The new South-news., 1909-02-13


pears a remarkable article on the Sui
sonal observations and Of private
knowledge II gives the reader such
picture of the cruel and absolute
rule Of the Suhan as has never before
! appeared When one has read this ar
ticle one can understand ~hy the young
Turks (ihe liberaisj have risen up IN
their might and demanded reforms
Nicholas G. Adossldes, the author
OF the article. was for some years an
attache OF the Turkish Foreign Office.
He presens his own impressions Of
the Sultan. his government. the palace
officials and the political system Of the
Ottoman Empire. He Is the youngest
son Of the late Adossides Pasha.
Greek Of Byzanrium, who for foriy-six
years was a high official under four
Sultans. being successfully Governor
OF Crete. Prince Of Samos. Minister OF
Interior. Imperial Commissioner OF
Roumania, and Envoy Extraordinary
10 the Dalmatian Provinces. Adossides
Pasha. because Of his liberal views.
Hamid, and he and his family were
subjected to espionage for some years.
On his return from the Island Of Sa-
mos, his last position, he fell into dis
grace with his autocratic and unscrup-
ulous master. His son, the author OF
THIS article. was al the time OF his con-
nection with the Foreign Office forced
n loo IF fc Je,v
In Paris and In London he has appear
ed both on the platform and in the
press as a champion of Turkish free
dom. The article was written Just be-
fore the recent enforced proclamation
by the Sultan Of the restoration OF
the constitution.
Following is one OF the numerous
interesting passages:
The Sultan is full OF dissimulated OBJ
stinacy, and only yields to force. with
The secret intention Of getting back
later what he is compelled temporarily
to abandon. He is never at a loss for
expedients, is deep calculator, and
knows admirably how to escape dan
gers by strategems that are always
new. lie is skiIful layer of traps. and
capable of all kinds of abjectness to-
ward his enemies when he fears them
and OF the greatest severity when he
has them in his power. and his ven
geance is the heavier for having been
patiently nourished in secret.
Not only is the life Of a man who
Is troublesome TO him Of little account.
I,tt 1.A A.
soothe his shattered nerves. always
stretched to the swapping point. AT
night. before going TO Sleep one OF his
chamberlains told my brother, he has
some one read to him. His favorite
books are those giving detailed ac-
counts Of assassinations and execu-
|. tons. The stories of crimes excite
him and prevent him sleeping. but as
soon as his reader reaches a passage
where punishment falls upon the Grim
inal the Sultan Immediately becomes
calm and falls asleep
Another instance which illustrates
the fear and suspicion, as well as the
extreme cruelty of the man. for his self
protection, was narrated to me several
years ago by an aide-de-camp of the
Sultan. on duty in the palace at the
time Of the occurrence. His Majes-
ty. said my informant, had recently
added TO his harem Circassian
odalisque about sixteen years OF age
and of remarkable beauty Among the
hundreds of women OF the palace this
| girl soon became the fayorite and priv
ilegee, and in her his Majesty seem
ed to place the greatest confidence,
so that she could enter his room un-
announced and at her pleasure. One
evening she entered as usual, and, find
ing his Majesty asleep. she examined
the various bric-a-brac scattered here
and there. her attention being particu-
larly attracted by "A jeweled pistol
which was lying on table AT this
point the Sultan suddenly opening his
eyes, asked with apparent calm: What
are you doing?'
Nothing, your Majesty replied the
girl.
But you are looking at some
thing. the Sultan insisted.
Yes. sire--it is so pretty-this.'
And what do you call that object p
Apistol,' answered the favorite.
And what is a pistol used for?'
TO kill, SIRE replied the Crcas-
sian In a low and trembling voice.
ITO kip said the despot TO
killg' he repeated. Let me see,' and
picking up another pistol which he
had on his person he fired three times,
fatally injuring the innocent girl
THE officer who told me this story
was on duty in the corridors as he.
body. covered with rug. was silent
ly carried through the doors"