MIDHAT PASHA, GOVERNOR‐GENERAL OF SYRIA
The arrival of Midhat Pasha in Syria was greeted by the population
with as much enthusiasm and sympathy as in Crete. Compelled to
accept this new position, Midhat, without losing hope of obtaining
better results, and without taking into consideration that this
post of Governor‐Generalship was a distinct loss of position after
the high posts which he had occupied, began at once to study the
general situation of the country, and the improvement which it would
be possible to introduce there, as he had already done in the other
vilayets. He introduced the most urgent reforms in the administration,
which he discovered to be in a state of complete anarchy. He founded a
School of Arts and Crafts, and an Orphanage, he increased the public
safety, constructed high‐roads, which diminished the long distances
that separated the capital of the vilayet from the outlying districts,
and contributed to the construction of a line of tramways which
connected the town of Tripoli, in Syria, to the port of Mina.
However, the population of Syria, composed as it is of people
of diverse races and religions, who are always at enmity with
each other, had preserved their ancient manners and customs. The
overwhelmingly difficult task of creating a complete union between all
these jarring elements, and of strengthening the Ottoman Supremacy
in the country—where the minds of the populace were excited by
foreign influences—consisted at first in the re‐organisation of the
administration, in Judicial and Financial Reforms, and, finally, in
insisting upon the absolute integrity of the officials.
Meanwhile, the Sultan Abdul Hamid allowed his original bitterness
against Midhat Pasha to increase, and although addressing the most
flattering words to him, he refused to sanction every single scheme of
reform brought forward by him. The more the people showed their very
great sympathy towards the Governor‐General, so much the more furious
was the Sultan at his growing popularity. In order to prevent Midhat
from gaining the friendship of the people by introducing the required
improvements, Abdul Hamid took care to appoint as officials in Syria
those men who would be capable of opposing his projects on every side.
Such was the hostile conduct of the Marshal Ahmed Eyoub Pasha, who was
in command of the Fifth Army Corps, and also of General Djémil Pasha.
The absence of harmony which existed between the officials of the
province, and the Sultan’s delay in sanctioning his schemes, finally
obliged Midhat to tender his resignation in the following telegrams, to
which the Sultan replied in the most hypocritical language.
_To Ali Fuad Bey, H.M. First Secretary._
“Worn out, physically and mentally, by a service to the State which
extends over nearly forty years, and taking into consideration my
old age, which renders me incapable of serving any longer, I beg
His Majesty, as a favour, graciously to accept my resignation of
the Governorship of Syria, and to allow me to return, as soon as
possible, to my house at Constantinople, or to Metelin, or else to
some habitable district of the Syrian coast, where I may settle down
with my family and spend my remaining years.—I am, etc.,
“(Signed) MIDHAT.
“_7th October 1295, O.S._”
(_19th October 1879._)
_To the Grand Vizier, Saïd Pasha._[22]
“Having reached a condition, when mentally and physically I can
render no further services to the State, I had some weeks ago
prepared my resignation and was going to send it in, for urgent
reasons, when your nomination to the Grand‐Vizierat retarded my
action. But the appointment of Mahmoud Nedim Pasha[23] to the
Ministry of the Interior has decided me to present it at the Palace.
I inform you of this in advance, so that my resignation, following
on your appointment as Prime Minister, may not be misinterpreted. I
beg you will support my petition, and be my intermediary in helping
me to get permission to end my days in some suitable place, with my
family.—I am, etc.,
“(Signed) MIDHAT.”
_Reply from H.M. First Secretary._
“YOUR HIGHNESS,—His Majesty has taken note of Your Highness’
resignation of the Governorship of Syria.
“The success which has attended Your Highness in the vilayet of Syria
has been reported to His Majesty by Sir Henry Layard, who has just
returned from his travels in Syria. His Majesty was on the point of
sending you his congratulations, and of asking you what measures
should be taken for the application of those reforms in which you
encounter some obstacles. The arrival of your resignation has caused
regret to His Majesty. You declare that the principal reason of
your resignation is your advanced age, but as Your Highness is well
aware, the longer an official has served, so much the greater will
be his experience and his competency. Now, just at the moment when
the State is on the point of reaping the fruits of Your Highness’
long experience and high efficiency, your decision to withdraw from
public affairs cannot agree with the sentiments of your well‐known
patriotism, and His Majesty would not, at present, be able to
reconcile himself to placing on the unattached list, a servant as
capable and experienced as Your Highness. Consequently, the reasons
of your resignation are not admissible. His Majesty orders me to beg
that you will address yourself directly to the Palace, if you have
complaints to formulate.—I am, etc.,
“(Signed) ALI FUAD.
