The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1909-05-21


of Europe" ever at the point of pO
pitical death, nevertheless for thirty
three years played the powers against
each other with consummate skill
land kept most of his tottering en-
ipire intact. He is a man Of many
contradictions and little understood
lone of the most bitterly hated men
in all Europe. among the common
people Of Turkey he is popular His
name has long been a synonym for
bloodshed and unspeakable cruelty.
He has been held directly responsible
for some of the most appalling mas
sacres in history. Yet in his private
life he is often conslderate toward his
associates and gentle in his manner,
almost to the point Of effeminacy.
Traditionally believed TO be an indo-
lent. whimsical voluptuary, he is in
reality almost ascetic in his tastes
and mode OF life, and has worked un-
eeasingly eighteen hours a day for
what he believed was the good Of his
people. He ascended the throne at
a time when the constitutional spirit
was rife; he became a reactionary of
the reactionaries, despot of the
most absolute type. He was a repre-
sentative of the conservative Mahom-
etan party and revived the pretence
to the headship of Islam. All in all,
according to the traditions of his
race. he has ruled we'll At least all
critics agree on one thing-there is
in all Europe no more able man and
energetic ruler than Abdul Hamid II.
The former Sultan is one Of those
rare men who manages large affairs
successfully, without counsel. He
has no real confidants He dares not
have. The arch-intriguer among a
nation Of intriguers, there are few
whom he can trust. Thus the vast
details of his realm pass through his
hands and keep him chained unceas-
1ngly to task which those who know
him believe is ever an irksome duty.
He has been enabled to play this diff
fcult part by an uncomfortable will
and remarkable self-control. 1t is
said he never allows himself to be-
known to raise his voice. even -in
times of greatest stress.
No Sultan probably has ever ruled
Turkey through a period Of greater
and with less ability Abb
dul Hamid would doubtless have
seen his empire fall to pieces.
On his accession to the throne, in |
1876, the war with Russia was i'm
pending. Defeat was inevitable. |
There was a growing insurrection in
Bosnia and Herzegovina. Servia had
declared war, and Russia |
was fomenting rebellion in other
tributary States. The party Of Young |
Turkey, under Midhat Pacha, had |
obtained a constitution and was at
to establish parliamentary |
government and throw off European
control just at a time when the aid |
Of the powers was most needed. The
promises of reform failed and the
revolt in Bulgaria was crushed with
the utmost savagery. AS result,
the powers were alienated and for
the time gave Russia free hand.
In April. 1877. the Car declared
war, and his armies nearly reached
Constantinople before he was checked
BY the jealousies Of the other pow
srs. The Sultan made surprisingly
good terms of peace, however, by
the Treaty of San Stefano, which
we're modified still more in his favor
40 ~ in tun arc |
Bter. Nevertheless, Turkey lost her
asst vestige of authority over Monte
negro, Servia and Roumania, gave
lp all real sovereignty in Bulgaria,
Bosnia and Herzegovina and lost
ome territory in Asia Minor. The
sultan was bound by the treaty to
introduce certain reforms in the
Christian provinces.
Peace once assured from without,
However, Abdul Hamid adopted his
policy Of reaction. He abolished the
built up a system of
,pies and established a loyal body
guard The promised reforms were
not made. Surrounded by dissen-
ions, political and religious, he de-
Ioted his power to retaining his
hrone and keeping the empire to-
,ether. He has succeeded in present.
ny a strong front TO his neighbors
md maintaining peace during the
most of his reign. He has played
races and sects against one another
within his borders as he juggled ma
ions without. And so he has fought
The old established organism of cor
ruption within and the eager nations
waiting to despoil the pos
sessions of the Sick Man.
The Armenian massacres OF 1895
and 1896 were laid at the door of
the Sultan. Whether he directly fos-
tered them is not known. At any
rate, the signatory powers of the |
Treaty of Berlin were aroused to |
action, but international relations |
were so complicated at that time that |
the Sultan was able to eee.de all de- |