Page:Islam, Turkey, and Armenia, and How They Happened.djvu/141

Rh 2. The Robbery by the Sultan's Officers. The most important question in the mind of every officer is not the welfare of the government or of the people, but to devise a new plan to draw more money for themselves regardless of the mode or the consequences. Pasha Effendi (the governor) plans with kaimakam beys (the mayors) to blackmail some wealthy Armenian, or Greek or Jewish merchant, which never fails in resulting a goodly sum for our guardian of justice.

The police department is evidently known as the partner of thieves and the president of the societies of highwaymen. If you have some property stolen and feel anxious to get it back, make a skillful application to the chief of the police and pay something, say half the price of your loss, "as the governmental expenses for the search in the town and the expedition about," and you will be sure nine in ten to succeed.

The zaptiehs go from khan to khan (Turkish hotel) and seize the strangers or travelers and inquire about their regular license of trade. If they are able to show it they are asked to present the official receipt of the payment of the current year. If they do this they are demanded to show that of the last year, and if they can do so then are required to prove they are the persons they call themselves. When that is done the officer takes a paper out of his pocket and says: "You are to be arrested and sent to such a place. Here, I have the order (giving your description), 'dark hair, medium size and round face;' you