Biography Nakhlé Moutran

1 biography

1.1 family background
1.2 education
1.3 paris years
1.4 united states
1.5 opposed constitution
1.6 in france
1.7 manifesto
1.8 counter-revolution
1.9 cemal pasha
1.10 baalbeck
1.11 syria , lebanon

biography
family background

nakhlé born on 14 july 1872, @ baalbek (which @ time belonged ottoman empire, , today city in independent state of lebanon) son of habîb moutran (1829–1900), pasha of baalbek, , marie kateb. grand father yussef moutran said have been first christian receive title of pasha hands of sultan @ istanbul. habib moutran decorated medal ottoman s special envoy syria fuad pasha (1815–1869), important reformer of tanzimat period, sent beirut in 1860 enforce ottoman law after outbreak of war, pretending grant equal rights ottoman citizens. after massacres of druzes against christians in syria, there formed, on september 6, 1864 (dust. iv, pp. 695–735), semi-autonomous region of mount lebanon under government of mutasarrif protect local christian population. mount lebanon didn t include baalbek , bekaa valley historically , commercially connected mount lebanon. included in mount lebanon zahlé , territory, ruled greek catholic kaimakam (provincial governor).

habîb , father yussef moutran allied shiite metawali family of harfoush. in fact, both, yussef , habîb moutran, served them secretaries , managed financial affairs of powerful family of emirs (princes). harfouch family enjoyed during centuries sort of independence within , ottoman empire, relying on large population of original shiites in region of baalbek. center of cult of these mutawelis , harfouch (which held in esteem among them) @ entrance of city of baalbek, tomb of kholat, daughter of famous husayn ibn ali, great granddaughter of muhammad. there no historical proof, believed after defeat , murder of hossein @ karbala ummayads, family taken captive damascus in syria. before reaching there, kholat said have died in baalbek, buried. ottoman sultans tried break absolute power of harfouch family , shiites in region, because sultan spiritual leader of sunnites, arch enemies of shiites. of these efforts, sultan succeeded 1850, when sulayman harfouch captured ottomans , taken damascus, said have been poisoned guards.

yussef moutran, son habîb , grandson nakhlé traditional , ancient greek catholic family can trace roots first christians in region. greek catholics or melkites represented element of culture, tradition , excellent education, , had arabic background. reason, succeeded enter in service of harfouch family. baalbek, @ time largely in hands of shiite mutawelis. few christian families, greek catholics, lived there. center of greek catholics in nearby town of zahlé. different in seventeenth century, when french chevalier d arvieux saw still prospering. @ time ancestor of moutran family lived @ baalbek, bishop epiphane of baalbek (elected in 1628, died in 1647) married , left many descendants there.

it seems rise of power of moutran family in baalbek connected end of shiite influence , harfouch family there , sultan rewarded cooperation of habîb moutran in matter. habîb moutran, showing gained power, lived in palace-like mansion in baalbek. beautiful building still exists , later transformed mosque. there or @ nearby ras al- ayn, famous summer resort, moutrans had house, nakhlé moutran pasha born in 1872.

considering family background, born enter politics. precursors there brothers yussef moutran, born @ baalbek in 1852, nadra, born on 1 january 1868, @ baalbek , rachîd, born on 21 april 1864, @ baalbek. brother elias, received later title of bey under ottoman empire, married evelyne malhamé , became father of maud moutran, better known under name of husband maud fargeallah (1909–1995).

up 1890, there isn t known activities of habîb s sons. still young, seems entered protest movement against sultan abdül hamid ii swept @ time territory of ottoman empire. when abdul hamid ii became sultan of ottoman empire in 1876, promised , introduced constitution, desisting absolute power held secular , spiritual leader (caliph). shortly afterwards, abdül hamid suspended promised constitution , began retaliate severe measures against form of resistance absolute government. in lebanon, many intellectuals , persons more insight in politics, resented suspension of constitution, because expected more independence lebanon constitutional government. in 1889, core of resistance sultan abdül hamid s despotism took form of young turks movement. young means group of progressive intellectuals many parts of society, including, especially, students @ universities, officers ottoman army , members of sultan s own family in opposition government.

nadra moutran, brother of nakhlé, member of young turks. became acquainted movement constitutional government during studies @ university of saint joseph in beirut, between 1895 , 1899 , later in constantinople (istanbul). nakhlé s sister victoria strong supporter of movement.

more evident resistance of moutran family sultan s government in person of nakhlé s cousin khalil mutran, son of abdû youssef moutran , malaka sabbag haifa.

education

he received excellent education , developed in interest in literature should determine rest of life famous poet , author.

paris years

as appeared critical sultan s government, had fear life , fled, in 1890, paris. lived 2 years, frequenting circles of young turks, became afraid time, because paris had many agents of sultan trying capture or assassinate opponents. first, decided go south america, parents of him had found refuge, opted egypt, began brilliant career author , poet.

during years between 1895 , 1900, nakhlé studied, brothers, lived in france , enjoyed there great reputation among ottomans lived there. appears became during time friend of rachîd, sultan abdûl hamid s brother. in way, entered opposition brothers , sister victoria. however, between april 1906 , 1908 lived in paris in mansion in avenue des champs-elysées, 71. paid rent of 9,000 francs per year wasn t little @ time. brother nadra divided rooms him time. since nadra allied young turks, means different political attitudes didn t affect personal relations.