“_10th October 1295, O.S._”
(_22nd October, 1879._)
_Reply._
_To Ali Fuad Bey, H.M. First Secretary._
“EXCELLENCY,—I have received the cipher telegram of the 10th
October, 1295, and I humbly thank His Majesty for the questions
which he has deigned to address to me; my request is occasioned by
the weakness of my body and by the responsibility imposed upon me
by the state of the vilayet. All the services of the vilayet are in
disorder; the localities, as well as the population on the coast, are
almost entirely under foreign influences, and the interior of the
country, ever since the war, has been undermined by insurrections,
which paralyse all the efforts of the State to bear on the abolition
of the dissensions and revolts, in order to secure to the population
a measure of repose and justice under the ægis of the State, by
taking into consideration the exigencies of the localities and the
requirements of the inhabitants. While this state of affairs exists,
the enforced application in this vilayet of such reforms as those
imposed in the vilayets of Konia and of Angora has only succeeded
in alienating still further the population from the Government, and
caused it to sympathise still more strongly with the foreigners.
Moreover, even the power to assure the security of the Province is
in the hands of the Military Administration, yet the responsibility
thereof has been assumed by the Vali, which is not in the least in
agreement with any known rule, and the disputes which may arise
from this system can only add to the other mismanagements, and as
the vilayet cannot go on for more than six months or a year in this
manner, I find myself obliged to resign my functions. I am proud of
sacrificing my life for His Majesty, in any service or in any country
whatsoever. There exists only one means to effect the improvement of
the state of the Province, and that is the appointment of a capable
and honest Vali, to whom would be accorded full power to apply all
the administrative and financial reforms, as well as the works of
public utility according to the exigencies of the locality and of the
populace, and according to what was done in the vilayet of Bagdad,
the military force must be placed in the hands of the Vali in order
to concentrate all the converging powers to this sole aim. I only
venture to make these proposals on the strength of the invitation
given me by the Imperial command.—I am, etc.,
“(Signed) MIDHAT.
“_11th October 1295, O.S._”
(_23rd October 1879._)
_Telegram in reply, from H.M. First Secretary._
“YOUR HIGHNESS,—Your reply telegram, which has only just arrived,
has been submitted to His Majesty, who was much gratified to hear
that you declare yourself proud to be able to sacrifice your life
in His Majesty’s service. I have been ordered to communicate the
imperial compliments to you, and to inform you that in two or three
days someone from the Palace will start for Syria, charged to furnish
you with the instructions and Irades relating to the contents of Your
Highness’ telegram.—I am, etc.,
“(Signed) ALI FUAD.
“_12th October 1295, O.S._”
(_24th October 1879._)
Thus it is seen that Abdul Hamid refused to accept the resignation of
Midhat Pasha, but Midhat gave him the choice between his resignation
and the desired reforms, and sent the Grand Vizier long schemes for the
general re‐organisation of the province.
_To the Grand Vizier, Saïd Pasha._
“YOUR HIGHNESS,—Exhausted after a continuous service of the State
of nearly forty years, and further weakened by my age which is
nearly sixty, my sole desire, prior to my return from Europe, was
to withdraw myself from all public affairs. The permission, which
I obtained from His Majesty, to live in the island of Crete with
my family, was the favour which I most desired. But His Majesty,
recollecting my former services and deigning to believe that I should
be able once more to devote myself to the work, was graciously
pleased to appoint me to the Governorship of Syria. Although worn out
both mentally and physically, I could but bow in gratitude before the
imperial will, and trusting in Divine support I took up my duties.
“Thirty years ago I had already filled the office of Secretary in
this vilayet, and twenty‐seven years ago I had been there on a
temporary mission. Thus I had a certain knowledge of the manners
of the inhabitants. Judge therefore what was my surprise, on my
return there, to discover a complete change in the Administrative
and Political Government of this province. As France was protecting
the Lebanese, England found herself obliged to protect the Druses;
the Americans were founding schools etc., in the Djebel Noussairi,
in order to create there a sphere of influence for themselves.
