New-York tribune., 1909-04-25

| ing for the enforcement Of the constitution
| granted in 1876 by Abdul Hamed himself and
| never repealed. had been guilty OF no offence IN
the eyes Of Islam, warranting their prescription
| by fetvah 1t was this attitude on the part OF
| the Sheikh -uI-Islam which forced the Sultan 10
yield and to recall into life the long dormant
constitution.
| Were the statesmen In power, and the Shelkh-
uI-Islarn jointly TO decide that the Sultans
| reign should cease. the following procedure,
based on precedent would be followed: The
ministers would submit to the Sheikh the ques-
| ton as 10 whether the Sultan had not become
unfit to exercise sovereignty over followers OF
| the Prophet, and would enumerate the reasons
| for their contention that he had forfeited all
claims TO allegiance The Sheikh would then, if
; he agreed with them. issue fetvah to that ef-
feet. which would give them the necessary
| authority in the eyes OF Moslems not only to
proclaim his deposition. but TO secure his person
deposition at ConstantnOple being usually fol-
lowed by speedy death, though Murad was al
lowed TO Inger after his deposition for nearly
thirty years in captivity by his brother and sue
cessor Abdul Hamed.
| INVESTITURE OF A NEW SULTAN.
The seating OF Sultan may be divided
! into two parts. the constituting his
| thronement while the other. a day two after
ward is known as the Ceremony Of the sword,
| The former of these two functions is follows:
| A new Sultan is driven In a closed carriage 10
| the old Seraglio which may be described as the
citadel of the capital built by Mahomet II.
VINO conquered Constantinope. and has its
| principal entrance the so-called Sublime Porte.
| from which the government OF the Ottoman En-
| pire takes it's name Through this archway the
| new Sultan drives. On alighting he Is con-
Quoted TO one OF the principal state apartments
| OF the Selamlik. There he remains. while in an
I adjoining hall the Grand Nizter. with the
! Shekh ul-Isam at his side, announces TO the
| assembled dignitares OF the empire that. by
virtue Of a fetvah OF the Sheikh- ul-I Islam the
| one Sultan has been deposed and the new one
| appointed to take his place
| AS soon al he has finished speaking, the Fet-
| vah Emeni or Grand Notary OF the Sheikh- uI-
| Islam reads the fetvah, and when he has ended
! the new Sultan is ushered in to receive the
| homage OF all present. each one according to his
! rank approa ching him in turn and reverently
| kissing the hem Of his stambouline. or single
| breasted black frock coat The Sultan
| thereupon repairs to the sanctuary of the Serag
! lio where the Hirikai Shereef or Mantle Of the
| Prophet Mahomet. Is preserved. Prayers
! offered by the Shekh- -ul-Isam, the Padshah's
| act of recognition is read by the Grand Vizier.
| and then the Sultan appears the dais of the
| great hall known the Ortakapou. and seats
| himself on the golden throne OF his predeces-
| sors surrounded by the Imaums who intone
! the solemn chant of proclamation. Military
| bands strike up the imperial anthem and all
present cry Long life to the Sutan." which
! brings this portion of the ceremony to close.
! The real conservation OF the Sultan-that is
! TO say, the Ceremony of the Sword-does not
/ take place until day or two later and not until
| II Is completed Is the Padshah really entitled
to either the temporal or spiritual homage or his
people 1t is held in the exqulstely beautiful
| Mosque of Eyoob, a perfect dream in white
/ marble erected by Sultan Mahomet II. to mark
| the grave OF Eyoob, the comrade and lieutenant
| OF the Prophet, who fell under the walls OF Con-
stantinope on the occasion of its first siege by
the Saracens in the seventh century. 1t is in
this mosque, so sacred that no Unbeliever is