from the
land.
With Oriental cunning, the Turk
has taken advantage Of the failure Of
Continental powers to agree among
themselves, to murder, pillage and
outrage entire communities. The Sui.
tan has lived in barbaric splendor,
and the people have maintained in
situations such al are not permitted
in any other section Of the world.
In the twinklin:ss Of an eye, almost.
this is changed and yesterday is
rolled up in the scroll Of ancient
history. A new order exists, Turkey,
by the word Of the sultan emerges
from the long sleep, and advances
to 9 reint even beyond that OF Russia
for a chamber of deputies has been
authorized, and the ruler Of the land.
has promulgated a constitution.
This vas brought about by the de-
mand of the people. Contact with
European institutions and peoples,
and the inevitable progress of q race,
under the most trying circum-
stances, brought demands for reform,
which kept growing, year by year.
The sultan Of Turkey does not rule
as do the heads OF European govern
nents He is surrounded by a few
scheming ministers, who intrigue one
the other, for his favor. One
man does not trust another. Before
The sultan takes a bit Of food, the
man who cooked It must first eat OF
t, to show to him that It has not been
poisoned. s 4
Finally the demand OF the people,
di~saffection in all parts Of his en-.
Dire, the revolt of troops, the revolu.
tactics Of the dependencies
he rebellious attitude Of the Turks
themselves, reached the ears Of the
'uler, and at one stroke OF the pen,
he influence Of the ministers ST an
lncient civilization is swept aside
nd q new order Of things established.
he people demanded reform-and he
as replied by placing in their hands
parliament through which they may
York out their own ideas, IN their|
wn way.
The action is revolutionary, although
! is voluntary It lifts Turkey from
he depths OF darkness. The most
ated man in Europe Friday morning.
popular within an hour, for
lstead Of looking to a single indi-
Idual in the future, to alleviate their
lferings and to supply their wants,
lie people have had placed within
leir hands the power to attain tina.
hich is best, not for a class, but FOR
le greatest number.
Abdul Hamid Is a Turk, keen, !.
lrewd, cunning and cruel-a man /,
but little principle, but in the
,cree he has issued he goes further
an appears on the face. To his !.
'ople he has granted demands far in :
cess Of anything they ever sought :
ID to militant Europe, about to wipe
N off the map, he has asked: /,
What are you going to do about !
e
HEN MlLLloNAlREs ARE BOY
NJ ~ CoTTED. S tM7 r
When the grocers and butchers and sI1
hers OF Newport had To organize. u