Whilst the Germans, under the name of _Colonies_, were peopling
Palestine with German emigrants, the Spaniards, who cherished
analogous schemes, had constructed a school and a church at Jaffa,
in order that they might have their share. All these influences
produced the very worst effect on the country, for one party of the
Christians cherish a dream of union with Lebanon, whilst another
party are seeking foreign protection, and meanwhile the Mussulmans
can only marvel at the disorder. Now, although it is incumbent upon
the State to reassure public opinion and to put an end to all these
exterior influences, yet, on account of the exigencies of the war,
the only orders sent from the Central Authority consist of demands
for money, and for men for the Army. This state of things has opened
the door to every abuse under the sun, and both law and order have
been completely neglected. The officials of every rank, with some
few exceptions, only seek their own personal interests, and the
result of this, on the manners of the inhabitants, is so disastrous,
that murders and robbery are the order of the day, and there is no
security to property. To go no further than Tripoli, in Syria, during
the last four years I myself have seen no fewer than ninety cases
of murder, theft and pillage in the districts of Akiar and Safna
alone; and not one single case has ever been brought to judgment.
The thieves and brigands remain unpunished or are released, whilst
innocent people are detained, without being previously tried, and
are subjected to penalties varying from eight to ten years. I have
myself, this time, liberated several prisoners of this category,
and I abstain from mentioning the administration of the districts
dependent on the Kaimakam of Dehle.
“As to the financial state of the province, it is most deplorable,
and, as I have already had the honour of showing you, in a previous
letter, the public revenues are reduced to one half; the country has
been ruined by the tithes, and the depredations of the Army have
desolated that which remained. The disastrous effect of the paper
money having been to reduce the revenues by one half, one is appalled
at the acknowledged deficit. This enumeration is a faithful _résumé_
of the state of the vilayet, a state of which foreigners are the
first to complain, whilst at the same time, they are just those who
have the greatest political profits to gain from the continuance
of these disorders. It is quite certain, that if this condition of
affairs is not brought to an end, the Great Powers will place the
administration of the vilayet of Anatolia in the hands of foreign
officials, under the pretext of the introduction of reforms. And,
as the schemes of foreigners for Syria are well‐known, to accept
their conditions, based upon the maladministration denounced by the
European newspapers, would only increase public opinion in their
favour, and cause their pretensions to be sustained by the Cabinets
of Europe.
“Ever since my arrival, I have done all in my power to bring some
order into the affairs of the vilayet and to avoid the dangers I
have detailed above. With your support, the question of the central
district might be arranged, but the improvement of the province
is not even then accomplished. There still remains the great
difficulty of establishing the financial condition of the vilayet on
an equitable base, of improving the Tribunals, and, above all, of
putting an end to the extortions of the officials, who, in addition
to the loss they occasion to the Treasury, do still more to discredit
the Government in the eyes of both the natives and of the foreigners.
In a word, it would be necessary, at all costs, to reassure public
opinion by the application of existing laws.
“The actual state of things having reached this point, the laws,
which are at present being deliberated upon in the Council of
Ministers, should be elaborated and applied in all the provinces of
the Empire, taking into consideration the manners and customs of each
province.
“It would be a complete mistake to believe that this state of things
can continue, and it is quite insupportable to me to know the remedy
for the evil and yet not to be able to apply it, and above all to
acquiesce wittingly in the harm caused by the present administration.
“I feel myself obliged once more to submit the above observations to
Your Highness.—I am, etc.,
“MIDHAT.
“_17th March 1295, O.S._”
(_29th March 1879._)
Abdul Hamid, however, although he promised Midhat to apply these
measures of amelioration, which he considered indispensable, refrained
from giving his sanction to them, and the troubles which broke out, in
the middle of all this, between the Druses and the Arabs of Hauran,
obliged Midhat to keep his office in order to prevent the conflict from
taking a turn which might have led to foreign intervention. The causes
of these troubles and the attitude of the Palace and of the Government
are shown in the following correspondence with Midhat Pasha.
