Letter from Constantinople by Dr. J. G. Bliss

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, May 6, 1880

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 19

Letter from Constantinople.

By Dr. J. G. Bliss

The outlook in the Turkish empire at the present time, both politically and socially, is anything but assuring. As to what may be in the near future, statesmen, diplomatists, and philanthropists are alike in doubt,—alike unable to divine. “Ever-increasing chaos” is the verdict of all who carefully study the condition of the country, and observe the events that are transpiring in it. If I mistake not, it is a political axiom that no government whose plans do not compass the good of its people, can long sustain itself. Whoever looks at the bitter misery in every part of this land, and traces it to its legitimate cause; whoever examines the laws which are enacted, regulating customs, commerce, and currency; whoever carefully scans the conduct of the ever-changing ministries, the provincial governors, and even the petty officials, cannot fail to be convinced that the good of the people, as such, seldom enters as a factor into the determinations of this Moslem government. “Whom the gods will destroy they first make mad,” and madness rules the hour in Turkey. It matters little who is elevated to office, be the position high or low, all sooner or later join in the infatuated rush to ruin.

Evidently the darkest hour of night here in Turkey has not yet passed. Many a man’s heart fails him for fear, in view of what may be.

The recent order of the government reducing the value of some four millions of pounds of the old metallic currency to one half, is but one of the measures that is carrying dismay and death to thousands of families all through the provinces. By this single merciless order, the present ministry has destroyed two millions of pounds of property in the hands, not of the rich autocrats of Stamboul, but of the middle and lower classes scattered from the Black Sea to the Persian Gulf. What will be the outcome of the distress and commotion which must follow the carrying out of this order, none can tell. Volcanic forces are evidently gathering. The telegraph already tells of riots and insubordination in many cities and towns of the interior, resulting from efforts on the part of the local authorities to carry out this decision of the Central Government. Many a Moslem, whose patience and patriotism have been strained to the utmost by the oppressions endured by the people, is watching with eager attention the proceedings of the Nihilists in Russia, ready to do a work in Turkey as deadly as the fiercest hatred of the government can inspire.

Foolhardy schemes will no doubt spring to the front in this time of unrest and foreboding. Such schemes may fail, and doubtless will. However this may be, no human power can avert the doom of the Ottoman State. This is becoming more and more evident to all. Since, therefore, it must be conceded that the Ottoman rule, as such, cannot long endure, the question of its dynasties, ministries, and powers of government becomes a minor and secondary question, and the sooner the European powers accept this in its full meaning, the better.—Dr. J. G. Bliss, in Christian Intelligencer.