Turkey by Editor | AdventAI

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · May 12, 1909

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 36, No. 19.

Turkey

By Editor

Turkey.— In our last issue we noted the fact that there was a recoil from the action taken by the Sultan, that his effort to overrun the Young Turks resulted in a revolution, that the Sultan was a prisoner in his own palace, and that the Sultan was begging for his throne. The news of the last week shows that his brother who has been kept a prisoner for thirty-six years is made Sultan under the name of Mehemmed V. He seems to be of an altogether different character than the one who has ruled. His whole course thus far is one of democratic simplicity. He moves among the people and is cheered wherever he goes. The Sultan himself has been taken to Salonica and there imprisoned. The last news is that a special council of war will be held over his case and he may after all be beheaded. His wealth, estimated all the way from $25,000,000 to $200,000,000 has been confiscated and all his harem taken away except four wives. These are imprisoned with him. The United States was the first government officially to recognize Mehemmed V. In this President Taft offered his imperial majesty his congratulations. Favorable impression has been made upon other powers, of the new Sultan. When Abdul Hamid left, he passed between troops of soldiers who did not even salute; there was none to do him honor; not a single cheer was raised. The women who were to share his exile went timidly and yet curiously, riding on a train for the first time in their lives.

The Young Turks seem to be, at least at the present time, able to cope with the situation, nor do they wish interference from the outside until it is clearly seen that they are themselves unable to control the people and manage the government. The new Sultan promises to keep the sacred law and is enthusiastically acclaimed by the people of Constantinople. As a result of the reaction on the part of Abdul Hamid, fanatical Moslems have slaughtered hundreds and hundreds of professed Christians. Among them are two American missionaries at Adana, the Rev. Daniel Weiner Rogers and the Rev. Mr. Maurer. How much has been done in this way we will not know for weeks. Disturbances have taken place in the interior and it is not easy to get at the news. Many perhaps who are reported slain have fled to places of safety outside. We still believe that God will overrule so that His message can go throughout all Mohammedan countries and we welcome the restoration of the New Turks to power. It seems as tho every devout soul throughout Christendom and every lover of humanity will also rejoice.