_Telegram sent to the Grand Vizier, by Midhat Pasha._
“YOUR HIGHNESS,—It is necessary to give Your Highness details of
the affair of Hauran, for which you ask in your telegram of the 3rd
October. The Djébéli Druse (Druse Mountain) and the valley of Ledja
are inhabited entirely by the Druses. Since the events in Egypt
these people have completely lost all respect for the Government,
to which they no longer furnish any troops, or taxes, but all the
crimes and misdeeds committed in the neighbourhood arise from their
insubordination and opposition to authority. Last year they captured
the English post, and those people who attacked the caravan at
Iki‐kapoulu this year, and killed two men, are also Druses. Some
of the stolen cattle have been found at Djébéli Druse, but it has
been impossible to punish the authors of the crime. This district
being exempt from all taxation, it has become the haunt of brigands,
and of all those who wish to live as such; those who have committed
a crime, deserters, or good‐for‐nothing Druses from Lebanon, all
have sought refuge here for the last five or six years, until the
mountain is crowded with them. It is they who attacked Hauran, put
the inhabitants to flight, and up to the present moment they have
conquered seventeen villages. They provoke quarrels and massacres
for the most trivial causes, in order that they may be able to lay
hands on other villages in succession. The Arabs of Hauran, having
now adopted the Druse tactics, had entered into alliance, at the
beginning of the present occurrence, with the inhabitants of Adjloun,
of Kounitara, as well as with other Arab tribes, and were prepared
to march against the Druses. The officials who were sent to the
place were able to prevail upon the Hauranians, by their counsels,
to abandon their plans and to obey the orders of the Government,
but they insisted on those Druses who had been guilty of acts of
brigandage being brought to justice and punished. The Druses,
meanwhile, will listen to no representations, and remain with a
force of several thousand armed men, in the face of the Hauranians.
Although we learn that the Commandant of the troops which were sent,
has been in communication with the Druses, in order to bring them
back under control, we are not sufficiently well acquainted with the
result, and for further details you should apply to the Marshal Ahmed
Eyoub Pasha.—I am, etc.,
“MIDHAT.
“_6th October 1295, O.S._”
(_18th October 1879_).
_Cipher Telegram from the Grand Vizier to Midhat Pasha._
“YOUR HIGHNESS,—The English Ambassador has just been to see us,
on account of the events which are taking place among the Druses,
which he deeply regrets, and he has made the same communications to
the Minister for Foreign Affairs. It is of course a well‐known fact
that England offers a moral protection to the Druses, whilst France
does the same to the Maronites. Whilst the English, on one hand, are
scarcely pleased with the measures which have been adopted against
the Druses, yet on the other side there are the representations made
to Your Highness by the British Consul, to the effect that France
would have to bring a formal complaint if the increasing looting
by the Druses continues, as it is very hard on the Maronites. In
short, although the Druses are behaving abominably, it is not in
keeping with the justice of the State to leave them unpunished, and
yet, although their system of brigandage dates from time immemorial,
an opportune moment in which to teach them a lesson has never been
found. Supposing that the troops sent to safeguard the security of
the Empire were sufficient to end the whole affair, it is certain
that the continuation of the conflict between the Druses and
Hauranians could have no good result to the Empire. Consequently the
best means, in our opinion, by which to put an end to this affair,
consist in postponing the subjection of the Druses until the period
of the complete re‐organisation of the vilayet, and we must resign
ourselves to acting solely as arbitrators between the Druses and
Hauranians, to bring about an amicable arrangement. Your Highness
tells us that the Hauranians would refuse to accept the indemnity
that the Druses offer them. This may at first sight seem a difficulty
in the way of mediation by the Government, yet it is necessary to
induce the Hauranians to accept this indemnity, in order to prevent
the shedding of blood, and to avoid the multiplication of vexatious
incidents which might bring on political complications.
“If by chance the above arrangement cannot be brought about, Your
Highness is then authorised to suggest to the Hauranians the total
payment of the indemnity demanded by the State, informing the
public that it is among the pacific intentions of the Government to
have recourse to this solution of the matter, in the sole aim of
abolishing the enmity which exists between its two subject races.
“Necessary instructions as to the departure of the required troops
have been given to the War Office. I think it is my duty to add, that
in case the affair cannot be amicably arranged, it would be well to
have recourse to the influence of the leading men on either side,
this being a method, the efficacy of which has been already proved,
and if it were necessary Your Highness might go in person to the
scene of conflict.
