THE HOPE OF TURKEY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2490, 1 May 1909, Page 7

THE HOPE OF TURKEY.

Thirty years ago it- would have been . fair to say that'in many respects Turjfeey stood for the sixteenth century as v/that period was experienced in Europe. Of late years an enlightened scepticism ' lias found its way into the territory ruled by the Sultan as. a creature of the '.Mohammedan priesthood. A magnificent boon to Asiatics in one respect, as it tended to make of them a sober race, the Koran has, in other kept Turkey uound hand and foot. When first made the heritage of -the Mussulmans, this pretended revelation from God tended to the advancement of the East. By making it the ‘-basis of/ the civil law, its .votaries ; were chained.tto a rock. While other nations, advanced the Turks stood still. Now that the parting of the ways •lias come,, now .that the, spirit of the nation recognises the value of a principle which woulcl extend perfect freedom to all religions, while at the same time refusing to allow any one of them to dominate the State and utilise its resources for proselytism and aggrandisement, Turkey may be regarded as having started on a period of advancement the development of which promises well for civilisation. —“Daily Telegraph.”