THE YOUNG TURKISH PARTY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10596, 14 September 1896, Page 4

THE YOUNG TURKISH PARTY.

Ahmed Riza Bsy, one of the Young Turkish , patty, who was recently sentenced to death by the present Sultan but escaped, made his way to England, where he was interviewed by a representative of the Pall Mall Gazette. He said he wished it to ba thoroughly understood that they were not revolutionaries. They re« : spected all laws and religions creeds, and had no animosity against any one Power. They were united in demanding the integrity of the Empire, the maintenance of the dyuaaty o£ Ottoman, the observance of all treaties, conventions, &c.; but above all they desired the re-establishment of the Constitution. As to the feeling with regard to Russia, that Power was now protecting Turkey, and in doing so acting in the worst interests of the Ottomans. The party recognised England and France as the natural allies oE Turkey. England, he said, had failed to interest herself in the internal affairs of Turkey and the nonintervention in the Armenian crisis has made her lose the prestige she had hitherto enjojed ia Turkey. Asked if he suggested that England should have seconded the young Turks to obtain the reforms ho demanded, he replied: " Certainly, and for two reasons—a moral and a material one. Euglicd bound herself to do so by the treaties of Cyprus and of Berlin. Surely she should respect her signature ! Then, as regards the material interests, you ate no doubt aware that British trade with Ttirkey has greatly declined, from causes which are mainly political. For the last 20 years the Sultan has done his best to injure English commerce in his dominions. He his indeed been consistently anti-EngKsn ever since his accession to the throne." "Will you tell ms a few words about your organisation, which I believe you call the Ottoman Committee of Union and of Progress?"—" Our committee was formed five years ago in Constantinople by certain patriots of various shades of oainioa. We found it impossible, however, owing to the close supervision to which we Tfere subjected, to pursue aur aims upon the Kojphorus, and therefore we removed to Paris, wheca eeven months ago we founded our. journti—the Mechveret. We have still a committee sitting secretly iv Constantinople, and the Sultan, in spite of many efforts, has been hitherto unable to identify its members. We have other branches at Beyrout, Aleppo, Smyrna, Salonics, and an important one in Bulgaria, where wa have numerous adherents. Mourad Bey, as you know, has hitherto defended our cause iv Cairo, and I may tell you, while speaking of him, that ha has now joined issue, as regards political doctrines, with us; so that we have vow one common programme." "And now will you tell me what are your present aims ? " —" Ail we can do at present is to actively continue our press campaign, appealing to the Turkish people in Turkey, and endeavouring to enlisfc as many sympathisers as possible in other countries." "And in the event of the death, the deposition, or the abdication of Abdul Hamid, what course would you pursue P "—Without hesita- . tioa, Ahmed Biza answared: "Our first care would be to exert our influence te maintain . order, to prevent a reckless outburst of popular fury. We would endeavour that everything ' should take place peaceably. Then we would demand of the Sultau's probable successor and younger brother, Eectiid Effendi, the reestablishment, or rather the convocation, of the Turkish Parliament, which waa wrongfully suppressed, as you know, by the presienfl Snltan. Rechid EffenOi, I may say, is already gained over to our cause, and has promised that our just claims shall be granted on his accession to the throng. It is usual for a new Sultan to make many concessions to popular feeling and to proclaim an amnesty for political exiles." " . ■ " But what about the elder brother, Mourad, so mysteriously confined in his kiosque at Constantinople ? " —" As we respect the principle of legitimacy, we would ascertain whether, according to medical opinion,, he was fit to reign—whether his mental condition was euoU as to permit his doingso. If he were found to be in good health we would not heoitate to place him on the throne." "Do you consider that the privilege ot naming a successor to Abdul Hamid would rest with your party?"—" Largely. Our political ideas have penetrated deeply. In the srmy and in the Palace onr supporters sre very numerous." "And now as to the object of your visit to London." —" I came to see influential politicians and to enlisfc their sympathies. I am happy to say that I have not been disappointed. I have met with much courtesy and with no little encouragement. For the reasons I-have already given you I consider that it is certainly to the interest of England to favour our cause. We are the executors pi' all the reforms thai; England should desire in the cause of humanity and of peace. Wa do not, remember, assert that Turkey, oppressed and tried as sho has been, would become happy and prosperoun in a single daj under the new rigimt ; that would nob be in harmony with the oniural taw which requires all political progress to be slow. But we do no! see, at the present time, several European countries, well organised and prosperous, jet struggling with economic aud social problems, unable to effect reform* except by lengthy methodß ? As I have said in the appeal which wo recently made to tha European Powers, tha cause of Turkey, dismembered as she is, and impoverished morally ?.nd materially, expoied to envy from within as from without, is a greaS cause. Turkey claims the indulgence of foreign nations ; she has a right to ask for justice."