“In short, we beg that Your Highness will employ every means for
conciliation, and we anxiously await the news of the closure of this
incident, without having to seek the intervention of coercion.—I am,
etc.,
“SÄÏD,
“_Grand Vizier_.”
“_13th October 1295, O.S._”
(_25th October 1879_).
_Reply from Midhat Pasha to the Telegram from the Grand Vizier._
“YOUR HIGHNESS,—In reply to your telegram of 13th October, it has
been shown in my previous communications that the incident of Hauran
was caused by a quarrel between the inhabitants of two villages, on
account of a girl, and this quarrel spread until it attained its
present serious proportions. Since it is quite impossible to remain
a passive spectator in face of a force of between three and four
thousand individuals, all armed and ready to kill each other, we
first of all sent officials, then gendarmes, and finally regular
troops, in order to prevent a collision between the two parties, and
we ended by calling in the Sheiks—proposing that they should come
to some amicable arrangement. The Hauranians thereupon insisted that
those Druses who were guilty of having killed some of their tribe
unjustly should be brought up to justice, or else, since they are the
more numerous, that the State should permit them to march against the
Druses. On the other hand the Druses declare that it is contrary to
their customs to be given up to justice, and fearing lest they may
thereby create a precedent, they refuse to surrender the culprits;
at the same time they have taken up their position in front of the
troops, and cut off the water‐supply that was used by the Army. They
are thus prepared to offer a strong resistance, and at the same time
are pillaging the villages which are inhabited by both Mussulmans and
Christians. Yesterday they devastated four villages, killed two of
the inhabitants, and after having wounded several others, they slew
four more whom they met on the road. We have sent many special envoys
to them, trying to impress upon them the necessity of surrendering
at any rate some of the twenty‐five criminals to the Government, and
they have at last consented to pay an indemnity, which was intended
to go to the families of those men who had been assassinated. The
Hauranians, however, will not hear of any such solution. One thing
is certain: it is quite impossible for us, after what has already
occurred, to leave the Hauranians at the mercy of the Druses, without
running the risk of creating very grave political and administrative
dangers. Consequently, if Your Highness can succeed in finding any
other method than that of the employment of an armed force, we shall
do all in our power to execute it successfully.—I am, etc.,
“MIDHAT.
“_14th October 1295, O.S._”
(_26th October 1876._)
_Telegram from the Grand Vizier to Midhat Pasha._
“YOUR HIGHNESS,—Since your advice coincides with ours that the
Druse question should be amicably settled, it is necessary to take
immediate steps towards obtaining a good result and preventing any
recurrence of these incidents, and this without having recourse
to military assistance. It would be very helpful to have the
co‐operation of those who by their influence would be able to quiet
down the minds of the people. Your Highness’ presence in these
districts would create a good impression. We therefore beg that Your
Highness will let us hear of your departure and of the means you
intend to adopt. From the telegram from the Marshal to the Minister
of War, it appears that the Druses have fired on the gendarmes whom
General Djémil Pasha had sent to that district in order to try and
re‐establish peace, and that on a Captain being killed, the gendarmes
retaliated, and that a battle took place. As this is not at all
expedient, Your Highness is particularly requested to put an end to
all reprisals.
“The Minister for War has stated that two battalions of regular
troops, and three battalions of reserve (with munitions of war) are
just starting for Beyrout, on the steamer _Mevridi‐Nousret_.—I am,
etc.,
“SAÏD,
“_Grand Vizier_.”
“_16th October 1295, O.S._”
(_28th October 1879._)
_Reply to the Grand Vizier from Midhat Pasha._
YOUR HIGHNESS,—The troops were not sent to Hauran with the
intention of fighting with the Druses, but, as my last telegram
explained, more than four thousand men, from one part and another,
had armed themselves and were prepared to attack, and as, under these
circumstances, the Government was obliged to interfere, it was simply
to prevent bloodshed and to procure justice for those who had been
injured. Your Highness is not unaware that those officials, who were
punished in 1276 (1860), owed their disgrace to having failed to
execute their duty conscientiously.
“Although the re‐establishment of order at Djébéli‐Druse might be
obtained as the natural result of our action, yet for the moment,
this would be of only a secondary interest; and since Your Highness
recommends us not to force it to this point, it may be possibly
obtained in the future.
