The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1910-05-26
YOUNG TURKS LOSING GROUND
Americans See Little Improvement in
Turkey Under New Ruler and
Other Political Troubles are Elk
pected.
By Louis H. Limper

wednesday, the tWenty-SeVenth OIL
April was the first anniversary of the
accession to the throne of Mehmet V
Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. Nat
urally the day reminded one of the
conditions prevailing in the city and
throughout the empire a year ago. It
recalled the massacre of about fifty
young Turk officers; the week or ten
days of trying uncertainty which fol-
lowed, when one felt that the dreadful
conditions of the regime had returned;
the threatened massacre of all Christ
ians in the city including the foreign
residents; the arrival of the young
Turk army from Salonica during the
night when the massacre was to take
place; the bombardment of some of the
barracks in the city whose soldiers re-
manned faithful to the Sultan; the re-
storation of order and confidence
brought about by the presence of the
young Turk army in the city and the
establishment of martial law; the de-
position of Abdul Hamid and the ac-
cession of the present Sultan and the
public execution Of the leaders of the
lreactionary movement
Looking back upon all these events
there was certainly ample occasion for
festivity and rejoicing. At noon all
the government Offices and most of the
/ places of business closed their doors,
but the real celebration did not take
place till evening. Constantinople be-
ing the capitol of rather belligerent
empire all national celebrations par
take of military nature, and so
military parade took place in the. even.
ing, the soldiers carrying torches in
stead of guns. This is said to have
been the first torch light procession
ever held in Constantinople. AS the
fcity is still under martial law the use
of fireworks and other explosives on
the part of private citizens was
strictly forbidden and the law was we'll
obeyed. However, the munio'ne''4-
had great pyrotechnic"
public square on the shore -
Bosphorus and the gun boats in the har-
Dor fred several rounds. But the
most attractive feature of the celebra-
ton was the illumination of the many
palaces and gardens along the water
ffront. These illuminations consisted
of myriads of candle and oil lanterns
hung in artistic designs on frame works
erected for that purpose. The writer
counted more than a thousand in front
of one palace alone. Probably the
most beautifully Illuminated palace and
garden was that of the mother of the
Khedive of Egypt, who spends the sum
mers in Constantinople. This palace
is in one of the fashionable suburbs of
the city, near the grounds of Robert
College. Though by no means the
most beautiful palace along the
Bosphorus it attracts the attention and
admiration Of tourists because of its
beautiful Situation and individual ar
chitecture.
As part of the celebration of the
day the Khedivia invited the people of
1.-THE village to her garden where an or
lchestra and singers rendered oriental
music while refreshments consisting of
unfermented grape juice, Egyptian CT
garettes and Turkish coffee were pass
ed around. Hundreds of people of all
nationalities, religions and creeds were
present and shared alike the bounties of
this magnaminous woman. Turkish
women are not permitted on the streets
after shutdown but on occasions like
this exceptions are made and they were
present in large numbers, portion of
the garden being set apart for the
harem.
Turkey has now had almost two wears
of constitutional government and. for
one year liberal minded sultan has
been on the throne, but yet we look
in vain for any great changes in the
empire. Territorially the country has
lost. First, Bulgaria and Eastern
Roumelia, and then, Bosnia and Her
zogovina; and now, the troubles in AL
bania may result in autonomy in AL
province. What the outcome of the
Cretan question will be still remains
to be seen. The admission of Christ
ians into the army has, Of course.
strengthened it and the navy also has
been put into better condition. Other
wise little has been done. Practically
no concessions have been granted. Con
stantinople, a city Of more than mil
lion inhabitants is still without tele-
phones, electric lights or electric cars.
The young Turk party no longer has
any definite policy and is losing power
and influence. What the course of
events will be during the next year is
not at all certain, but we shall hope
that the breath of liberty whiehathe
people have drawn has been so sweet