The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, APRIL 22. 1909. THE TURKISH REVOLUTION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2482, 22 April 1909, Page 4

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, APRIL 22. 1909. THE TURKISH REVOLUTION.

It was only tile other day that, whilst discussing the situation in Persia, we referred to the remarkably peaceful manner in which despotism in Turkey had been replaced by constitutional government. The smoothness with which this tremendous revolution was brought about was The marvel of all Europe at the time, for even the Young Turks, who had forced the Sultan to accept a parliamentary constitution, had been fully prepared for a civil war of at least six months’ duration before they secured constitutional rights for the people. It now appears, however, that the real struggle was simply avoided by tho Sultan at that time, and lie has since made a desperate effort to regain practically solo power within his own hands. Tho Government formerly in power, which virtually represented the Young Turks, lias been forcibly turned out, and another put in its place, which we may assume is representative of the Court and its special interests. The immediate cause of tho outbreak is said to have been the refusal of the government to include the Sultan’s name in the daily prayers. This, of course, is an extreme manifestation of Mohammedanism, and as the constitution recently sanctioned expressly gives liberty to all in regard to religion, it is not surprising that a conflict has occurred on this point. Mohammedanism is.still the State religion of tho Turks; and it is easily understandable that the Sultan, would use any favorable opportunity to maintain its absolute power. In this lie would have the active iassistan.ee of the priests and the enormous support they can command. It is difficult at this distance to accurately assess the lactors that have brought the country to the verge of a civil war, but it is more than probable that religious fanaticism is at tho bottom of it and that the outbreak represents the determination of the Mohammedans to keep out the Young Turks lost a gradual broadening of religious opinions should result from tho tolerance of their administration. In this part of tho world it is often forgotten that tho followers of Mohammed total many millions of Orientals, a number quite sufficient if they were actually united, to almost dominate the world. They are to be found in Egypt, Turkey, Persia, India and in all parts of tho blast and are hound together not merely by spiritual ties hut by membership of a Mohammedan League. Rumors of a- Holy'"War, or Jehad, on behalf of the Mohammedan prophet have become very rife in recent years and it would seem that constitutionalism in Turkey is finding the machinations of the dominant religious sect the most aggressive foe to its policy of .reform. However, it is evident from the. latest cables that the Young Turks arc prepmTd’to fight desperately for %;:*

political rights,, -and it would seem that they have a very strong following. They promptly commenced a march upon Constantinople, threatening that unless their demands were acceded to, to make matters exceedingly unpleasant for , the Sultan. Meantime the warships of the foreign nations are dosing round the Bosphorus in order to take wliat steps may be necessary to protect tlie subjects of tlie respective nations. This is precisely the stage at nv-hich complications may easily ensue, for the whole record of history shows that it is much easier to secure the assistance of a foreign Power than to get rid of soldiery once they are landed in >a- country. Neither of the conflicting parties in Turkey, therefore, will relish armed Intervention, and this fact may induce them to come to terms with each other more rapidly than would otherwise be the ease. The first indication of this is the /’news that the Sultan intends to abdicate, and if lie does so, there is every ' reason to hon-c for a peaceful outcome of a very serious outbreak. It was scarcely to be expected that a despot of the type of Abdul Hamid would take kindly to the restrictions of a Parliamentary constitution; and trouble was hound to come sooner or later. The heir presumptive is not looked upon as likely to be a brilliant sovereign, .but it is expected that he will, if appointed, prove much more- amenable to the advice of his Ministerial advisors than the present Sultan.