“It is as Your Highness remarks: the Druses having always lived in a
state of brigandage, have been treated differently from others, and,
until now, I have tried to manage them with due recognition of this
fact. Some of the Druse Chieftains who were at Damascus have been
sent to the disturbed districts on a mission of peace. But they only
joined the others, and have committed criminal acts. Without taking
into consideration the treachery of these men, our one aim has been
always to find some means of ending this conflict without calling in
the aid of the Military, and we were awaiting the reception of the
Druse Chieftains from Mount Lebanon, who, through the negotiations
of Rustem Pasha, had offered themselves as mediators between the
belligerents. But yesterday, at a distance of only three‐quarters of
an hour from the camp of the Imperial Army, the inhabitants of Hauran
began once more to fight with those of Ledja. As soon as this news
reached the camp, a company of gendarmes and two companies of regular
troops were sent to the spot to try and separate them. But the Druses
immediately fired upon the Imperial troops, killing two gendarmes
and wounding an officer. On that, General Djémil Pasha joining them,
with two companies of regular troops, the Druses killed a captain
and fifteen soldiers, and the battle lasted until midnight. From a
telegram that the Marshal Ahmed Eyoub Pasha received this morning,
it appears that Djémil Pasha has returned to the camp, with all his
troops.
“After this incident the Marshal Ahmed Eyoub Pasha gave the
necessary orders to concentrate the remaining military troops. Holo
Pasha will be sent, with a member of the Administrative Council of
the vilayet, to try and persuade the belligerents to lay down their
arms. But to bring this business to an end, with moderation, one will
be obliged to drive the Druses from their positions in Hauran. The
arrival of the promised troops is quite indispensable.—I am, etc.,
“MIDHAT.
“_17th October 1295, O.S._”
(_29th October 1879._)
_The Grand Vizier to Midhat Pasha._
“YOUR HIGHNESS,—The report of the Minister for War, and the
telegrams which have been exchanged relating to the question of the
Hauran Druses, have been read at the Council of Ministers. After some
deliberation it has been decided to settle this question in a pacific
manner, and to invite Your Highness to go in person to the affected
districts, to hasten the departure of the troops which have been
demanded, and that the Minister for War should give Marshal Ahmed
Eyoub Pasha the necessary orders, so that he may be in agreement with
the ideas of Your Highness. The importance of the Question and the
wishes of the Sublime Porte being settled by the correspondence which
has passed up to the present, Your Highness is requested to go to the
camp and to bring this matter to a peaceful close.—I am, etc.,
“SAÏD,
“_Grand Vizier_.”
“_22nd October 1295, O.S._”
(_4th November 1879._)
_Reply from Midhat Pasha to the Telegram from the Grand Vizier._
“YOUR HIGHNESS,—Since the Druse Question must, in conformity with
His Majesty’s orders, be brought to a pacific termination, may I beg
that you will leave to me the choice of means to be employed, and
wait patiently for a few days longer. You may have every reliance
that the matter will be ended without having recourse to arms, and in
a manner worthy of the prestige of the State and of the Army.—I am,
etc.,
“MIDHAT.
“_23rd October 1295, O.S._”
(_5th November 1879._)
_From Midhat Pasha to H.M. First Secretary._
“YOUR EXCELLENCY,—The Druse Question has at last come to an
end, with the arrival of the Sheiks yesterday at Damascus. They
are anxious to solicit the protection of our august master. The
Government having insisted on the extradition of those individuals
who were implicated in the assassinations of Basr‐el‐Houreiri, the
four men who survived the skirmishes have been accordingly delivered
up to the authorities, and they are now in prison, waiting to be
brought before the tribunals. This fact is full of promise for the
future, for, hitherto, the Druses have never been accustomed to
deliver to the authorities those criminals who have sought refuge in
their midst. I must now devote myself to the consideration of the
future condition of the Druses, which is of great importance.
“As there is now no further need for the battalions of Reserve,
recently sent, they have been sent back, and we have decided, with
the Marshal Ahmed Eyoub Pasha, that the battalions now at Hauran and
at Damascus shall be returned.—I am, etc.,
MIDHAT.
