CONTENTS

CHAPTER I

EARLY HISTORY OF THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE

Page

Christians in Turkey—Turkish treatment of Subject Races—Corruptions of the Ottoman System—Persistent policy of Russia—Panslavic Committees—The Palace and the Porte—Growth of Autocracy—The Janissaries—Revolt of Mehemet Ali—Reforms of Abdul Medjid—The Czar Nicholas—Origins of the Crimean War—The Crimean War—Attitude of France—Attitude of Austria1–31

CHAPTER II

MIDHAT’S EARLY YEARS

Midhat in the Balkan Provinces—Governorship of Nish, etc.—Widdin and Silistria—Midhat’s Success in Danube Provinces—Intrigues of General Ignatieff—Insurrection stirred up—Organisation of local Militia—Appointed Vali of Bagdad—Fighting and Reforms—Finance and Engineering Work—Bussora—Koweit, the Nedjed—The Conquest of Nedjed—Defeat of Abdul Kerim—Aali Pasha—Extravagance of Abdul Aziz—Midhat as Grand Vizier32–66

CHAPTER III

DEPOSITION AND DEATH OF ABDUL AZIZ

Troubles in Herzegovina—Riots at Salonica—Outbreak in Bulgaria—Meeting at Reichstadt—The Andrassy Memorandum—The Sultan opposes Reform—Deposition of Abdul Aziz—Preparations for the Coup d’État—Sultan Murad—Death of Abdul Aziz—Breakdown of Sultan Murad—Damad Mahmoud’s Conspiracy—Prince Hamid—Deposition of Murad67–99

CHAPTER IV

ABDUL HAMID SULTAN

Abdul Hamid II.—The Imperial Household—The Speech from the Throne—Nominal Reforms—Midhat’s Difficulties—Nominal and Real Reforms—The New Constitution—Sovereign Rights100–115

CHAPTER V

SECOND GRAND VIZIERATE OF MIDHAT PASHA

Opposition Intrigues—“Midhat’s Constitution”—Intrigues against Midhat—Zia Bey—The Press—Promulgation of the Constitution—Rescript of Abdul Hamid—Favourable Reception of the Constitution116–131

CHAPTER VI

THE CONFERENCE AND MIDHAT’S EXILE

Conference at Constantinople—General Ignatieff’s Conduct—The New Constitution and the Powers—Galib Pasha and the Finances—Mixed Schools—Protest of Midhat—Midhat Exiled—The Sultan’s Precautions—Prince Gortchakoff and General Ignatieff—Russian Declaration—Prince Gortchakoff’s Circular132–154

CHAPTER VII

MIDHAT PASHA IN EUROPE

The Sultan’s Speech—Russia Declares War—Midhat in Naples—Midhat’s Efforts for Peace—Midhat’s Recall by the Sultan—Midhat and Kiamil Bey155–171

CHAPTER VIII

THE RETURN OF MIDHAT PASHA TO TURKEY

Midhat in Crete—Appointed Governor of Syria172–175

CHAPTER IX

MIDHAT PASHA, GOVERNOR‐GENERAL OF SYRIA

The Sultan Opposes Reforms—Cause of Midhat’s Resignation—Condition of Syria—The Druses and the Arabs—The Turbulent Druses—Troops to be sent—The Druses—Resignation of Midhat—The Palace and Judicial Reforms—Midhat and Syria176–195

CHAPTER X

MIDHAT, GOVERNOR‐GENERAL OF SMYRNA

Abdul Aziz’ Death—The Terdjumani Hakikat—Attack on Midhat—Attitude of the French Consul—Midhat’s Arrest196–206

CHAPTER XI

THE TRIAL OF MIDHAT PASHA

Mustapha the Wrestler—The Case for the Defence—Midhat’s Defence—A Parody of Justice—The Public Prosecutor—Before the Court of Appeal—Grand Council—The British Parliament—Questions in Parliament—Mr M’Coan—Mr Gladstone—Lord Stratheden and Campbell—England’s Intervention207–233

CHAPTER XII

EXILE OF MIDHAT PASHA

Midhat in Prison—Attempt to Poison Midhat—Arrest of Shereef Abdul Mutalib—Haïroullah Effendi234–241

CHAPTER XIII

DETAILS OF THE ASSASSINATION OF MIDHAT PASHA, ACCORDING TO INFORMATION DERIVED FROM HAÏROULLAH EFFENDI

Return of Bekir—Midhat and Bekir—Tampering with Food—Attempts to Poison—Preparations for the Murder—The Murder242–256

APPENDIX A

THE NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE BERLIN NOTE AND THE CONFERENCE OF CONSTANTINOPLE

Negotiations following the Berlin Note—The Conference at Reichstadt—Servian Diplomacy and Defeat—England Proposes Terms—An Ultimatum to the Porte—Disagreement among the Powers257–270

APPENDIX B

THE INSURRECTION OF HERZEGOVINA AND BOSNIA AND THE BERLIN NOTE

Herzegovina and Bosnia—Lord Derby and Austria—Intentional Bad Faith—Austrian Diplomacy—The Berlin Note—Austria and Russia—Mr Monson’s Despatch271–284

APPENDIX C

BULGARIAN ATROCITIES

A Bulgarian Insurrection—Revolutionary Agents at Work—Fictions and Ingenious Credulity285–292

MIDHAT PASHA