Evening journal., 1918-07-05

AMSTERDAM. July 5.-Mohammed v
Sultan OF Turkey, died at 7 O'Clock
Wednesday night, says a Constantinople
dispatch received here yesterday by
way Of Vienna.
Mohammed Y, thlrty-nfth sovereign
of Turkey in direct descent Of the
house Of Gilman, founder OF the en-
pire, came TO the throne by a coup
d'etat on April 81. 1909. after having
been held for thirty-three years a
prisoner by bis brother, Sultan Abdul
II. in the royal palace in Constanti-
nople. The scheming Abdul ii IN
tended that his own son, Prince Bur
han Edino, described as the most brill
liant and gifted Of the princes OF the
house OF Gilman, should succeed him.
J But this plan was thwarted when
Parliament deposed Abdul and placed
his prisoner brother, Mohammed Res
schad Effendi on the throne.
The Shiek-ul-Islam, head Of the
Church IN Turkey. drew up the decree
OF deposition. which passed Parliament
without dissent. Five minutes later Mo
hammed, who during his imprisonment
had had no experience In tho duties Of
government, was declared Sultan The
same afternoon he took the oath Of
ndelhy to the Turkish constitution.
Mohammed V was born In Constanti-
uople, November 3, 1915. He was OF a
studIous disposition and widely read In
Turkish literature. His long lmprisoD-
ment with lack OF exercise and rich
living undermined his health. His ap-
pearance showed the ravages Of time
and the worries OF an unsteady throne.
BY his enforced secluslon he wos total
ly unfit for public life, and is reported
10 have said regarding It: During my
Imprisonment OF thlrty-three years my
enemies have slandered me and called
me a madman bordering on lmbecility."
He was characterized as good-nRtured,
weak and ingenious, with an almost
infantile curiosity and OF religious
nature.
At his accession he espoused the
cause Of the Young Turks, the party |
which was In opposition to his broth |
sr's reign. Upon the deposition Of Alb |
dul, Mohammed was welcomed by them
as a champion Of freedom. He promised
q progressive reign In a speech from the
throne read by the Grand Vizier. He
was, however. merely pawn OF the
Young Turk party, although he sent
out 10 the world the message that ho
had always been the ardent supporter
OF the cause OF liberty. snlightment and
progress.
His hand In the government was new
er strong. Illness. a naturally easy
disposition and weak will power kept
his continually at the mercy Of the
turkish officers and the Liberty party.
He feared deposition during the Tur-
ko-Italian War In 1914 and passed q
night praying IN The shrines Of Con-
stantinople. He appealed 10 the army
to be loyal 70 him and said their trea-
sonable demands encouraged the enemy
TO attack the Dardanelies. He also lost
most OF his European domlnions In the
Balkan wars. The Young Turks invaded !
the palace In 1918 when Mohammed was /
reported to have become reconciled
with his brother.
In 1914, at the outbreak OF the pres
ent war, Mohammed Issued a procla-
nation blaming the Triple Entente
with thrusting war on Turkey. He ex-
changed telegrgams OF greeting with
he German Emperor, from whom he
ater received the iron cross. When
England and France declared that
tate OF war existed with Turkey, he
Irranged to send troops 10 Germany
whenever needed. In return he was ap-
,ointed field marshal by the German
Emperor and received tho baton Of
hat oflce from Field Marshal Won
In February, 1917, IN a speech in
the Sultan promised Turk
Ish participation In the war until the |
and end declared the alliance forced |
him TO break relations with the
United States.
The Turkish empire paid dearly for
Its entry into the great war. Russia
overran Armenia and the British drove
Che Turks far up the valleys OF the
Euphrstes and the Tlgris and took
Jerusalem, Bsgdad and other important
stiles from them, with great loss OF
life and treasure. Under him Turkey
has become virtually a German vas
sal In the autocratlc scheme Of the
German Powers for Teutonlo ascend
ency IN central Europe.
In Turkey the throne does not pass