“_29th October 1295, O.S._”
(_11th November 1879._)
Midhat Pasha, who had withdrawn his resignation, with the express
purpose of not leaving the province in a state of turmoil, and in order
to bring the Druse Question to a suitable and lawful termination,
succeeded thus in re‐establishing peace, in a manner that was
honourable to the Government, in spite of the unjustifiable conduct
of the Sublime Porte and of the Palace. But Midhat, perceiving the
impossibility of working satisfactorily with the Government, once more
sent in his resignation, in the following telegrams:—
_Telegram sent to the First Secretary, enclosing the Resignation of
Midhat Pasha._
“With respect to my proffered resignation of October last, His
Majesty condescended to issue an Irade, which made me decide to wait
patiently for some time longer. Now that the question of the Druses,
which was the reason of the refusal of my request, has been settled,
and the conditions of the vilayet are absolutely normal, I humbly beg
that my resignation may be accepted by His Majesty, on account of the
reasons which render my position untenable.—I am, etc.,
“MIDHAT.
“_18th May 1296, O.S._”
(_30th May 1880._)
_H.M. First Secretary to Midhat Pasha._
“YOUR HIGHNESS,—Your telegram, dated 18th May 1296, has been
presented to His Majesty. If there has been any delay as to the
departure of the personage who was charged to communicate the
Imperial instructions to Your Highness, and to receive your exact
replies, it has been occasioned entirely by the difficulty he has
experienced in quitting his post. And it is very difficult to find
any one who possesses the same qualities, to replace him. You must
not attribute the non‐execution of the Imperial promise to any other
cause. In your telegram you say that your resignation arises from
causes which are not unknown to His Majesty. In one of your later
telegrams these causes resolve themselves into two principal ones:
of which the first consists in Your Highness’s advanced age, and the
other in the difficulties you encounter in the Administration of the
Province. The first reason cannot be accounted as valid, by a servant
who is devoted to his country and Sovereign, and whose chief desire
should be never to renounce the honour of serving the State. As to
the extension of power, a special order will soon be published on
the duties of Governor‐Generals, so that this second reason of your
resignation will no longer have any force. His Majesty expresses a
desire to know positively if Your Highness wishes to resign from any
other cause, independent of those already cited.
“ALI FUAD.
“_19th May 1296, O.S._”
(_31st May 1880._)
_Telegram from Midhat Pasha in reply to H.M. First Secretary, Ali Fuad
Bey._
“YOUR EXCELLENCY,—Besides those causes cited in your telegram
replying to my request for permission to retire, I may also mention
the difficulties presented by the application of the new laws,
and the insults to which I am exposed on all sides, on account of
which I find myself obliged once more to entreat His Majesty for
his indulgence. As I said six months ago in one of my letters, I am
firmly resolved to sacrifice my life in the service of His Majesty,
and as my life is nearing its end, the few years that remain are of
but little importance. But there is something that is dearer and
still more sacred than life—that is honour.
“It is quite possible that there may be some reason of which I am
not aware, for the formalities which have occurred, and for the
present situation, but, from my humble point of view, and from my
most inward conviction, everything seems to combine to wound my
honour, as much in what concerns the administration of the vilayet
which has been confided to my care, as in my private capacity. Now,
as it is pardonable that I should desire not to tarnish my honour,
which I have preserved unspotted during a service of more than
forty‐five years, I have decided to protest no longer, but to retire.
I, therefore, take the liberty of once more referring this subject to
our magnanimous sovereign.—I am, etc.,
“MIDHAT.
“_21st May 1296, O.S._”
(_3rd June 1880._)
_To Midhat Pasha, from the First Secretary, Ali Fuad Bey._
[_Confidential._]
“YOUR HIGHNESS’ telegram of 21st May, 1296, has been submitted to
His Majesty. All the world knows how highly His Majesty has always
regarded your honour, and Your Highness, from the Humanitarian
point of view, can only recognize and approve the justice of this
observation. For many years Your Highness has rendered the greatest
services to the State, you occupy the highest rank in the Vizierat,
and are one of the greatest dignitaries and Statesmen of the Empire,
and His Majesty informs you that he will guarantee your honour and
consideration, as well as your reputation.
“If the difficulties, which you declare you have encountered in
the application of the new laws, refer to the judicial laws, that
must arise from the incapacity of the officials in the Judicial
Department. Without criticising the fundamental significance of the
laws, Sir Henry Layard has also represented to His Majesty, in a
report, the difficulty that would be encountered in applying these
laws, for want of competent officials, and, although every one
recognises the necessity of the adoption and promulgation of these
laws and regulations, yet the rumour of Your Highness’ resignation
has immediately given rise to criticisms, which were delivered here
yesterday evening by several personages. As you know, one of the
very first reforms, the execution of which is to be desired, and
even the principal reform to be executed, is the re‐organisation of
the Courts of Justice. But the difficulties involved in carrying
out these reforms place the Government in a very awkward position.
