THE SULTAN’S SPEECH.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1221, 1 February 1878, Page 3

THE SULTAN’S SPEECH.

In a speech from the throne on the opening of the Turkish Parliament, the Sultan declared that Russia had begun the war, and that Turkey compelled to defend herself against aggression had offered the utmost resistance. The Ottomans had displayed a most patriotic spirit, as evinced by the self-denial of all classes, and the courage of the Turkish soldiers had excited the admiration of the world. His Majesty spoke with special approbation of the formation of the Civic Guard. His non-Mussulman subjects had shown a conscientious desire to share in the defence of the country. The constitution granted to non-Mussulman subjects perfectequality in the eye of the law, therefore, as they had acquired corresponding duties at home it was only natural they should share military service, and the Government had decided to enlist nonMussulman subjects in the ranks of the army. The only safeguard for the Empire was to completely carry out the constitution. The Sultan’s dearest wishes were to see all classes of his subjects enjoy the blessings of complete equality, and the country profit by acceptance of modern ideas, financial reforms, and fulfilment of national engagements, adjustment of taxation in accordance with the rules of sound political economy, the collection of revenue on an equitable system, the revision of the judicial system, reforms to facilitate tenure and sale of landed property, bestowal of municipal privilege as the basis of an administrative system, and, finally, by re-organisation of the gendarmerie. "Unfortunately the calamities of war had retarded the accomplishment of these reforms, nevertheless, the Sultan hoped for the future progress of reform. Various measures have been prepared by the Council of State, and would be submitted to the consideration of Parliament concerning civil procedure, the general election of Ministers and functionaries of the courts of justice; the public press, taxation, and the state of siege. He concluded as follows : “ Truth can be elicited cn questions of political and civil rights only by perfect liberty of discussion. That liberty having been conferred by the Constitution, you require no further instructions. Our relations with friendly Powers are of a most cordial kind. May the Most High bless our common efforts.”