GREAT BRITAIN AND ISLAM.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13888, 27 April 1907, Page 5

GREAT BRITAIN AND ISLAM.

INTERVIEW WITH THE-SULTAN.

The following article from.Mr Sidney Whitman (special correspondent) appeared ■in the London-Daily Mail of March 8:To' many Englishmen it k a source of 'deep regret itliat' for a long timo past •England has not cnjoyed"that-;prcstigo and popularity in Turkey to which her past; traditions aiid her material interest; in tho ooimtry*fairly entiUo her. And this ■ft>i" ( "'-ore than sentimental reasons. The Sultan of Turkey is tho spiritual chief of'the entire -Mohammedan world, of which many millions livo under .English rale. Turkey w.isesee a million 'soldiers who are, commonly'reputed to l>o. among tho bravest, in tho wcy'ld. Thc.se, under certain eventualities, might become Engallies again, as tlicy have been in tho past. Moreover, motives of an ccononuo - nature point-to our interest, in standing noil with Turkey and her Sovereign, since under his rule great, progioss has been made in or,'ening up tho wealth of tho country. Wo" aro-now only at tho beginning of what is destined'to he a far-reaching movement in exploiting tho economic possibilities of Asia Minor.

Others arc busy l-eapinsr where England has sown; and it is certainly to our detriment in mare ways than one that this should he so. It is true that the dry statistics of England's coinmcroo still top the list- of Turkey's exports and imports; hut a feeling prevails among tho Turks that England- is no longer, as of yore, Turkey s powerful and unselfish friend. As a distinguished Turkish dignitary said to mo sadly, now 10 years ago, " England was once to us a garden in which Englishmen wero the comely 4 flowers. But now a. ■serpent has stolen upon t-lio scene—the serpent of calumny." OUR LOST INFLUENCE. This, however, is not the plaeo to dilate upon .the onuses of umvclcomc change in tho relationship of tho two countries, butrather to re-echo a desire, existing in many, plticcs, for «i bettor understanding. ' For a long time a better understanding was rendered impossible owing to influences and circumstances upon which it is now needless to dwell. Now, however, that Jjnglajjd possesses a diplomatic rop're* •sensitive at 'ConsUmtmople who is liked and respected by the Turks, who places tho broader interests of his country above the prejudices of a Jiassionate and ignorant section of his countrymen, and who can bo n n" • ocea -?' ou ."rises,, without. habituallv flouting the ruler whom he desires to influence by friendlv means, it is possible to hope for bettuy tilings. Nor can there bo any doubt that tho nrcscnfc rnojucnt is a- signally propitious one; ,tov England to rosa,in some of the influence wantonly lost in Turkey in tho past. Recent political events outsido TurKoy have made a deep impression' upon the' thoughtful Turks, notably the victory of Japan over Russia, and tho German Em--peror a visit to Tangier and its consequences at Algeciras. These events have had an enlightening as well as a soberimr, disenchanting cffcct; an outcome of which' in many places has been the conviction' that after all, in the long: run, Turkey has inoro to gain from .friendship with England than with. any.-, other Power. Hence a-desire to see. a hotter feeling..prevail-'be-tween England..and'.Turkey; all'tho inore : so since others .who have steptred into England's place have of lato-shown signs of'an endeavour to overreach and'*to dominate, which 16 pceuliatly galling to a proud raoe. A feeling is growing among the Turks that others are presuming too much' ■on'the supposed'friendliness of'tho-:Sultan.' An element of aggressive selfishness has been detected'of 'late, which repels and antagonises. Now is ' England's opportunity. A POPULAR. SULTAN. Tho desire for a better ■ understanding is heartily reciprocated in Turkey by many Englishmen living there. They dap'loro the attitude of moral superiority which in tho past certain English officials, unable to appreciate the better qualities of'-the Turkish character, have only' too often allowed themselves to adopt in dealing with the Turkish . Government. But in order that these good wishes should bear fruit, it must be understood, once and for all, that our endeavours to improve our relations jyith Turkey are foredoomed to failure unless we are prepared to recOßuiso that for all practical purposes tho Sultan stands 'before tho world, to-day more than ever, for Turkey. I

