Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-11-12
STORY OF THE TURKS
An Empire that Has Long Been Used
"a War

Il
Turkish empire y recital of series
Of conflicts, both internal and external,
which, because Of their bitterness and
| frequency, are unique in the history of
the world. A large share Of the trou-
BILE has been due to an incompatible
and cosmopolitan population, the COM
ponent parts Of which have had but
scant religious tolerance for one an
other.
| Appearing first in history at the be-
ginning Of the thirteenth century, the
| Ottoman Turks extended their empire
by successful conquests until 1t reached
| from the frontier Of Germany to the
| frontier Of Persia. In 1927 small band
of them, having been driven from their
Central Asian homes by the Mongol
| invasion, had secured a concession Of
land from the sultan Of Konia and had
settled down with Ertoghrul as their
leader.
They early showed great military
prowess, and as the tribe grew new ter
ritory was continually added. Advan-
tage was taken Of the weakening
Greeks and many lands were wrested
from them.
The middle of the fourteenth century
saw an allied army of Serbs, Hunga-
rians, Walachians and Moldavians de-
feated by Murad I, leader Of the Turks,
with an army but one-sixth as large as
his adversaries. Soon after Servia was
forced to pay tribute Of money and
troops. Meanwhile other new prov
inces were added to the empire through
advantageous marriages.
In 1402 the growing empire received
its first setback when its army met
with a crushing defeat at Angora.
Twenty years were consumed in re-
gaining lost territory and the steady
advance was resumed.
The reign of Suleiman the Magnifi-
cent, 1520-1566, marked the zenith Of
the Ottoman power. After him no
leader acceded to the throne who was
stronge enough to subdue rebellion in
the provinces and soon outside powers
became involved. In 1859 Russia made
a successful invasion while the Turks
were hampered by instructions In
Morea, Syria and Egypt. A treaty was
signed in 1774, disadvantageous to the
Ottoman empire but better than fur
ther disaster.
The occupation Of Egypt by Bona
parte resulted in war with France in
1898. And meanwhile the greatest in
ternal disorder and turmoil prevailed
in almost every Ottoman province. The
oppression by local governors impov-
erished the people and caused them to
revolt. The national treasury was de-
pleted and there was every sign of
rapidly approaching disintegration.
The war for freedom waged by the
Greeks was followed by another con-
fiict with Russia, which again proved
the wonderful resisting power Of the
Turks. In 1880 Greek independence
was established.
Abdul-Mejid, who ruled from 1889
1861, instituted a drastic reform es-
tablishing the equality Of all his sub
jects and insuring them fairer treat
ment than they had been receiving
from the local governors by centraliz-
ing the government There was re-
organization not only In the admins
tration but also In the army. Schools
and courts of justice were established
and regular relations with foreign pow
ers were entered into. These reforms
put the empire on it's feet once more.
Russia watched the rebuilding Of the
Ottoman empire uneasily, and finally
took religion as a cause for a quarrel.
The Crimean war resulted. Because of
the threatened intervention Of Austria,
Emperor Alexander II, was forced to
sign the treaty Of Paris in 1858. This
put the Ottoman empire on an equal
footing with other European nations
and it went bankrupt almost at once.
In 1877 Russia declared war again,
and when the treaty Of San Stefano
was signed one year later Turkey was
forced to recognize the independence OF
Rumania, Servia and Montenegro, to
pay war indemnity and make other
important concessions.
The three following decades were
marked with troubles in Egypt, Arme-
MIA, Greece, Arabia and Macedonia.
Statewide massacres were Of frequent
occurrence. But in 1908 the Young
Turks began to make their influence
felt.
A revolution was brought about by
the Young Turks almost without blood
shed. They raised the standard Of re-
volt on July %, 1908, and two days
later the sultan yielded to their de-
mands. The constitution Of 1876 was
restored, a chamber Of deputies was
elected, the spy system and censorship
were abolished and other reforms
brought about.
After the first fervor of enthusiasm
had subsided the Young Turks found
themselves confronted with many Of
the old difficulties in the governing Of
the empire. Local disturbances finally
resulted in the disposition Of Abdul
Hamid II. in 1909. He was succeeded
by his younger brother. Mahommed
Reshad Effendi, with the style Of Ma
hommed V. But still the trouble con-
tinued and at last brought about the
present war
The Balkan allies assert that Turkey
has not lived up to the provisions of
the treaty Of Berlin, signed in 1878, by
which the Ottoman empire was forced
to recognize the independence Of
Montenegro, Servia and Rumania. The
Balkan states maintain that they have
been continually oppressed by their old
enemy.