Harry Stuermer

Two War Years in Constantinople Harry Stuermer

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1917. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VIII Religion and race--The Islam policy of Abdul-Hamid and of the Young Turks--Turanism and Pan-Islamism as political principles--Turanism and the Quadruple Alliance--Greed and race-fanaticism-- Religious traditions and modern reforms--Reform in the law--A modern Sheikh-ul-Islam--Reform and nationalisation--The Armenian and Greek Patriarchates--The failure of Pan-Islamism--The alienation of the Arabs--Djemal Pasha's "hangman's policy" in Syria--Djemal as a "Pro-French"-- Djemal and Enver--Djemal and Germany--His true character---The attempt against the Suez Canal--Djemal's murderous work nears completion-- The great Arabian and Syrian Separatist movement --The defection of the Emir of Mecca and the great Arabian catastrophe. In little-informed circles in Europe people are still under the false impression that the Young Turks of to-day, the intellectual and political leaders of Turkey in this war, are authentic, zealous, and even fanatical Mohammedans, and superficial observers explain all unpleasant occurrences and outbreaks of Young Turkish jingoism on Pan-Islamic grounds, especially as Turkey has not been slow in proclaiming her "Holy War." But this conception is entirely wrong. The artificial character of the "Djihad," which was only set in motion against a portion of the "unbelievers," while the others became more and more the ruling body in Turkey, is the best proof of the untenability of this theory. The truth is that the present political regime is the complete denial of the Pan-Islamic idea and the substitution of the Pan-Turkish idea of race. Abdul-Hamid, that much-maligned and dethroned Sultan, who, however, towers head and shoulders above all the Young Turks put together in practical intelligence and statesmanly skill, and would never have co...