THE PROMISED REFORMS IN TURKEY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1848, 24 January 1880, Page 3

THE PROMISED REFORMS IN TURKEY.

The Constantinople correspondent of the " Standard " telegraphs the following text of an announcement which has just been made bv the Sultan :

"The accomplishment of the reforms which tho s : tuation of the Empire and existing circumstances ronder necessary has invariably been an object of the greatest anxiety to his Imperial Majesty tho Sultan. With this view certain fundamental laws and regulations have already bean instituted, and steps havo been taken for the execution of certain measures of public interest. Bub the heavy calamities which have afflicted the Ottoman Empire for some years past have not allowed of the complete realisation of these generous iutentions. The weighty cares which the war left behind it having been now in a great measure removed, his Imperial Majesty the Sultan hss deigned to order tho adoption and carrying into execution of the measures most suitable for assuring the benefits of equal justice to all classes of tho population, and for developing the general prosperity. In conformity with this sovereign, order, the Council of Ministers has deeply considered this momentous question, and has divided the requisite reforms into two categories. The fitst comprises regulations for the administrative reorganisation of the provinces of European Turkey, regulations which will have to be sent to the various vilayets, to be submitted to the examination of the local commissions there, before thoy are put into execution. This category also comprises the immediate execution of the necessary reforms for the reorganisation of the administrative system in Asia, and in other localities of the Empire. The seoond category concerns the reorganisation of all branohes cf the public administration, so as to secure the prompt despatch of business, the advantageous distribution of work in the public offices, and finally the execution of all reforms of a nature to give fresh life to the capacities of the country. The results of the inquiries and deliberations of the Council of Ministers upon each of these two great classes of reforms having been submitted to the Sultan, and invested with his sovereign sanction, tho reality and efficacy of all these reforms will experience no delay in biiog publicly demonstrated by actual and striking facts. From this dt.y forth it is brought to tho knowledge of all that a project of organic regulation for the provinces |:i European Turiey has been forwarded to the vilayets, and that the laws concerning Ministerial powers and responsibility, after having been weighed in Council by the Cabinet, and discussed and approved by a special commission of legal advisers, has been invested with the Imperial sanction, and will immediately come into operation." The correspondent of the " Times " adds that the Irade appointing Baker Pasha in-spector-General of the Gendarmerie in Asia Minor has been signed, and he will start shortly on a preliminary tour for the purpose of preparing a report on the measures necessary to iLsuro tho public tranquility of these provinces. Though Baker Pasha has not reci ived any executive authority, it is expected that his journey in Asia Minor may have a good effect in stimulating the Governors and other authorities to energetic action. The powers which he has received will enablo him to make thorough investigation into all branches of the administration and to report directly to the Sultan. As Pashas have a wholesome dread of their sins of omission and commission reaching the Imperial ear, the visits of an intelligent, observant, independent functionary will doubtless have a considerable influence upon them; but we must beware of indulging inordinate expectations. ReDorting directly to the Sultan is a euphemistic official phrase, which simply means sending in a report to the palace, where there are always numerous secret influences ready to be used in favor of abuses and misdeed?. We have only to examiuo the position of Midhat Pasha in Syria, or of Abeddin Pasha in Sivas, to convince ourselves that the existing evils have their origin, not so much in the dishonesty or iccapacity of the local Governors, as in the baneful influence of the Palace on the local administration. Yildiz Kio>-k is the Augean stable which has most need to be cleansed, and until that difficult operation is effected, the prospects of genuine reforms in Turkey cannot be considered as very brilliant. General Baker's first haltingplace will be Aleppo, and thence he will go to Diarbekir. His further movements will be determined by circumstances, but it is highly probable that he will spend the winter months in the southern provinces, and move northwards in the spring.