SITUATION IN TURKEY.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 492, 27 April 1909, Page 6

SITUATION IN TURKEY.

The Sultan's throne has always been the uneasiest in Europe, for, while other Sovereigns may have had as many ep.emies, not one has had so many fears. Yet Abdul Hamid, who it- is stated has now 'accepted a Salonikan guard, has clung to his seat of many tortures, as men cling to life even when it has become most wretched. A few days ago, after the failure, of his coup against the forces of constitutional government, it was announced that Abdul Hamid. was about" to abdicate, and that-he had, become reconciled to his ibng-imprisoned brother, who was about to succeed him, this- recognition by a Caliph of his successor being ail event unprecedented in the Turkish world. The Sur.TAN, however, seems to bo as incapable of relinquishing his power as of using it with justice and -moderation, and he still occupies a shaking throne. His yacht, armed against possible eventualities, was' waiting to takp him to an asylum of quiet refuge, when; it was announced that German influence was being,used to maintain him in the'seat of power, and several' leaders of the Young" Turks themselves were reported as expressing opinions hostile to the deposition of the Sultan. It is easy to see that it might bea highly inconvenient and embarrassing position for the Moslem world, to have two Caliphs, two supreme representatives of the Prophet,.existing at one time, and it is easier to deprive the Sultan of his temporal authority than to destroy that spiritual ascendancy, which, : despite his many crimes, he'possesses'in the minds * of millions of his countrymen. To loyal Mohammedans it must have been a sacrilegious and awful sight to eoc the guns of the i ,Young;

Turks trained upon tho very Palace where the Commander of tho Faithful dwells. Tho protestations of tho leaders of the party that they do not intend the deposition of the Sultan wero probably designed to allay the misgivings and resentment which such acts of violence could not fail to arouse, It is the principal clement of weakness in tho campaign of the Young Turks, whose attack upon Constantinople seems to have been admirably planned, and so far been conducted with remarkable : moderation and success, that a largo proportion of the Army and populace alike are still loyal to the despot whom they, regard 1 as their spiritual as well as temporal head. In the outlying portions of his Empire, whore his crimes are not so personally known, there is especially strong fidelity ; to his cause. The reformers are placed i in a very difficult position, since while . they, maintain the Sultan in authority i' his scheming inind will be for ever devisi ing plans for their destruction, and if : they should depose him they , will at once : alienate a large section of loyal Moslems, • who would be liable to declare a "holy • war" on behalf of thc-ir injured Caliph, ■ whenever he might instigate them. Nor ) is the avaijable choice of successors very , satisfactory between a brother who has - grown old in prison and sons who are , quite likely to have inherited their fath--1 er's disposition and ambitions. Probably ; the best the Young Turks have to hope for - is a weak Sovereign, who will bo a pas--1 sive agent in the reformers' hands. Un- - der Abdul Hami'd the .development of a i. new, regenerated Turkey seems' a hopei less task. '