Page:Islam, Turkey, and Armenia, and How They Happened.djvu/67

Rh Mohametan law that the soil upon which a Moslem sovereign may tread becomes a possession of Islam, anti as the Giaour princes of Frankistan (Europe) could hardly be expected to submit to Such a demand, there should be found some way to fulfil the law and enable the Sultan to carry out his intention. The leading religions authorities therefore held a solemn meeting in the palace to discuss the unprecedented subject. After much consideration one of them is said to have suggested the plan of preparing shoes for the Sultan having a layer of Turkish soil under them so that he could walk always upon his own country and not upon other lands. This plan came very near being agreed upon, when a brighter mufti sail, "It would be more glorious for our religion to let the Sultan possess those countries and on his departure to make presents of them to their former owners." This was unanimously approved and offered to the Sultan.