Europe is right to blame many of the problems in the Balkans on Abdul Hamid, but we must also consider his upbringing, his environment, and the traditions of the Caliphate. It’s easy to say “Remove him from Europe,” but he is already in Europe. He controls a large part of it, and we have to deal with him as an autocrat. He holds all civil, military, and most religious power. The country is divided into provinces, called *vilayets*, each ruled by a *Vali*. These rulers receive small salaries but often become very rich Central Synagogue.
The Confused Legal System
The law in Turkey is complicated and often conflicting. There is the *shari’a*, or sacred law of Islam, and the civil and commercial law, which is based on the French Code Napoleon. In practice, Christian testimony is never accepted over that of a Muslim, even though it is theoretically supposed to be. All government appointments, from the lowest to the Sultan himself, are decided by higher officials. The Sultan doesn’t pay for his position, but everyone beneath him has to pay in one way or another.
Tax Collection Problems
The way taxes are collected is harmful. The government gives the job to the highest bidder, and for a fixed amount, the collector is allowed to demand a portion of a farmer’s crop. The collector usually pays more to the local governor than what is sent to Constantinople. The collector can claim up to one-tenth of the crop, but often takes much more by claiming the crop is worth more than it is. If the farmer complains about the valuation, he is not allowed to harvest his crop at all, leaving him with nothing. As a result, the hardworking Turkish peasant often makes just enough from his crop to survive, with little to no profit. One peasant told me, “If, effendi, I finish the year’s work with a profit of a *medjedeh* (about 4 shillings), I thank Allah!”
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