Your Highness is begged to draw up a note stating the changes that
are necessary, in the opinion of Your Highness, who has so great an
experience both in Civil Administration and also in judicial laws,
and to place this note in the hands of a capable official—one who
possesses your full confidence—that it may be presented to His
Majesty. You will also make use of this capable official, possessing
your confidence, in your correspondence with the Palace. As our
principal aim must be always to serve the State and our Sovereign
with all fidelity and devotion, Your Highness is requested not
to pay any attention to tale‐bearing, which is unworthy of any
consideration, and not to allow yourself to be affected by it. His
Majesty appreciates your actions, and sends you his friendliest
Imperial greetings.
“I am, etc.,
“ALI FUAD.
“_23rd May 1296, O.S._”
(_5th June 1880._)
_Midhat Pasha to Ali Fuad Bey._
“The most precious and the most welcome part of your telegram of
23rd May being the expression of the Imperial goodwill towards me,
I must first of all offer you my humble thanks. As to the other
matters, your Excellency is not unaware that not only do I recognise
in principle the necessity and the benefit of the new laws, but I
am, above all, one of the chief advocates of judicial reform. As
was mentioned in the Imperial telegram conferring the Governorship
of Syria upon me, the local manners and customs must be taken into
consideration with regard to the new organisations. But the new
laws, instead of embodying these recommendations, have been drawn
up on exactly the old lines, and when I suggest that with a slight
modification these laws might be ameliorated, my observations are
systematically ignored. This state of things has produced a result
quite the opposite of that intended, and the greater part of the
new laws, as well as the older ones, remain in disuse. The general
situation is therefore most strange and peculiar.
“To this disorder must be added the difference which exists between
the civil and military authorities, which have ended by becoming
hostile to each other. A country such as Syria, which is full of
troubles and intrigues, both internal and external, is in crying
need of a military force, yet every time that we demand an armed
force we meet with a deliberate refusal, or the troops which have
been sent are withdrawn without reason, or else our official
letters remain unanswered. Now, although it is possible that this
results from the inimical system which has been adopted against me
personally, yet, undoubtedly, the Government and the country are
the principal sufferers from it; and when it comes to six months
passing without the governor and the marshal of a vilayet meeting,
one can imagine the state of affairs in the province. Again, the
grant for the gendarmes and the salaries of the officials having
been reduced, these measures have struck a blow at the security of
the country, and have driven the officials to corruption, whilst
the judicial system which has been adopted by the tribunals towards
criminals has weakened public confidence. This state of things being
well known, the orders which arrive daily never fail to put all the
responsibility on the Governor. Now, it is impossible to accept this
situation, nor can I, in a telegram, give an explanation of all
these difficulties, but, in conformity with the Imperial Irade, a
confidential official is on the point of starting, commissioned to
give you the amplest information. I shall strive for patience until
his return.—I am, etc.,
“MIDHAT.
“_25th May 1296, O.S._”
(_7th June 1880_).
Quite apart from all this question, the Sultan Abdul Hamid was far
from being satisfied with Midhat Pasha’s sojourn in Syria. The Syrians,
realising the good that he had done to the country, were loud in their
expressions of gratitude, which gave offence to the Sultan. The cries
of “Long live Midhat Pasha!” in the streets, and the interviews of the
British Ambassador, Sir Henry Layard, with the Governor‐General during
his travels in Syria, all augmented the fears of the Palace. Midhat’s
enemies then put into circulation the rumour that Syria would soon
become an autonomous principality, and that Midhat Pasha would receive
the title of Khedive.
Abdul Hamid then informed Midhat that he declined to accept his
resignation, that he wished to see him continue his services to the
State, and that he appointed him Governor‐General of the vilayet of
Smyrna. The Syrians addressed a petition to the Palace, begging that
Midhat might remain at Damascus, but the Sultan paid absolutely no
attention to this act on the part of the Syrian population, and Midhat
found himself compelled to start off for his new post on board the
Imperial yacht _Izzeddine_, which had been sent for that purpose.