No. 514.
Mr. Maynard to Mr. Evarts.
Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, May 29, 1878.
Received June 22.)
No. 253.]
Sir: I have the honor to announce another
change in the imperial ministry. Yesterday was abolished the office of
prime minister, created three months ago, and held in succession by His
Highness Ahmed Vefik
[Page 885]
Pasha and
His Highness Sadik Pasha (dispatches No. 221, February 5, 1878, and No.
244, April 22, 1878), and the office of Grand Vizier restored and
conferred upon His Highness Mehmet Ruchdi Pasha.
The imperial hatt (decree) usual to such occasions, and in the Turkish
language, has not, so far as I am aware, been translated for
publication. The substance appears in the papers of to-day.
The Grand Vizier is an old man, connected for many years past with public
affairs, and now holds the office for the fifth time (dispatches No. 66,
May 12, 1876, and No. 113, December 27, 1876). Since December 18, 1876,
the date of his last retirement, he has remained withdrawn from official
life until a few weeks ago, when he was recalled by the Sultan to the
ministry, but without a portfolio.
Saturday last, the 25th instant, His Highness Mahmoud Damad Pasha, who
had been in retirement since the 5th of February (see dispatch of that
date), was made minister of war.
Coming after the events of last week, these changes are supposed to
indicate a wish on the part of the Sultan to surround himself with
ministers on whom he can personally rely.
I am, & c.,
[Inclosure in No. 253.]
Abolition of the title of prime minister.—New
arrangements and appointments.
[From the Daily Levant Herald of
May 29,
1878.]
Yesterday evening, while the ministers were holding a special council
at the Sublime Porte, under the presidency of Sadik Pasha, their
deliberations were suddenly interrupted by the arrival of the second
chamberlain of the palace, Osman Bey, who announced to the prime
minister, Sadik Pasha, that he was charged by His Majesty the Sultan
to receive from his excellency the seals of the state.
A few minutes afterward the Sheik-ul-Islam was called to the palace
by the first chamberlain, Kiazim Bey.
The sitting of the ministers had not broken up before a telegram was
received from the palace notifying the elevation of His Highness
Mehemed Rushdi Pasha to the post of Grand Vizier, and ordering the
ordinary ceremonies of installation to be at once proceeded
with.
About half past eight o’clock, accordingly, everything was completed
in the usual manner, the imperial hatt being read by the grand
referendary, Said Pasha. It was very short; the substance being that
Sadik Pasha was to resign his functions as prime minister, to give
place to Mehemed Rushdi Pasha as Grand Vizier; that the latter was
eminently capable of maintaining tranquillity in the state, and to
inspire general confidence, while, at the same time, observing
absolute respect for the sacred rights of the sovereign, as
established by Ottoman law (Kanoun), the office of prime minister
being-abolished and that of Grand Vizier restored as heretofore.
His Majesty terminates by expressing a hope that union and concord
may prevail, so that the clauses of the constitution may be fully
executed and the progress and prosperity of the country be thus
assured.
