The life of Midhat Pasha 1

The life of Midhat Pasha 1

The life of Midhat Pasha; a record of his services, political reforms, banishment, and judicial murder (1903)

 

Author: Ali Haydar Midhat

 

PREFACE

 

 

As the Son of Midhat Pasha I was for fifteen years compelled to reside

as an exile in Smyrna, but finding the physical and moral sufferings to

which I was there subjected greater than I could endure, I succeeded

in quitting the territories of the Sultan, and came to take up my

residence in this hospitable land, and among this great and free people.

 

In the following pages I have endeavoured to carry out a duty which has

long been incumbent on me, by letting the public, and especially the

English public, know the true story of my father’s career, and of his

death.

 

The record is based mainly on documents and notes left by him. In

obedience to requests from high quarters I abstain from publishing

certain documents and correspondence which, bearing as they do on

International affairs, might be calculated to cause embarrassment and

do harm.

 

It is possible that some of my father’s papers which I have now

printed, and which were written in Turkish, may have lost some of their

original brightness in the process of translation, but at least, most

scrupulous care has been taken to give the sense of them accurately.

 

There can be no doubt that at the present time Turkey is suffering

from a Reign of Terror, and is in a state of anarchy. I hope that the

narrative contained in these pages may afford some evidence of the

methods by which this condition of affairs has been produced.

 

My readers will learn how the Sovereign of the Ottoman Empire, in order

to carry out his own system of Government, has suppressed every effort

for reform, and has removed those men, who by their force of character,

by their uprightness, and by their popularity, seemed capable of

thwarting his designs, and amending the condition of the country and of

the people.

 

I wish to state here that I have a profound respect for the Imperial

Throne, and it is this consideration alone, I repeat it, and the honour

of my country, which makes me regard it as a duty to humanity to expose

the nefarious system of Sultan Abdul Hamid.

 

In conclusion, I would beg to offer my thanks to the Proprietors of the

_Times_ newspaper for giving me permission to reprint the excellent

report of my father’s trial which appeared in their columns.

 

 

ALI HAYDAR MIDHAT.

 

EASTBOURNE, _August 6, 1903_.

 

 

 

 

CONTENTS

 

 

CHAPTER I

 

EARLY HISTORY OF THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE

 

Page

 

Christians in Turkey—Turkish treatment of Subject

Races—Corruptions of the Ottoman System—Persistent policy of

Russia—Panslavic Committees—The Palace and the Porte—Growth

of Autocracy—The Janissaries—Revolt of Mehemet Ali—Reforms

of Abdul Medjid—The Czar Nicholas—Origins of the Crimean

War—The Crimean War—Attitude of France—Attitude of Austria 1–31

 

 

CHAPTER II

 

MIDHAT’S EARLY YEARS

 

Midhat in the Balkan Provinces—Governorship of Nish,

etc.—Widdin and Silistria—Midhat’s Success in Danube

Provinces—Intrigues of General Ignatieff—Insurrection

stirred up—Organisation of local Militia—Appointed Vali

of Bagdad—Fighting and Reforms—Finance and Engineering

Work—Bussora—Koweit, the Nedjed—The Conquest of

Nedjed—Defeat of Abdul Kerim—Aali Pasha—Extravagance of

Abdul Aziz—Midhat as Grand Vizier 32–66

 

 

CHAPTER III

 

DEPOSITION AND DEATH OF ABDUL AZIZ

 

Troubles in Herzegovina—Riots at Salonica—Outbreak

in Bulgaria—Meeting at Reichstadt—The Andrassy

Memorandum—The Sultan opposes Reform—Deposition of Abdul

Aziz—Preparations for the _Coup d’État_—Sultan Murad—Death

of Abdul Aziz—Breakdown of Sultan Murad—Damad Mahmoud’s

Conspiracy—Prince Hamid—Deposition of Murad 67–99

 

 

CHAPTER IV

 

ABDUL HAMID SULTAN

 

Abdul Hamid II.—The Imperial Household—The Speech from the

Throne—Nominal Reforms—Midhat’s Difficulties—Nominal and

Real Reforms—The New Constitution—Sovereign Rights 100–115

 

 

CHAPTER V

 

SECOND GRAND VIZIERATE OF MIDHAT PASHA

 

Opposition Intrigues—“Midhat’s Constitution”—Intrigues

against Midhat—Zia Bey—The Press—Promulgation of the

Constitution—Rescript of Abdul Hamid—Favourable Reception of

the Constitution 116–131

 

 

CHAPTER VI

 

THE CONFERENCE AND MIDHAT’S EXILE

 

Conference at Constantinople—General Ignatieff’s Conduct—The

New Constitution and the Powers—Galib Pasha and the

Finances—Mixed Schools—Protest of Midhat—Midhat Exiled—The

Sultan’s Precautions—Prince Gortchakoff and General

Ignatieff—Russian Declaration—Prince Gortchakoff’s Circular 132–154

 

 

CHAPTER VII

 

MIDHAT PASHA IN EUROPE

 

The Sultan’s Speech—Russia Declares War—Midhat in

Naples—Midhat’s Efforts for Peace—Midhat’s Recall by the

Sultan—Midhat and Kiamil Bey 155–171

 

 

CHAPTER VIII

 

THE RETURN OF MIDHAT PASHA TO TURKEY

 

Midhat in Crete—Appointed Governor of Syria 172–175

 

 

CHAPTER IX

 

MIDHAT PASHA, GOVERNOR‐GENERAL OF SYRIA

 

The Sultan Opposes Reforms—Cause of Midhat’s

Resignation—Condition of Syria—The Druses and the Arabs—The

Turbulent Druses—Troops to be sent—The Druses—Resignation

of Midhat—The Palace and Judicial Reforms—Midhat and Syria 176–195

 

 

CHAPTER X

 

MIDHAT, GOVERNOR‐GENERAL OF SMYRNA

 

Abdul Aziz’ Death—The _Terdjumani Hakikat_—Attack on

Midhat—Attitude of the French Consul—Midhat’s Arrest 196–206

 

 

CHAPTER XI

 

THE TRIAL OF MIDHAT PASHA

 

Mustapha the Wrestler—The Case for the Defence—Midhat’s

Defence—A Parody of Justice—The Public Prosecutor—Before

the Court of Appeal—Grand Council—The British

Parliament—Questions in Parliament—Mr M’Coan—Mr

Gladstone—Lord Stratheden and Campbell—England’s

Intervention 207–233

 

 

CHAPTER XII

 

EXILE OF MIDHAT PASHA

 

Midhat in Prison—Attempt to Poison Midhat—Arrest of Shereef

Abdul Mutalib—Haïroullah Effendi 234–241

 

 

CHAPTER XIII

 

DETAILS OF THE ASSASSINATION OF MIDHAT PASHA, ACCORDING

TO INFORMATION DERIVED FROM HAÏROULLAH EFFENDI