The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-06-28
An English Journalist's RecoIlec.
tions of Abdul Hamid.

Under date OF January 1, 1918, Prof.
Armlnlus Vambery wrote to SIDNEY
WHITMAN. who prints in an appendix
TO his TUkish Memories tScribner)
some correspondence with the Hun
Sarian Orlentalist, the following words
in mild admonition against the Tur-
cophile tendency Of the British news
paper man: "Your friendly feeling
toward Sultan Abdul Hamid ought
not to blind you to the real character
OF this unfortunate prince. lie was
decidedly highly gifted, though this was
less apparent toward the end OF his
reign. He suffered from the defects of
Eastern princes and OF Orientals in
general. His intentions may have been
honest. but the means no applied were
decidedly perverse and he never lis
tened TO advice, nor did he believe in
anybody" Prof. Nambery was as nat
urally inclined 10 a cynic view OF the
Sultan as Mr. Whitman to its oppo-
site. Tho Hungarian had tried. 81
even rlsked my llfe." he says, ito
lead Abdul into the harbor OF politi-
cal security by which tho present
1871 catastrophe could have been
avoided" and his endeavors had been
"ttSiiJ Ihc won
the Sutan's favor at the time OF the
Armenian outbreak in Constantinople
in 1896 by sending TO his newspaper
reports giving political explanation
of the disturbances instead Of the gen.
orally circulated accoun. based upon
religious animus.
Certainly in his treatment Of the cor
respondent the Sultan cannot be ac-
npSnl az that 20 Inh
princes are famous. Entertaining Mr.
Whitman at dinner in the palace Izzet
Bey. second secretary. remarked !:
Mon cher un milliard ne pourrait pas
vous recompenser pour ce que vous
avez fat pour nous This may or
may not have meant business: at any
rate the correspondent disclaimed de-
sire for remuneration from any but his
professional employer. conscious only
of having acted in a fair and sympa-
thetic spirit where others had persis-
tently given n one sided account of
events" Brought into "the presence"
he was moved 10 admiration OF the
Sultans grace of bearing, charm of
manner and simple dignity. albeit
somewhat handicapped by features
and figure that might without much
imagination have been supposed to be-
long TO a Galata money changer" While
1t may well be that Abdulllan legend
somewhat overstresses the lines of
despotic physiognomy and slurs those
of human benevolence in tin portrait,
there is something naive and uncon-
vincing in MI Whitman's attribution
10 these attractive qualities displayed
by the autocTat OF complete accounta-
blity FOR the Difference and submissive
demeanor of the courtiers. They knew
the fist, where the complacent visitor
was aware only of the glove.
OF this legend. under the more dig
nified appellation Of European public
opinion, 1t is said that while giving
the Sultan too much credit for ability
and knowledge OF mankind It under
rated his qualities of heart" Instead
OF believing in nobody, as Prof. YAM
| berry asserted. he was often betrayed by
too ready a faith In assurances and
| promises. Coming at the age of 81
into rulership over an empire prac-
tically bankrupt. rotten with official
corruption, with a people pltilessly en-
plotted and oppressed. he was a faith
full and efficient ruler: educator of his
/ people," lie built himself a lasting
monument in Constantinople's system
OF water supply. the finest In the
world" and In the commercial develop
ment OF Anatolla's wheat crop. An
eora'S cereals and the native beef that
has taken the place OF Russian i'm.
ports in feeding the capital city. In
short, in Mr.. Whltman's view. he was
a man of sagaclty of strong purpose
hampered by surroundings that made
1t impossible to get insight into rea
values; gaining his strength. while Il