The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-01-23
BY Ex-ATTACHE

BY EX-ATTACHE.
Turkeys new premier. Hakki Bey. has
many American friends Indeed, he is
the first grand vizler of the sublime
porte in all the history of the Ottoman
empire to have enjoyed the educational
advantages of residence in the United
States. having represented his govern
ment in this country as commissioner
general at Chicago throughout the Co
-iumbia Worlds Fair
He availed himself Of the opportunity
to visit many Of the big cities on this
side OF the Atlantic. made the acquaint-
ance Of a number of leading men in
many different walks Of American life,
and has ever since manifested very
warm admiration and sympathy for the
United States and everything American.
Moreover. he has a perfect command Of
the English language, and, al things
considered, his appointment to the pre-
miership at COnstantinOple cannot but
contribute to the promotion Of better
understanding and Of friendlier relations
between the United states and Turkey.
Haiku, who is a man just this side Of
fifty years of age, and who for the last
nine months has been filling the office Of
Ambassador at Rome, enjoys the we'll
deserved reputation Of being the most
able lawyer OF the Ottoman empire. He
was for a number Of years the principal
legal adviser to the departmental for
eign affairs at STEAMBOAT. where he &C
CURED the practice OF tempering his ju-
diclal view Of pending issues with respect
for considerations OF diplomacy and
statecraft. after the fashion Of some OF
the most successful Secretaries Of State
at Washington.
Unless I am much mistaken. this is the
first occasion Of a lawyer being appoint
cd grand vizier. and the innovation is re-
garded as Of happw augury, especially in
view Of the existing circumstances and
difficulties For Of the many questions
now pending between the porte and the
powers-questions affecting not only the
foreign relations. hut likewise the inter
nal administration and economy Of the
empire-there is not one but what viii
derive benefit from being c0nhded Tor
treatment TO q statesman so versed IN in
ternational law and diplomacy az Haiku
| Boy.
OF the breadth OF view acquired during
| his stay in America and in the years that
he spent in England in a consular ca
pacity an illustration may be found in
the declaration which he made during
his term Of Office as minister Of the IN
| terror Of the new regime. when he ex-
| pressed his hope for the early obiitera-
/ tion Of all the racial differences which so
long hindered the development Of his
! country. In our Parliament" he de-
| clared, there win be no Turkish, Ar
menian Greek. Jew. or Macedonian dep
Uties. They will all be Ottomans."
| His conception Of constitutionaIism IS
that of the English-speaking rather than
Of the Latin and Teuton nationalities.
He is keenly alive 10 the prerogatives of
the ministers OF state and also 20 those
/ OF Parliament. and before consenting 70
| accept the Office Of grand vizier insisted
that not only should he be permitted 70
select the colleagues forming the cabinet
/ OF which he had now become president
| but also that IN his relations with Par
lament there should be no interference
whatsoever by the s0-called committee
Of union and progress.
This committee has. in conjunction with
I Mahmoud Shefket Pasha, the generals
| simo. been exercising dictatorial powers
| ever since the accession to the throne OF
the present Sultan, very much IN the
same manner as the Military League al
| Athens has been doing with regard tC
| the government Of GreeCe-that is TO say,
the committee Of union and progress
| composed Of Young Turk leaders. have
been making and unmaking premiers and
ministers and directing the Sultan. and
even Parliament, what to do and what
not to do without any right OF warrant
| beyond those which they had usurped.
In fact. this more or less occult and
totally nonoficial body had ended by
mouopOlizing all power and authority
without any responsibility. bringing par
| liamentary government in Turkey into
ridicule and creating distrust not only
| abroad, but also at home, in the much
! Wanted constitutional reforms. Thus il
| has forced four grand viziers from office
within the space Of twelve months and
Just before Christmas compelled the Par
| lament 20 stulufy itself by repeating al
most unanimously a measure which II
| had voted by an equally large majority
less than twenty-four hours previously.