Like most state papers of the Sublime Porte, it is prepared with
consummate skill, and can hardly fail to create a favorable impression
abroad. At home repeated disappointment of high-raised hopes will
repress popular enthusiasm.
The new House of Deputies has organized temporarily by the choice of
Mikhalaki Effendi, a Bulgarian from Philippopolis, to preside. The
president and first and second vice-presidents are to be appointed by
His Imperial Majesty the Sultan, from a list of three candidates for
each office elected by the house. The president of the former house, the
learned Ahmed Vefik Pasha, is not a member of the present house.
[Inclosure in No.
207.—Translation.]
The Sultan’s speech.
I rejoice to open the Parliament and to meet the deputies of the
nation. You are aware that Russia having declared war upon us last
year, our government has been obliged to defend itself and resist
aggression. The war continues to this moment. Four years ago an
insurrection had broken out in Herzegovina and in other localities.
[Page 853] Notwithstanding the
equality which we had decreed should exist between all classes of
our subjects, and the immunities which tended to keep up their
different languages and races, one portion of our subjects had
strayed from their duty into unlawful courses. These misguided men
have not only done harm to their fellow-subjects, but have done
themselves grievous injury. The inhabitants of Moldo-Wallachia
possessed local autonomy which insured their welfare, and they had
no legitimate cause for declaring war to our government. These
facts, unprecedented in history, have intensified the difficulties
of the war, but the country has nevertheless put forth all the
resistance of which it was capable. By the proofs of self-denial
which all classes of Ottomans have given, they have shown their
patriotic spirit. The courage and bravery of our soldiers have
excited universal admiration. I appeal to the patriotism and support
of all my people to defend our sacred rights. One of the most
satisfactory measures taken by our government is the promotion of a
civic guard, which will soon be completed. Our non-Mussulman
subjects have displayed a conscientious desire to share in the
defense of the country. The constitution has completely confirmed
the rights granted to our non-Mussulman subjects; by their perfect
equality in the eyes of the law, they have also acquired the
equality of rights and duties. It was therefore natural that they
should share in the military service, which is the first of duties
and the origin of equality; consequently we cannot sufficiently
appreciate their readiness to accomplish this duty. The government
has decided to enlist the non-Mussulman population in the ranks of
the army.
The only safeguard for the empire is to carry out the constitution in
a complete manner. Our dearest wishes are to see all classes of our
empire enjoy the blessings of complete equality, our country profit
by the progress of modern civilization, the reform of our financial
administration, the execution of all our engagements, the division
of taxes and charges according to the rules of good political
economy, and the collection of the revenues without damaging the
interests of the people, the revision of the judicial system
according to the exigencies of the times, so as to insure the exact
distribution of justice in our tribunals, the reforms of the vakoofs
to facilitate the tenure of landed property, the formation of
communes, which is to be the basis of our administrative system, and
the settlement of their special attributes; finally, the
reorganization of the gendarmerie (police force). Unfortunately the
calamities of war, which have surpassed all limits, have retarded
the accomplishment of our sincerest wishes. An inoffensive numerous
population, women and children, whose life and honor should be
sacred according to the rules of warfare, have been exposed to
barbarous and cruel atrocities, which, however, conscience reproves.
I still hope that nothing will prevent the progress of justice in
the future. The municipal law proposed last year for the capital and
the provinces, submitted to the Parliament and embodied in a code of
laws, and the internal regulation of the senate and the chambers,
both approved, have been carried out. Other regulations prepared by
the council of state will be this year also submitted to your
attention. There are some amongst them of great importance, such as
those concerning the civil procedure, the general election, the
duties of members and council of ministers, the high court of
justice, the cour des comptes. You will also
have especially to discuss these proposals, to resolve on certain
questions relating to the laws of the provinces, the public press,
the taxes, and to the state of siege, which have been discussed in
the last session. I call your special attention to the budget
regulations for the next year. We have not omitted to make internal
reforms, although the government was engaged in a great war. I may
give this as an evident proof of our desire to stimulate the
progress of the country. Gentlemen, deputies, it is by perfect
liberty of discussion that the truth can be elicited in questions of
political and civil rights, and the public interests secured. This
liberty has been ordained by the constitution. I think it is useless
to give you further injunctions on this subject. Our relations with
friendly powers are of the most cordial kind. May the Most High
bless our common efforts.