TURKISH WAR MINISTER.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1490, 12 July 1912, Page 5

TURKISH WAR MINISTER.

MAHMUD SHEVKET PASHA RESIGNS By Teleeraph-Press Aesodation-Copyrifcht Constantinople, July 10. Mahmud Shcvket Pasha, the Turkish Minister for War, has resigned, owing to tho discontent in the army and the growing opposition in Parliament.

THE STRONG MAN OF TURKEY. A correspondent of tho "Westminster Gazette," writing of Mahmond Shevket Pasha, last year, said of liira:—"To-day tho otio strong man in Turkey, whose name is on all lips, is the War Minister, and the Chanceries of. Europe aro cogitating upon tho threatening storms and the part which this great Arab eoldier will play in the event of another revolution breaking out on the Bosphorus. There is but one answer. Mahmond Shevkct Pasha, upon whom the hopes of Turkey aro centred, is mado of sterner stuff than most men, and, to o eincero and enlightened patriotism, brings to bear upon his enormous task of reorganising tbo Ottoman Army the necessary qualifications of real capacity, remarkable tact, and high character. His power will assuredly' be used in strengthening Turkey against foes internal, .which nro far more dangerous than any possible foreign enemy. "Tho basis, of. course, of Mahmond Shevkot's commanding position is that he is the Fatih Sam (the second Conqueror), for he planned and executed with skill and dexterity thd military movements which preceded the deposition oi the Sultan Abdul Hamid, and his declined tho offer of any pecuniary reward for his services. Ho has not only restored discipline in tho Army, but, by the resrading of officers unduly promoted uiidoT the old regime, he has actually reduced his own rank from that of Field Mawhal l>3 General. This proof of his unselfishnoss has profoundly influenced the nation, as well as tho .younger officers of the Aimy. It will, without doubt, enable the War Minister, to break tho occult α-ad pernicious influences of the Committee of >Union' and Progress, which, in spite of excellent work done in earlier days, has degenerated, so far as tlie central executive is concerned, , into a croup of Chauvinists, daily nlioimtiiiff from the Committee its oldest, wisest, and most nonourable x supporfors."