The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. SATURDAY, MAY 1,1909. THE TURKISH REVOLUTION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2490, 1 May 1909, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. SATURDAY, MAY 1,1909. THE TURKISH REVOLUTION.

Fortunate’v the efforts of the Sultan to destroy constitutional Govern-. ment- in Turkey have failed and his abortive attempt to again secure despotic powers has iresulted in his own deposition. Turkey is indeed furnishing many surprises nowadays. It is only a few months since the reform party in the Sultan’s dominions, feeling that the time had come for them to strike for constitutional liberty made their formal demands for the establishment of a representative parliament. Though working under most difficult circumstances they had by the utmost perseverance and marvellous patience succeeded in obtaining sufficient military support to justify them in having recourse to arms if necessary. Indeed, it is said they anticipated and were prepared to stand the brunt of a six months’ civil war, but quite unexpectedly the Sultan conceded the demands so that the curious and very gratifying spectacle was provided of one of the most turbulent countries in modern history passing through a political revolution .without even a single shot being fired by either of the opposing forces. It is now apparent that- Abdul Hamid was simply exhibiting tan-other phase of his inherent craftiness and, noting the strength of the Young Turks, had decided that it would be wiser to make his final effort at a time and in a manner when the reformers, were not expecting it. Therefore, while giving way temporarily, he immediately set to work to undermine the position of the government and in his efforts to do so endeavored to play off the intolerant spirit of Moslem fanaticism against tho.se in political power. As the cables have informed us his plans were' well laid tand, under more favorable circumstances, .might easily have been successful. He had tho Ministry displaced by one of his own nomination amUiarranged by the tise of military force to maintain it in office. But, as events turned out the bulk of the 1 urkish people had had moire than enough of the unscrupulous despot who has tyrannically controlled' their destinies for the past thirty years, ancl even the Mohammedans, whose religious privileges he claimed to be protecting, were evidently not prepared t-o fight for his retention. The Young Turks insisted upon the prompt (reinstatement of the former Ministry ancl, failing their requests being acceded to, threatened to march upon Constantinople. This was, of col-rsc, the supreme test, and the Sultan accepted it. Ho did his best to retain the army and navy, but when both sides had shown their hands, the Young Turks held the majority -of the trumps. Leaving Salonika, their headquarters, for Constantinople, their forces' daily grew in strength until finally they had a force of 100,000' well disciplined and well-armed soklriro -o enforce their demands, Tli-e -Sultan had no force at all capable of making a dofence against such odds, and ho had no option hut to advise Ids own little army to surrender, and the capital o i.ie Ottomans was peacably occupied. He

final stage in the career of a famous potentate was entered upon when, having retired to his own palace, the nas'erablo Sultan was found, lesertM oy l is own bodyguard and attendants, si.d with only a few women from his ra’C-n left to share in the humiliating climax to an extraordinary ;eign. s fate has been settled by his cantors a'd h > is to be imprisoned, for the present at ~ny rate, in his own dominions. It may be added that it is fortunate for his head that the customs of a century ago are ho longer prevalent in Europe. Charles I. was decapitated for a similar offence of conspiring to overthrow constitutional authority, whilst his career was angelic compared with the gory record of the Sultan of Turkey.

One very satisfactory feature about the whole business is the likelihood of recent events putting an end to the terrible massacres of Christians that have periodically taken place in Armenia and Macedonia. The Young Turks have taken pains to assure the people that there is nothing in the Constitution in any way inconsistent with the tenets of Mohammedanism. At the same time, while this is still the state religion, absolute tolerance for other sects is a main principle of the Constitution and the Young Turks, now that their power is more definitely assured will ho likely to enforce this point by giving protection wherever there is a danger of the fanatical uprisings that have disgraced European history during the past century. According to accounts the Sultan’s successor does not seem likely to have any very prominent part in the government of the country. Imprisoned for thirty years by his unscrupulous brother, he has been completely shut off from the outside world, and is profoundly ignorant of foreign affairs. However, he is described as a quiet, scholarly man, with a temperament in striking contrast to Abdul Hamid, and it is probable that he will be quite content to rule - peaceably according to the advice of his Ministers. A feature of the recent crisis was the rumor that Germany, with the assistance of Austria, attempted to play a strong hand in insisting upon the retention of the Abdul Hamid as Sultan. It would certainly not suit either Austria or Germany to see established in, Turkey a strong constitutional and patriotic Government, able arA willing to resist foreign aggression. Indeed, there is only too much reason to believe that Austria arranged her annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Germainoffered her sympathy and support to Bulgaria at this special juncture chieflj to embarrass the Young Turks, and either to‘ draw them into a hopeless war or to discredit them in the eyes of their people by forcing them to offer humiliating -concessions as the price of peace. However, it is satisfactory that this form of diplomacy failed and the strong support given by the Turkish people'to the Reform Party at a critical period is likely to greatly assist towards the peace iof that country and also of Europe in general.