The Detroit times., 1911-11-04
GAY THRONGS SEEN IN
TURKEY DESPITE WAR.
Sultan, However. Realizes GRAY
ity of Situation-Word-
Picture of Him.


New York World correspondent was
today admitted TO the royal palace OF
Dolma- Bachtche. the favorite resi-
dence OF Mehmed v. where he re-
ceived, through the First Chamber
lain, the sultan's acknowledgment OF
the message OF sympathy sent him by
the American people:
His Imperial Highness Is deep
~ sensible of the support OF the
American nation in this unhappy
crisis in the affairs OF the Turk
ish people
Since ltaly's utimatum. when the
Grand Vizier Hakki Pasha, present
ed himself a Dolma- Bachtche TO hand
in his resignation, the seXagenerian
ruler OF Turkey has denied audience
TO all hut his ministers and ENJOYS OF
foreign powers. The evening con-
certs al the palace have been discon-
tinued. and the Selamlik, or visit 10
the royal mosque ordinarily an occa-
sion OF much pomp. was this week
comparatively simple affair
But the life of Constantinople APP
pears TO flow on as usual. lis cafes
are thronged with placid mocha
drinkers. to whom the threatened loss
Of valuable province seems mat
ter OF Indifference; but no one knows
better than Mehmed V. how little de-
pendence is TO b. placed on the appar-
ent calm The loss OF Tripoli Is only
one phase of the desperate situation
i'm Turkish affairs, and any day may
see the streets OF Turkeys capital
flowing again with revolutionary
blood The successor OF Abdul Hamid
has known enough vicissitude 10 in
spire anxiety as TO what the day may
bring forth.
Dolma- Bachtche marvel OF east
ern architecture. with its long marble
facade, its pleasure grounds and eX-
quisite site ON the Bosphorus, should
have anything hat agreeable sonXen-
IRIS for it's royal inmate IL was
there that he was for thirty years a
captive, a victim of fraternal tyran-
ny, beset with spies while every eff
fort was made 20 degenerate mis- char
acter and fix on him the habit or
drinking mastika, the most deadly OF
native liquors II should not be sur
prising IL half a life time so passed
has resulted in an ineffective. easily
influenced ruler.
The difficulties in the way or audi
ences with the sultan have increased
since representative OF English
journalism recently gave vent 10 In
discreet utterances on his personality.
Since then all the embassies have
been instructed that applications Tor
journalistic interviews with the sultan
will be distasteful
Mehmed V. has been called "the
smiling monarch Unlike his broth
en- now prisoner y, villa at Salonica.
he has Democratic tendencies. His
inclination is 10 do away with much
of the tedious ceremonials OF Orlen-
tai lands. When he appears In public
he always graciously acknowledges
the homage OF his people; nor does he
voluntarily stay at home, as his
brother did He is fond OF travel
and last year he went 10 Nicomedia,
Broussa and Albania. On these jour
news public deputations as we'll as
priyate appeals never found Mehmed
V. difficult of approach
Whereas Abdul Hamid enjoyed
yearly income of 100000 Turkish
rounds. MehmeA ", by his own wish.
receives only 10000. large part OF
which goes I'm donations. After the
Albanian instruction. during which
hundreds OF homes we're burned by
his soldiers. he gave from his private
rocket $50. 900 pounds 10 the home
less. Gifts OF from 5000 to 10000
pounds TO charity are OF frequent oc-
currence with him. On the day or my
visit 10 the palace he had just made a
donation OF $50 pounds TO the Presi-
dent OF the Red Crescent society.
After the great Constantinople fire he
bestowed on the city 1000 pounds for
rebuilding purposes.
Abdul Hands harem was compos'
ed OF 476 women, gathered from all
parts OF his realm. Mehmed's Is very
much smaller.
The sultan is much interested IN
the educational advance OF his king
dom. and Is particularly kind TO
school children During his trip TO
Albania he was greeted at one village
bv a deputation OF boys and girls. lie
gave 10 pounds TO little girl VINO
offered him a bouquet, and ordered
that an Albanian boy who had pleased
him by his simple appeal be sent to
Constantinople TO be educated.
Mehmed shows himself seldom In
public outside the weekly visits TO
the various mosques. the yearly PHI
grimage 10 the shrine where Ma
hornets tunic is preserved, the occa'
sional provincial tours, and now and
then attendance al certain ceremonies
OF general character. One OF his
favorite diversions Is to drift down
the Bosphorus in the royal barge.
accompanied by one OF his four legal
wives or the favorites OF his haFem'
The sultan's children, owing TO the
laws OF succession in Turkey, will
have no claim 10 the throne. AS II
stands now it will go at death to the
eldest son OF Abdul Hamid. who occu-
pies HIS own part of the palace or
Dolma- Bachtche.