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"Steps shall be taken for the formation of banks and other similar institutions, so as to effect a reform in the monetary and financial system, as well as to create funds to be employed in augmenting the sources of the material wealth of my Empire."
Such were some of the promises of 1856; such were the Sultan's "wishes and commands," and A'ali Pasha, his Grand Vizier, was bidden to take "all necessary measures that all the orders which it [the Hatti-Houmaïoun] contains "be henceforth carried out with the most rigorous punctuality."
Of the thirty-five articles of this famous Hatti-Houmaïoun, those that are important have, to quote the words of Mr. Butler-Johnstone, a zealous friend of the Turkish Power, "remained dead letters."[1] He admits, in regard to the administration of justice, that the promises of Turkey have been "translated into mock courts, unpaid judges, arbitrary procedure, and corrupt decisions." As to the introduction of "a sounder fiscal system," he says, "nothing of the kind has been done;" as to corruption, "at present the whole administration is corrupt;" as to banks, "nothing of the sort has been thought of." Instead of performance of the promises relative to better means of communication,
"The absence of roads and canals has prevented the relief of a famished population; and as to railroads, the only important line finished was a cloak for a most notorious scandal."
As to the promise of profiting "by the science, the art, and the funds of Europe" for "the increase of the sources of the wealth of the Empire," we see what has been done. With the money of unsatisfied bondholders an ironclad fleet has been purchased, and is fast wearing out; a large army has been provided with the most improved weapons of war, all of which has emboldened the pashas to resist the unanimous counsels of the Powers of Europe. Favourites and fawning courtiers have been enriched, and millions have been wasted in baubles
- ↑ Series of letters to Pall Mall Gazette, 1875.
