The Washington herald., 1913-05-03
Court Gossip of Interesting
Events on THO Continents

Many REFORMS were the result. and in
that position the indefatigabIe Pasha
showed the stun he was made of. In
1906 ne saw active service for the first
time. The Macedonian rebellion Of
that year found the Turkish military
authorities unprepared.
One band of 1000 rebels resolved tn
capture Adrianopie. With little support
from headquarters Shurki gathered all
his available troops with lightning speed
and executing what would have been
considered a two days march over rough
roads in twelve hours took the rebels by
surprise and taught them a severe lesson
He was thanked by the Sultan in
strange fashion by being exiled still
farther away. His success had stirred
up his enemies in the Yildiz Kiosk. who
persuaded the Sultan to send him to
Salonki.
But 1t was a curious revenge which
Shukr1 Pasha obtained. The year 1898
dawned and with il the earliest evil
dences Of the Young Turk movement
From Monastir and from the Kossovo
vialayet ominous reports reached Abdul
Hamid. who was anxious to ascertain
what really was happening DISTRESSING
all his favorftes. he bethought himself
of Shukri Pasha as the only man ON
whom he could rely.
or course, Shukri had no power to
thwart the plans of the Unionists. but
he saw their strength, and was certain
OF their success. He advised the Sui
tan to restore the constitution, and ii
was the advice of Shurki Pasha which
caused Abdul Hamid to bow to what was
then undoubtedly the will OF the Turkish
people. however much the movement
and its leaders have gone astray since
then. Again Shukri was badly treated
by those to whom he had rendered serv-
ice He made easy the way before the
Young Turks but perhaps the reason
for their cold-shouldering him at the
moment of their victory was that an
honest. straightforward man was out Of
place in the ranks of schemers and hypo-
crits.
1t is well known that when discussing
the nations military affairs with a COL
league he declared: TN my opinion the
invasion of politics into the army is driv-
ing IL to ruin. In the hands of the
Young Turks the Turkish army is lost
This shows how clearly Shukri foresaw
what was coming.
When the war broke out the military
authorities did at least one right thing
They sent Shukri Pasha to AdrianopIe
He reached that place four DAYS before
the Bulgarians began to sweep down
upon it. Soon they encircled the CITY
Family the guns of Kirk Kilisse sound
ed: fainter were those deciding Iule
Burgas- Messages came from Constan-
tinople telling Shukri that there was no
hope of his being relieved. And he re-
piled that there was no danger of his
hauling down the flag prematurely. BY
means of two attacks the Bulgarians
sought to draw tighter the ring of trench
and cannon they had thrown round
Adrianople. Both Were driven back. and
the stubborn ring of Turkish forts re-
manned intact. Starvation came nearer
with relentless tread. While the attempt
was made to conclude peace. Adrianople
had the fierce foe of hunger to keep
at bay. Then the war was renewed:
Adrianople was to be reduced in week.
yet through the weeks it held out.
The weary watch is over; but as Shukri
and his comrades look their last upon
the fortress they defended so mag
nificently, we'll may their eyes flash
with the light of victory. All the world
will honor them and their gallantry.
They held out as long as it was humanity
possible. FLANEUR.