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Page 4
These Sheiks are very powerful persons. It is perhaps a little difficult
to make you understand just how powerful they are, living as you do in a
country where such conditions do not exist.
The Sheiks are leaders of numerous tribes of people to whom their word
is absolute law, and whom they command as entirely as a father commands
his children, and for the reason that the tribesmen are in a measure the
children of the Sheik.
In the olden times family life was much stronger and closer than it is
to-day. The father of a family would continue to govern the affairs of
his sons after they had grown up and married and had families of their
own. Until his death, the father would be the ruler of his own group of
relatives, and when he was gone, his eldest son would become the head of
the family in his place.
As the grandchildren grew up and raised sons and daughters of their own,
the family would grow larger; but, while all obeyed their own fathers,
they also obeyed the rulings of the head or chief of the family.
It was the plan of leadership that we read of in the Bible--the
patriarchal system, as it was called.
The clans of the Highlands of Scotland are formed in a similar manner. A
member of a clan is simply a relative, a person of the same blood and
family as the head of the clan, and according to their custom he obeys
the commands of his chieftain.
In ancient times, when a Highland chieftain went to war, he had the
right to call on every man in the clan to join him. None who were able
to answer the call ever thought of refusing.
In the East to-day the patriarchal system prevails as strongly as ever.
The Sheiks or Chiefs are the rulers of the people, and can control and
command them as they please.
The people of the Eastern tribes are nearly all Mohammedans. As we have
told you before, they think it right to kill those who do not believe in
the Prophet Mohammed.
They would be very glad to gain possession of Thessaly and spread
Mohammedanism throughout the province. They are therefore most unwilling
that the Sultan should allow it to fall again into the hands of the
Greeks.
Should the Sultan consent to the demands of the Powers and restore
Thessaly, the Sheiks might call out their tribes and carry on the war
themselves.
The Sultan has therefore to be very careful not to anger them, and it is
for this reason that he delays, hoping that in time one party or the
other may give in.
The Powers are, however, quite tired of the delay, and the latest
despatch says that they have sent the Sultan a collective note, which
means a letter expressing the sentiments of all the diplomats concerned.
This note states that they cannot allow any further delay, and demands
that the Porte arrive at a decision immediately.
It is also stated on good authority that the Greek Government has
arranged a loan to pay the money that Turkey demands as a war indemnity,
so that just as soon as the peace negotiations are concluded Greece may
be ready to pay the required sum.
* * * * *
The report about the wounding of General Gomez has been contradicted.
It seems that the Spaniards and Cubans had an engagement near the Jucaro
Moron trocha.
A body of insurgents under General Vega were trying to join the forces
of General Gomez, when they encountered the Spanish troops.
The insurgents gave battle, and were getting the best of the fight, when
a second Spanish column appeared in sight.
The insurgents, finding themselves outnumbered, retreated.
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