To-jlay tho Sultan is undisputed master of the situation in the eyes of his subjects, who have conferred upon him tho title of Uhnzi the Victorious, once held by bravo Osman, of Plevna fame. Those who persist in ignoring and misrepresenting l these facts are doing England and Turkev small service, while thev are only delighting the hearts of England's commercial and political rivals; tho political side of this rivalry being as yet carefully kept, out of sight. It is untrue that the Sultan is unpopular in Turkey. The truth is i that Abdul Hamid is the niost popular Sultan tho Turks have had since Alribniuc] Iho Second. Even where the Turks themselves may not app'rove of certain things, they ' strongly resent. European interference, which ' i"s usually brought about br. mendacious misrepresentations filtered through tho Turoophobo English press. These facts have long been thoroughly well known and aclcd upon in every diplomaiio chanccry in Constantinople oxcept. our own. , This being the situation, it seemed desirable to obtain some tangible evidence of the Sultan's sentiments towards England. It is, however,, not. easy lo extracts statement from his Imperial Majesty tho Sultan Even Ministers Plenipotentiary and Envoys Kxtraordi.iarv of great countries have been known to trv in vain for months at a iiine to obtain an audience of tho ruler of 'J\irkcy. And. after an interview has been with difficulty arranged, it'is-bv no means certain that the Sultan can 'bo induced to discuss a subject which lie may do«ire to avoid.

Many years ago—as years count in tho autumn of a human life—the Sultan mado mo a tempting offer to carter his 6orvice, On'; my explaining to him why I was obliged to decline a brilliant position, his Majesty replied: "If you feci you cannot enter mv service, I hope at least that you will come back soon to Constantinople and visit.me as a friend,"

On several subsequent occasions business of one kind or another has brought me back lo Constantinople, and never have I Mt the city without either roceiving a kindly message from, or enjoying an hour's ohat with, the Sultan of Turkey. Indeed, I may eay thai his Majesty's steadfast remcm«nincc of what ho was plcusod to term a service I had onco rendered liim puts to shame the time-honoured proverb of t.ho ingratitude of princes. Not dazzling wealth or even _ 'powerful position forms a passport to this monarch's regard, hut goodwill—proven servioes rendered to himself and his country. Thc-fc liefore now have raised a humblo porter to princely rank - .

Being in Constantinople a few days ago I caused my practice to he notified to his Majesty, and in resnonse received an invitation _ to attend the ceremony of tho Selainlik on the following, Friday, with an intimation that he wished me to remain at the pa.lnee after the pa'vado. Ho hoped Jo receive me if possible. I was informed in private audience. In due course I was ushered into a waitins-roonum tlio unpretuitions one-storied kiosque in which tho SuJta.ii rcoeives bis visitors quite alone, except for the presence of an interpreter, who i 6 usually, hut not always, the Grand Master of Ceremonies and Introducer of Ambassadors. I asked after his Majesty' health, for the Sultan looked well, and- I ventured to hint as much, "Yes," ho replied; lie was glad to say that lie felt, exceedingly well, and, except for a slight indisposition a lew days ago, ho had never felt better. KINDLY AND REFINED. The Sultan is a man of 'medium height, though statcliness of bearing and the possession of power over life and death aro apt to add some inches to a man's staturo in the eyes of the beholder. There U, moreover, a distinct air of refinement,, coupled with kindliness, in tho oxprc'ssion of his features as he receives his visitor standing, clad in a Turkish general's uniform half-hidden by a grey military cloak. As ho sits down he motions his visitor to take !< scat opposite him. His, iliwda- aifi ctewJ-pi} lig 'Mt..sfliiEsyssslii

•n-ca.'re, - a beautiful '1111)7 cui .on. joaTjfldban. The diamond i-'ar_ of' 'Jig lintia-z. Order-iia-isus-:ponded from his collar'.

