Political Situation in Turkey

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 20, 1913

Political Situation in Turkey

ONE of our missionaries in Turkey, in reporting the situation there, writes as follows:—

“Turkey is a land of Islam, ruled by the khalifates of Mohammed. In such a land, governed by the law of Islamic faith, only Mohammedans can live without trouble, because they are the only lawful citizens. Other nationalities have been tolerated only on condition that they accommodate their conversation so as not to create trouble in the minds of faithful Moslems. This has been the policy toward non-Moslems since the beginning of the government. It is impossible for them to have a voice in governmental affairs. Their testimony in the courts is not accepted, since they are regarded as Kafirs (blasphemers).

“They could not appear in the streets dressed neatly, nor walk in an erect position before the Moslems. By their dress, by their movements, and by all their manners of living they were made to show that they were a subject people.

“When I was a little boy, my father related to me how one day he was out in the street with a new belt girded around his breast, when, lo, there came a Moslem who hit him with a sharp slap on the face, saying, ‘Kafir, why do you gird yourself with a new girdle?’ and my father ran into the house weeping. I well remember that in the days of my youth non-Moslems always gave way to Moslems when they met each other. Moslems would continue on their way without bending to the right or to the left. Such was the haughty spirit of Islam manifested toward the non-Moslem nations. One Moslem was of much more value than all the non-Moslems in the world taken together. You can well understand that under such a régime there could be no patriotism in the hearts of non-Moslems. They could but regard themselves as humiliated servants without a home, even in their native land. The wars were regarded as holy to the Moslems, therefore non-Moslems could not take part in them. I relate these things to let you know the secret of the political condition of this land.

“The proclamation of the constitution has not at all changed the relation of the Moslems toward the non-Moslems. It says: ‘The religion of the Ottoman government is Islam.’ This means that the Ottoman government will be governed by the principles of the religion of Moslems, and that this religion will be defended by the government. This at once cuts the Moslem element far above all non-Moslem elements.

“According to the constitution, the Young Turks took the reins of the government into their hands, and followed a strict Moslem policy. Non-Moslem elements found themselves sorely deceived, seeing that Turkey is no more a home to them than it was before. Their hearts were not warmed up with patriotism. They saw that they would not be able to enjoy their natural rights under this policy, and began to long for a country for themselves, under their own rule.

“Armenians were taking the first step. Their political societies were creating a warm patriotism in the hearts of this nation, under the garb of rejoicing for the Ottoman constitution. The Committee of Union and Progress of the Young Turk party understood this, and planned the awful massacre of Cilicia. In fact, they had planned it for all Turkey, and all Armenians would have been massacred, but for the intrigue of Sultan Hamid’s reactionary movement. The committee was engaged in war against Abdul Hamid, and the Armenian nation was saved, losing only 30,000 people in Cilicia. This was a heavy blow to the Armenians, from which they will not be able to recover for a long time.

“In order to suppress the Armenian patriotism, the committee let loose upon them the tribes of Kurds, the ancient enemy of the Armenian nation. The committee felt sure that as long as the Kurds were in Armenia, the Armenians would not be able to gain Armenia. By this step they thought they had settled the Armenian question. Indeed, the Armenians lost their political strength, but the Ottoman government lost more, in that the Armenians will never stick to the Turkish soil as their own country. This modern war with the Balkans proves this undeniable fact. Ears are open every day to hear of the downfall of the Ottoman government. Is it not very strange? When I ask the reason for this anxious waiting, they say that they have so long been oppressed under Moslem rule that they desire to see the country in the hands of the foreigners. And what is true of Armenians is true also of other non-Moslem nations. More than that, there are many Turks who were not content with this Pan-Islamic policy, and they are working always for the fall of this Committee of Union and Progress of the Young Turk party. Now they promise more liberties and privileges; but the non-Moslem nations have no confidence as long as this is not a general government, but is Moslem rule according to the constitution. It is true that in the modern war these nations also gave their sons as soldiers, but this was rather by force and not with a willing heart. They fight, but at the same time desire the fall of the government. Think of this! What political strength can you expect in the army under this condition? This is the secret of the weakness of the Ottoman power. If the non-Moslem nations in European Turkey were tied to the central government, it would be impossible for the small governments of the Balkans to fight against Turkey.

“Albania has now proclaimed independence, and if the Pan-Islamic policy, or even the Moslem rule, is continued, the world will soon see the end of this government. The only remedy is in a change of the constitution. Turkey must not be for Turks only, but must belong to all nations who dwell in the country. The religion of the Ottoman government must not be the faith of Islam, but there must be a neutral position, giving an equal place to all and defending all. Would that their eyes were open to see this truth!”