The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1909-06-03
0be Jeffersontan

W0Ie CeHI0fS OF turkish life.
So Young Turkey" as the move
ment has always been called, began
and continued to grow in organiza-
ton and Importance. Young Tur-
key is not party nor are all it's ad-
herents young men. 1t is move
ment, movement to rejuvenate Tur-
key, movement through which a
new political and economic life is to
be built up, a movement of protest
against all the rottenness which ex-
listed in the Turkish Empire. In
Turkey itself, it grew especially
among the army officers. Tt was an
organization composed of the upper
middle class, the class which has the
superior position in the army, the
class which is in control of large
business interests, and from which
under normal conditions, the higher
positions in the government could be
filled. In their political program,
the Young Turks demanded a parlia-
ment and a constitution, responsible
government and popular elections.
The revival of the Constitution of
1876 would have satisfied them, as
they are liberal and nationalistic in
their views
Their method of organization was
to have small groups of not more
than five, this limit being imposed to
lessen the danger of exposure. Each
of these groups had a representative
upon a central committee for the re-
spective province. The central COM
mittee of the Empire was located at
Salonica, in Macedonia These COM
1n1 Ill
formal organization, because should
their existence be discovered, it
would go hard with the individuals
who would be found at the head,
whereas, if all were on an equality,
it would be far more difficult for the
Government to punish them. This
explains the adoption of very dem
ocratic form of organization.
Tt was among the Macedonian
troops that the movement made spe-
cial Roadway. Macedonia had been
lately put under an international
commission. The Turks continued to
govern but subject to the direction
of a European commission. There
fore, here the conditions of disinte-
grafton were especially evident and
the Turks could see the inevitable
effect of MISC government.
We of the outside world had for
some time heard of the movement,
but being SO accustomed to the ap-
parently hopeless conditions, we
thought the reform party so abso-
1utely in the minority that little
could be expected from them. Sup
posing that they should attempt
revolution, they would fall an easy
prey before the strength of the ex-
listing organized Government The
events of the last year from July on,
have shown how little the world real
lied the true character and strength
of the young Turkish" movement.
The revolution in July was unexpect-
ed and came about somewhat by
chance An officer in Macedonia,
prominent Young Turk, was sum-
moned to Constantinople. He knew
what this summons meant and fled
to a fellow officer for protection.
The troops, Differed by men in SYM
pathy with the new movement, re-
sisted his arrest, and the revolution
was on. The Sultan's camarilla was
taken absolutely by surprise. The
members of the clique were at their
wits end and they speedily gave up
the battle to the young Turks.
The constitution was revived, cleo
lions were ordered; suddenly Tur-
key had become constitutional gov
eminent. 1t is important that we