, Contrary tojjenorarbolief, tho Sultan's \UifoK\sta in iEo outside'world aro-;exoeed-mgly * keen jOikl varied. Some 'years ago the' Turkish Ambassador in London was obliged to rajisack Aho art- shops pf tho West -End in*search of- aiuolaboraio .work on Australian birds wliicb 1 the Sidtaii desired; at another'timo it'is some musical; composition 'lio is in want of. Ho takes particular- interest regularly -in -perusing .the English illustrated papeis. Ono of tho Sultan's 'secretaries has fclia task allotted hun'oP'translating -the 'English lcttci'-press under tho illustrations'* into lurkish, so that his Majesty may" know ■what they aro all about

When conversing 'with politicians the Sultan reveris to .the struggles-and rivalries of nations—Japan,' Knssia, aJid tho United n States,—and their latest doings interest him keenly. Tho Jews aro a race for whom tho . Sultan has always entertained a 'kindly fooling, and- ho believes they aro-.yefc. destined to play a great part in 'tho "world. It. goes without saying that ho has an even greater faith regarding the future of-iiis own countrymen, particularly if tliey remain true to tho precepts of conduct, inculcated by Mahommed in the Koran.

Whcli speaking to a. friend, a kindly interest, in that friend's personal fortunes, bo thev ever so humble, is suro^to' , 'be among his Majesty's concerns. " What, liavo you been doing since I saw you lest? How is the world using ,you? Well, I hope. Havo you written anything, recently? Be sure and send it to me, lor I would like to read it," LIKING I'Oli ENGLISHMEN. I niadc no secret, of my desire to.berable to tell my eounrrymon, through thoimedium •of-the Da-iiv Mail, that his Majesty.liarbours friendly sentiments towards England. "For, as I assured him, I had recently noticed;a;' feeling of sympathy towards England among my Ttiriksh friends which did--not, exist 10 years ago. There seems a desiro to forget' and forgive tho campaign of; calumny, ire- which a. certain section- of 1 tho 1 English press took part, against Turkey,and : hcr ruler. Indeed, tho Turks possess Man , almost incredible capacity-.for .forgiving. , aiHl , - ! oven Jorgcttyig injuries, as well as ifor appreciating sympathy and kindness.

His Majesty said in reply (hat it>\vas not his custom, or, indeed; according ' to!'his I inclination, to address the world ' through. the press. However, knowing mo -poreonall.v, hoi had no'hesitation in that- -ho remembered with pleasure former -, cordial relations with England—and'•<more .particularly a. visit lie himself had once paid to England. 110 lilces Englishmen) 'individually, and lie attaches great'■value.' to tho traditional good relationship which.! 'existed in tho past behven Turkey'land ■England. 110 is sincerely desirous ,of a ■ '•contiuuancc, and even an--increase.'in t-ha' old bonds of friendship'-bctAvecp England and Turkey. Ho would ever do-all in "(his ! power to-foster them. Those sentiments, lassured his Majesty, I would make known, laa widely as possible.

Passing on to oilier topics, the Sultan .touched upon an incident in which,..as I clearly gathered, his Majesty felt*, that'there had been some disregard of etiquette, eonjo 'infringeraeut'of. his-Sovereign dignity,, inas. much as it. had been pressed upon his'-por-sonal attention although it was ,a subject of purely internal concern to Tirrlsjy.. This was .the case of Pehim Pjsha, the=chief of : t-lio Constantinople secrcf police, who \v?.b currently .asserted to havo committed':a series of acts of a disreputable nature, including 'blackmail. That, the Sultan Jiijn■self :had no shield a guilty ..man-'is proved by what ho said to me—namely, •that 'lo had ordoreda' Court. ot ; 'Inqiriry to bo held, and if'thcre were guilt'thero should also bo punishment. "It-us nothing more, than my plain .duty to see justice done," the Sultan 6aid Ito nio. As. if >it were-monstrous that- a.'"doubt could exist with regard' to so isoß-evidont a truism. And lio added: '"Even if. I'ifc •were ono of my own sons I would sec-justice -done."

•Tuntieo has been meted out. in tbis-icaso, for Echini I'asha. has bjen ba^ishe^ but •here, ,as in so. many -other cases, ?the- ; :S)iltan has .apparently aUowed'\iustico' to'-Do itom:pored with mercy. TJoHs't-hisfto^bo 1 ; "wandered'at .in a'mpnaich-who yet. l>een..known a dcath-warrantlsioce ho came-.-to.tlio-thronci!