Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-11-19
THE SICK MAN OF EUROPE
the Days Best Cartoons.

accession TO power OF the Young TurkH
One Of the countless intrigues that go
often changed the government OF Tur-
Key took place In 1876, and resulted In
the deposition of Sultan Abdul Aziz,
who committed suicide Immediately
afterward. His nephew, Murad V.
ruled for few months. but soon
showed his incapaclty, ana yielded his
place to his brother, Abdul Hamid IL,
who ruled from 1876 to 1909. Abdul
lfamid granted u limited constitution,
but almost before 1t had Sonc into eff
feet the war with Russia broke out,
and absolutism ruled for thirty years.
During the reign Of Abdul Aziz tho
Young Turks were drst heard from
Prince Mustaffa I9asha took several
Young Turks from Constantinoplc TO
arts TO be educated. and In the French
capital they attracted considerable at
tention. being commonly called "the
young Turks" until the appellation
grew into title, which was later
officially adopted. They soon absorbed
ideas OF liberty and democracy, hither-
To unknown in Turkey, which were
partly carried out In that country by
their followers after the revolution OF
'eS-9. IL was about the same period
II these Young Turks became promi-
"ent in Paris that German influence
began to be predominant In Turkey
Unit! 1880 British subjects had held
the majority OF the railway and other
public concessions, but In the next fve
years there was n change, In which,
these concessions were taken away
from the British and given to the Ger
mans. German influence has steadily
gained. and was one OF the prominent
causes for Turkey being drawn into
the present war.
While the Young Turks By no means
succeeded In making n democracy out
Of Turkey, they achieved some notable
reforms in the administration. In tenn
poral matters the sultan is constitu-
titonal monarch. advised by n cabinet OF
executive ministers. For administra-
tive purposes tho country Is divided In
to provinces, with subdivisions OF ar
rondissements, cantons and communes
each with n separate head. The army
has been reformed, so that il is much
more effective. and the navy. while
small. is fairly ably commanded and
manned. The changes which are tho
most noticeable to the casual observer
are the practical abolition OF petty
graft, With which the empire used to
te oyerrun. and certain great improve
ments OF roads and waterways.
Ten years ago II was impossible 20
journey from one part Of Turkey to
another without being provided with n
teskerch. or sort of passport. furnish
cd by the local authorities Now ali
that is needed is II passport to enter
n
have TO prove who lie is before buying
a railroad ticket. or make sure OF get
ting accommodations on the train by
means OF bribing all the officials in
sight. 1t has not been many years since
1t was UNSAFE TO travel In Turkey out
side Constantinople because OF robbers
ana brisands, who infested all tho
smaller roads Zaptiehs. or Turkish
soldiers, had 10 be used for guards
ana even bribed 10 prevent their sur
rendering the traveller over to the
robbers. These zaptiehs only received
nominal sum from the government,
and seldom were paid that. Now they
are really paid sl3 month and are
not allowed to take tips
Until the past Few years there have
been no roads in Turkey worthy OF
the name. About the time of the out.
break OF the Balkan war; however,
there was constructed Il main high
way along the Euphratcs from Aleppo
to Hagdad. and another from the city
of Samsun on the Black Sea to Bitlis
and Diabekir. The same reformation
mas seen an Improvement In the po-
lice, the army and small officials OF
the government. The pay OF the SOL
diers is small, but they receive it reg
nlarly, and discipline has been inn
proved. Beginning with 1911. Chris
tians and Jews were forced to fight
IN tho army, or pay an exemption tax
of $3.50, whereas previous to this the
army had been wade IN cntircl" nj
Mohammcdans Turks have put forth
the claim that this fact that there are
Christians and Turks fighting side by
side with the Mohammedans gives as
surance that there will be no religious
war or holy war
or some interest is the phrase, 'tho
sick. man of Europe or 'sthe sick
man OF the East by which Turkey
has been almost universally known
during the last fifty years. It Is said
to have originated with Gear Mich
olas OF Russia, In q conversation In
1851 with Sir George Hamilton Sey-
mouD tho British charge d'affairs. AT
that time tho. Car made the follow.
Ing remark: I'VE have on our hands
q sick man, n very sick man, 1T will
be great misfortune, If, ono of these
days. he should slip away from us
before the necessary arrangements
have been made" Tie words applied
we'll to the morlbund condition Of
Turkey. which at that time owned its
q n n Tr