TURKISH REFORM.

Evening Post, Volume LIII, Issue 114, 15 May 1897, Page 4

TURKISH REFORM.

♦ Just now, when the eyes of the civilised world are watching the struggle between democratic Greece and despotic Turkey, it may be of interest to recall the bold attempt at Constitutional government made in the Litter country during the years 1875 and 1876. Many who write and talk freely about Eastern affairs are apparently scarcely aware of its existence, although one of the Sultan's greatest Viziers, Midhat Pasha, risked and lost his life in the caune of reform. Abdul Aziz was then Sultan> and the Government of the country had reached such a pitch of corruption that appointments were purchased through the harem, Governors were continually shifted for the sake of the presents they gave to the Court on transfers, honest officials were ruined, the unscrupulous repaid themselves by extortion, and finally the extravagance of the Palace had utterly disorganised the finances. Midhat'a predecessor Mahmoud was largely responsible for these evils, and it was only when popular discontent, the riots of Christians and the protests of the Young Turkey Party, had inspired the Sultan with a wholesome fear for his own life, and for the existence of his Empire, that he dismissed the corrupt Mahmoud and appointed Midhat to the Grand Vizierate. Midhat, however, was a brusque, honest reformer, and incurred the enmity of the harem, of the Court, and even of his despotic and self-indulgent master. Mahmoud was reappointed Vizier and Midhat degraded to a subordinate post in the Cabinet. He found his position untenable, and, to the Sultan's disgust, retired into private life, where he and his followers matured their plans of reform. Their objects were to control the Sovereign by Ministers responsible — especially in the case of finances — to a national popular Assembly, to make the Assembly truly national by the abolition of all religious and class distinctions, and to decentralise the Government so far as to establish provincial control over the Governors. Popular clamour forced the Sultan to again dismiss Mahmoud, and Midhat once more joined the Cabinet. Abdul Aziz, however, was blindly and obstinately determined to thwart reform, and at last by a coup d'etat Midhat effected his deposition and the proclamation of Prince Murad, who had already accepted the Constitution. Even the Sheikh-ul-Islam, the highest authority on the Sacred Law, justified the deposition, and Christians and Moslems rejoiced at the overthrow of the tyrant. For the moment the Liberal Party seemed successful, but a series of untoward events soon brought the dream of liberty to an end. Abdul Aziz died, somewhat mysteriously, and rumours of murder began to fly about. Then the new Sultan's mind gave way, and the Ministers could not promulgate the Constitution without his signature. They hesitated to declare to the world Murad's condition until they could make sure of Prince Hamid, then Heir-apparent, and now Sultan Abdul Hamid. At last they were compelled to disclose the state of affairs, and Abdul Hamidascended the throne. Heatonce set about restoring the old personal government, but to allay popular discontent promised to establish a Senate and Representative Assembly to vote the Budget and taxes and to re-organise the provincial administration. The, new charter ultimately promulgated proved very satisfactory for, a first attempt, and' Sir Henry Elliot, then British Ambassador at Constantinople, says .— " The two sessions of the Parliament held under it were most encouraging, and showed the members to be fully determined that their control over the Government should be a real one." The Sultan, however, fretted at the curtailment of his liberty to govern corruptly, and used Abdul Aziz's death as a means to get rid of Midhat. When the Liberals were deprived of their brave leader they ware soon crushed by Abdul Hamid, who abolished the Constitution, and has since proved a worthy successor of the blood-stained tyrants of Constantinople.