The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-02-10
BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.

COnStantlnOple.-At the back OF
every movement must be men. The
transformation of Turkey from
medieval absolutism to a constitu.
tional government was not wrought
without human agencies. Who did 1t?
At the time Of the constitution and
the revolution there were stories Of a
romantic secret committee In Paris,
with chief possessed of greater
stateslaanship and moro dictatorial
powers than any crowned head In
Europe. The present Paris commit
tee is disgruntled and in opposition,
and 1t is rather generally admitted
that there was considerable romano
ing about the original committee.
Admittedly the Young Turk move
ment was bit Of successful oppor-
tunism. Its leaders were quick to
take advantage of favorable events,
which Is certainly nothing to their dis
credit. The men were ready for their
chance when it came.
A German on Top.
But now, after the lapse of many
months, who is the top man in Tur.
key? Amid all the personalities here,
which one towers above all others?
1t is none other than Baron von Bee
berstein, the German ambassador.
One searches in vain for this omnis-
scient, omnipotent Young Turk of
whom we read so much at the time of
the passing Of the old order. Instead,
he finds behind the forces at work
here this shrewd old diplomat, the
ablest In Europe, who has within a
year recovered all the prestige That
the German cause lost with the fall of
Abdul Hamid.
In domestic affairs, as well1sn III
foreign relationships the hand i voa
Beeberstein may be trSced by those
whose business It IL tQ'know the in
wafdness Of current events here. Since
this wise old German is an extra
Turkish personality, perhaps 1t is not
fair to consider him in looking for the
most influential figure In the present
regime. ~.
A Glimpse Of the Sultan.
1t Is easier to say who this man Is
not than who he is. First of ALL It
Is not the suite" He may be elm
mated at the outset. A high diplomat
who has had to converse with the
present sultan says that the ordeal
Is like talking to a wooden man. One
encounters various terms In the dip
lomatic circles to describe the nonen-
tity of Mohammed v. Doubtless,
many Of these are exaggerated. like the
stories of his devotion to, the flow
ing bowl. The sultan sees no for
eigners, but anybody may see him at
the Selamlik-the weekly function
when he goes to the mosque to pray.
With Abdul Hamid, this was an or
deal to be dreaded, and he sat cover
ing In his carriage in coat of mail.
Apparently his brother is glad to have
this weekly outing, for the poorest
hamal that tOtters over the Galata
bridge beneath his monstrous load,
sees more Of life than does his Royal
Highness. He likes the pomp of the
lines Of soldiers who line the high
way for the short distance from the
paiaCe 10 the mosque.
These soldiers are part of the mod
ern army; on the whole, well armed
and fairly well set up. Along with
them one sees the archaic. red.hel-
meted fire brigade, with the long
leather guards at the back of their
helmets. The lancers, who are the
sultans bodyguard, are plainly Mongo.
lian. and fine fellows they appear. The
sultan. himself, stares at the crowds
az the crowds stare at him, or as q
countryman gazes at the circus. He
wears fez, and but one decoration on
his breast Ills Iace 10 weak, Win
pu1s under the eyes. His beard is grey
and rather close cropped. He looks
for all the world like the tyne of ge-
nial old New England neer-do-well.
whom one may see summing himself
outside the house. or sitting on q
cracker box In the corner store, while
his wife runs the family affairs.
The day l saw the sultan an Amer
lean girl In the carriage next mine
vas aiming camera at him. He
was attracted by the fresh young fig-
ure. and obligingly turned his face
toward her and smiled-and then
kept on smiling and craning his neck
toward her like a gay old firt. 1t was
not very dignified or royal, but 1t was
decidedly revealing. especially when
one remembers that this man Is "K.::s
Of kings" Commander OF the Faith
full" and THE Shadow of God on
Earth Incidentally, he is political
cipher.
The Frieoner Of Salonica.
Nor IL Abdul Hamid any longer q
oseible factor in Turkish affairs.
Wild rumors fly around occasionally
of his escape from his Imprisonment.
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