A year ago, when I was at Jeddah, this was not yet
the case, but it would seem to be so now. Then even the people of his
own party spoke of him doubtfully, and he certainly excited no
enthusiasm among them. They did not understand him, and thought that he
was playing a part. He was said to be of Armenian parentage (on his
mother's side) and his sincerity as a Moslem was suspected. It seemed
impossible one born in Abd el Mejid's Seraglio should be a serious man.
Besides, he had not yet shown his strength, and to be strong is to be a
hero everywhere.
But within the last eight months, events have marched rapidly. Abd el
Hamid has played his cards successfully in Greece, in Albania, and with
the Kurds. He has not been afraid of England and has shown a bold front
against infidel reforms. He has had the courage under the eyes of Europe
to arrest their _protege_, Midhat, and to try him for murder. Lastly,
the French have played into his hands in Tunis, and he has thus gained a
footing of sympathy with the Mussulmans of North Africa, a population
which has for centuries opposed his claims. Twenty years ago it would
have been absolutely impossible for an Ottoman Sultan to awaken any
loyal feeling in any Arab breast.
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