WHEN HERZL MET THE SULTAN
Prof. Arminius Vambery, the noted scholar, tells in the Herzl number of Die Welt to which Zionists are indebted for a valuable contribution to Herzliana, of the first meeting of the Sultan, Abdul Hamid and Herzl. After describing his personal relations with the Sultan, he says:
"One day I received a visit from Dr. Herzl in Budapest, who, with his usual modesty, approached me and asked whether it was true that I stood in intimate relations with the Sultan, and whether it would be possible for me to procure him an interview with the Sultan.
"Being a Jew by birth and education, I have naturally always taken the liveliest interest in the fate of my co-religionists, and I, of course, promised to do everything possible to help Dr. Herzl to secure the desired audience."
The task was very difficult, and Vambery had to go to Constantinople himself to see the matter through. All sorts of obstacles were in his way. Primarily, he says, there was the distrust of the Sultan himself, who in the proposals of the Zionists feared an attack on Palestine, and was very undecided in everything.
"It cost me endless effort to dispel his suspicions," he continues. "The palace also made difficulties, for the people thought that if the Jews wanted a concession it would be sure to rain gold, and everyone wanted a few drops of this golden shower. Again, certain diplomatic circles looked askance at the idea of Jewish intervention in Palestine, and were not very amicably disposed toward Zionist aspirations, although my late friend, Dr. Herzl, for months seemed to be convinced to the contrary. In short, it was a hard piece of work before I succeeded in moving the Sultan to receive Dr. Herzl."
On six occasions Vambery packed up
and prepared to leave the Turkish capital. Six times the vascillating Sultan asked him to wait. At length he received a definite intimation that Abdul Hamid would receive Dr. Herzl, but only on condition that Vambery left Constantinople. He never discovered why the Sultan did not want Herzl and himself to be together in the capital.
Vambery says that Herzl made a very good impression on the Turkish ruler. The Sultan said to him later: "This Herzl looks just like a prophet, like a leader of his people. He has very clever eyes, and speaks cautiously and clearly."
Vambery did not learn the exact nature of the negotiations between Herzl and the Sultan, but he gives it as his opinion that it would be a great mistake to describe Herzl as a visionary. He is convinced of the practical nature of his movement. He considers that Turkish territory is admirably adapted for a refuge for persecuted Jews, inasmuch as the Turks have been traditionally friends of the Jewish people. He quotes the exclamation of the Sultan Suleiman the Great, when he heard of the expulsion of the Jews from Spain: "I cannot understand the Spanish King, who has exiled the best and most useful subjects of his empire, and done himself harm."
The professor in this article replies to many enquiries that have been addressed to him regarding the new regime in Turkey. He likens it to a new house, in which the windows and doors have to "settle" in their proper places.
He thinks that much good may be expected by the Jews from the Turks, though he warns the Zionists not to underestimate the hostile movement propagated by two Christian Arabs, Nedschib Azoury and Schukri Ganem.
“In such cirumstances,” says the Vam- berg in conclusion, “the first duty of Zionists is, in my opinion, unity.”