The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-01

Well first I do not believe that the Bal
kan difficulties viii end for another year
/ There viii be lots OF chickering's but in
the end the European powers. which
have such vast business interests at stake
in Turkey, and need security for their
money. viii see that Turkey does not
get the worst Of the settlement. although
we all recognize that Turkeys so years
| reign in Europe is over
No Real Business in Europe
But for years the Turkish wise heads
have believed that this result was inepi-
table and that the Turks never had any
real business in Europe. The Turkish
leaders expressed this belief to me years
ago. based purely on the fact that the
Turk was essentially Asiatic and never
would have come to Europe had not the
Greeks been so worn out by the long
crusades.
For years a.stute TURKS tave recog-
nzed that European Turkey was not a
paying invs stment. and aside from the
temporary Joss of political prestige, l be-
lieve they really do not regret being
forced to build their future greatness IN
Asia.
There they have territory as vast
almost as all Europe and so ancient that
one could almost call it virgin. It con-
tans probably the richest mineral depos-
its and oil region in the world. Much of
has the greatest opportunity presented
to any nation in modern times.
1T is true that the Turks have been
under despodc rule for SO many centuries
that they are like children III governing
themselves which is one reason for the
corruption and stasnation that have ex-
listed so plainly In the government and
the army in the Balkan war
4 believe that in the plans for rehabil
itation the government will consent to
employ foreigners as advisers in every
department. These foreign advisers will
remain until the Turks tare able to so
alone.
I do not think that the young Turk gov
ernment will last much longer than the
nnal declaration of peace, but I believe
II is necessary now. for it is giving a
strict military rule
Until peace is adjusted financial ques-
tions must remain unsettled but | believe
that after the adjustment there will be
less turbulent changes than heretofore
and more liberal government will he in
augurated.
Abdul Hamid Praised
Il know that everybody is interested in
that great, mysterious figure of the old
regime, eX-Snltan Abdul Hamid. | ex-
pect to him as soon as l return, for
he expressed a wish to have me visit him
a few weeks ago. Probably no man in
modern history has had so little truth and
so many lies printed concerning him. He
is pictured as a physical wreck and
moral coward. Nothing could be further
from the truth He is now GS years old.
and although he had a long period of i'll
health, he is now completely recovered.
lie is very comfortable and happy in
Constantinople
when he was Sultan those surround
ing him constantly pictured to him that
his life was in danger. That idea be-
came an obsession but he was far from
being afraid-not he. This was we'll illus
trated ON the occasion when bomb was
thrown at him several years ago while he
was driving to the mosque.
81 was in attendance in the procession.
The bomb killed seven persons close to
the royal carriage. Every one was
stunned with fright except Abdul Hamid
who arose in his carriage with face be-
traying no emotion. and in voice posi-.
tivelyy cold gave orders for clearing away
the Bodies that the carriage might pro-
ceed, and raised his hands to quell the
excitement in the crowd.
"He firmly believed that he would meet
violent end, but he did not fear 1t. l.
think now that he is glad that he is no
longer Sultan and may die in his bed He
was surely a despot but at the same time
a great man..