New-York tribune., 1909-05-23

rCory-ight. 1909. BY the Brentwood Company
Where is Abdul Hands treasure? That is
the question which is exciting more universal in
terest than any other in connection with the
crisis at Constantinople. It was estimated a
few weeks before his deposition at over $500
000090 Enormous 5 is this figure, it will no
longer appear exaggerated when the fact is
taken into consideration that throughout the
thirty-three years of his reign he has had virtu-
ally free access 10 the national treasury and the
first claim upon all the annual revenues; that
he made use Of his autocratic power TO procure
great estates in every portion Of his empire and
that he. as a general rule, confiscated the fort
unes of all those who had incurred his dis
pleasure or who had died within his reach
Thus. ex-Khedive Isnlail of Egypt, who was in
duced under the most tempting promises to
transfer his residence from Naples to Stamboul-
Abdul Hamid even going so far 10 hold out
to him prospects Of restoration TO the throne at
Cairo and who was detained in gilded captivity
for the remainder of his days on the shores Of
Bosporus-is known 10 have left a colossal
fortune of which the Sultan ooolly assumed pos
session, turning a deaf ear TO the dead man 5
family and relatives. The extent of Ismails
wealth NAV be estimated by the fact that for an
entire week prior to his own deposition, in 1879,
ammunition wagons were engaged in conveying
treasure from his palace of Abdeen. at cairo. by
1ne OLD ana deserted Itdu 10 SteL' N4Sit II 'N''
placed on board an Italian steamship which had
been chartered for the purpose. II may safely
therefore be taken for granted that the figure
Of S1500O0000 given as a conservative esu-
mate OF the fortune Of Abdul Hamid. is not eN-
aggerate6. The most careful search OF the
Yildiz Kiosk. where Abdul Hamid made his
home for more than three decades, has led TO the
discovery OF sums amounting 70 some SS,ooooVO
hidden away in caches revealed by his former
retainers. But the bulk of his treasure has not
been found, for the very simple reason that 1t
has been deposited abroad. Abdul Hamid. fol-
lowing the example Of most other European
sovereigrs has always kept very large sum on
deposit in foreign banks. partly in provision OF
the loss Of his throne and partly. too, in order 10
assure the future of those Of his wives and OF
his children who enjoyed in more special de-
gree than the others his love and affection.
Ever since the coup d'etat Of last September.
when he was compelled to promulgate anew the
constitution which he had granted in 1876 he
has been adding TO his boards abroad, with the
idea OF placing all his available property beyond
the reach Of any such revolution as that by
which he has now been overwhelmed A man Of
remarkable shrewdness and ability he is known
TO have realized his danger and to have pre-
pared fer il. Indeed, there is no doubt that
he would have escaped capture had it not been
that he had not sufficiently taken into account
the speed with which the troops from Salonlca
moved upon Constantinope and their remark
able organization.
BANKS WILL REFUSE INFORMATION.
That the Turkish government Will ever
cover any Of this treasure which the ex-Sultan
has in safe keeping in foreign capitals is to the
last degree unlikely. Indeed. the banks in which
the money is deposited may be relied upon to
withhold ali information TO its character and
extent. Moreover, several of the financial in
stitutions where he is known TO have money
have announced that they viii even go SO far
10 refuse 10 honor his signature as long he
mains a prisoner and is not free agent II is
fortunate that this has been widely published at
Constantinople, for il will have the effect of
protecting the fallen Padishah from any attempt
the part Of his jailers 10 extort from him by
means OF threats. maltreatment and even tort
ure orders upon the custodians OF his property
for its surrender
None have watched the attitude of the ex-
SuItan's banks abroad IN this matter with a
greater arno1nt of interest than the various
crowned heads Of Europe: and it must have
been with feeling Of distinct relief that they
have learned that Abdul Hamid's money is be-
yond the reach Of the new government in Tur-
key: so secure, indeed, that he himself
cannot obtain possession OF any portion thereof