It is impossible to be certain about rumours as to
the health of the Sultan, but everything seems to point to a serious illness. The Selamlik was not held owing to his indis- position, a celebrated German surgeon was summoned by telegraph, and it is said that a serious operation either has been or is to be performed. In the Times of Monday a long letter addressed to Sir Edward Grey was published from Prince Sabah-ed-Din, the Sultan's nephew, who voluntarily went into exile six years ago. He claims to speak on behalf of the Turkish Liberals, and maintains that Pan-Islamism is not a mere outcome of fanaticism; but the serious expression of discontent felt by the East against the West. The present Sultan has endeavoured to give a theocratic character to his Government and acquire for it a religious sanction in order to buttress his policy of reaction by securing the support of the backward and fanatical sections of his subjects. But it is hatred of Liberalism, and not Pan-Islamism, which dictates his policy. The writer thinks that Liberalism is spreading fast. It has already won the intellectual classes, and now bids fair to secure the agricultural population. The oligarchy are unpopular and entrusted, and in time a secular and constitutional Government
must be evolved. The letter is interesting as containing the statement of a creed which we are not accustomed to think of as existing at all in the Turkish nation.
