Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1921.djvu/1384

 1332 TURKEY

four sovereigns who have ruled Turkey since the foundation of the empire and of the reigning house : —

House of Othman.

Othman ....

1299

Murad IV., 'The Intrepid '

1623

Orkhan ....

1326

Ibrahim

1640

Murad I..

1359

Mohammed IV.

1648

Bayezid I., 'The Thunder-

Suleiman II. .

1687

holt' ....

1389

Ahmed II. .

1691

Interregnum

1402

Mustafa II. .

1695

Mohammed I..

1413

Ahmed III. .

1703

Murad II

1421

Mahmud I..

1730

Mohammed II., Conqueror

Othman III..

1754

of Constantinople.

1451

Mustafa III. .

1757

Bavezid II. ...

1481

Abdul Hamid I.

1773

Selim I. .. .

1512

Selim III. .

1789

Suleiman I., 'The Magni-

Mustafa IV. .

1807

ficent '.

1520

Mahmud II.

1808

Selim II

1566

Abdul-Medjid

1839

Murad III.

1574

Abdul-Aziz.

1861

Mohammed III.

1595

Murad V. (Ma^

30) '.

1876

Ahmed I..

1603

Abdul-IIamid II

• (Aug. 31)

1876

Mustafa I..

1617

Mohammed V. (April 27)

1909

Othman II.

1618

Mohammed VI.

(July 3)

1918

The civil list of the Sultan is variously reported at from one to two millions sterling. To the Imperial family belong a great number of crown domains, the income from which contributes to the revenue.

Constitution and Government.

Forms of constitution, after the model of the West European States, were drawn up at various periods by successive Ottoman (lovermnents, the first of them embodied in the ' Hatti-Humdyoun ' of Sultan Abdul Medjid, proclaimed November 3, 1839, and the most recent in a decree of Sultan Abdul-Hamid II., of November 1876. The latter provided for the security of personal liberty and property ; for the administration of justice by irremovable judges ; the abolition of torture, the freedom of the Press, and the equality of all Ottoman subjects. Islam was declared to be the religion of the State, but freedom of worship was seemed to all creeds, and all persons, irrespective of religion, were declared eligible to public office. Parliament should consist of two Houses, a Chamber of Deputies and a Senate. Senators should bo at least 40 years of age, and would be appointed by the Sultan from among those who have rendered distinguished service to the State. Deputies must be at least 80 years oft age, and are elected in the proportion of one tor every 50,000 male inhabitants. The mode of election is not laid down in the Constitution, but is the subject of a separate law under which the deputies are chosen by colleges of secondary electors for each Sanjak. Secondary electors must be at least W [years ofaga. They are elected Ironi communes and urban wards in the proportion of one for every 500 primary electors. Subject to certain minor disqualifications, all male Ottoman subjects of not less than '-'a years of age are primary electors, provided they pay direct taxes to the State. Civil or military officials may offer themselves for election, but must immediately resign their posts on being returned.

This constitution became for all practical purposes B dead letter in 1878,