it seems nakhlé granted title pasha during time passed in france. evidently, made living selling paintings , antiquities. servants entertained in mansion told quite different story: convinced head of sultan s secret service in paris. in case, clear had best relations embassy of ottoman empire in paris. between end of year 1906 , first months of 1907 confronted serious financial difficulties , had recourse different means overcome them. he, especially, sent many messages sultan abdûl-hamid intrigues against him. french found @ time invented these stories enhance reputation , gain money. know nowadays, 1 year later, in summer of 1908, revolution of young turks broke out, , ottoman troops salonica threatened march on istanbul.

shortly before these events, in 1908, went istanbul and, certainly, met there sultan s brother rachîd or sultan abdûl-hamid himself. on other hand, returned several times paris , met brother rachîd moutran, constructing political connections between groups of young turks , conservative groups around sultan. during financial difficulties, in beginning of 1907, became object of false accusations , calumny french actress mme carlier. perhaps, part of political intrigue against him, because knew young turks movement.

united states

on 14 august 1908, nakhlé moutran pasha, being on visit united states, accepted invitation of syrian daily newspaper al-hoda in new york organized meeting in honour of him leader of young turks @ paris many years. editor of al-hoda in united states, naoum mokarzel, reminded audience of sufferings of young turks revolutionaries , constitution had been established @ high price. sultan praised having granted constitution. in stark contrast declaration, dinner celebrated formation of syrian society under presidency of moutran pasha. syrian financier moutran pasha, new york times called him, entertained dinner of syrian editors of new york @ kalil s restaurant, 14 park place, last night.

moutran pasha explained

that proposed not unite syrians, arab people. moutran pasha told of reports washington retiring turkish minister, son of izzet pasha, whom armenians blame armenian massacres, had been threatened death. said no matter father had done, son not held responsible. young turks not stoop sending of death threats, said.

opposed constitution

it told nadra moutran, nakhlé s brother, friend izzet pasha el- abed (born @ damascus in 1836), 1 of leaders of reactionary group in ottoman empire, second secretary , chief advisor of sultan abdûl-hamid. izzet pasha responsible, president, building of famous hijaz railroad turkey medina, depicted in film “lawrence of arabia”. when nadra moutran @ istanbul (constantinople), paid visits friend izzet pasha. on other hand, german contemporary publication refers rachîd moutran, nadra s brother, in favor of abdûl-hamid, abhorred armenian massacres separated political ideas of sultan. however, germans found had been austed power malhamés. rachîd contrary constitutionalism in ottoman empire, because believed western form of government didn t serve ottoman empire. felt anger emerging victory of constitution called ahmed riza (a prominent young turk , later minister of education) mean idiot , members of arab-ottoman brotherhood (al-ikha) scoundrels.

the moutran family had become acquainted ahmad izzet bey al- abid during term of office of kıbrıslı mehmed kamil pasha (1833–1913), sultan s grand vizier in istanbul. kamil pasha held close relationships arab circles in istanbul around yussef moutran, nakhlé s brother, , ahmed izzet bey al- abid (also major shareholder in suez canal company in egypt) who, @ time, employed in department of commerce in ottoman government.

nakhlé moutran pasha remained time in united states, residing @ hotel plaza. seems had polital meetings leaders of 250,000 syrians lived in united states. many of them citizens. nakhlé told editors of syrian papers urge them vote william howard taft (1857–1930) elected, in 1908, 27th president of united states.

back in france

on morning of october 1, 1908, nakhlé sailed on french liner la provence paris. before leaving, gave interview new york times, explaining close friend of rachîd effendi, brother of present sultan abdûl-hamid. if former should placed on throne of turkey in brother s stead, expected have high place in new government.

through interpreter, observed present conditions in ottoman empire:

“the situation in turkey alarming. young turks party in power, divided. there 2 elements – radicals , conservatives. there renewal of macedonia revolts. young turks losing grip. verging on despotism , abusing powers. riding roughshod on sultan, causing enmity of religious element.” (the new york times, october 1, 1908).

he further explained german ambassador helped sultan in negotiating loan of 4,000,000 livres obtained deutsche bank. believed conservative faction assert , next sultan rachîd effendi in place of brother.

manifesto

nakhlé s brother rachîd moutran, speaking in name of syrian central committee in paris, published in december 1908 manifesto sent many foreign embassies in beirut. in manifesto claimed independence syria (including lebanon) result of constitutional development in ottoman empire. asserted constitutional government in western sense wasn t possible in ottoman empire , inevitably lead dissolution because of political aspirations of minorities. german orientalist martin hartmann outraged @ manifesto. argued committee didn t represent syrians in ottoman empire , in foreign countries, claimed. moreover, accused representatives of syrian interests use introduction of constitution pretext gain advantages , independence syria. government of german emperor opposed division of ottoman empire, because, being allies of sultan, afraid of growing influence of english , french in region.

the manifesto wasn t received population in syria , lebanon. 1 of first repehend him, beirut s christian deputy sulayman al-bustani. according governor in damascus, circular or manifesto caused widespread anger , sadness in syria. muhammad arslan, deputy latakia, pleaded extend condemnation entire moutran family, although many members of own family had been among first condemn him. nakhlé s brother nadra moutran, 1 of founders of al-ikha, arab-ottoman brotherhood, in istanbul, harshly criticized brothers rachîd , nakhlé professed leaders of syrian central committee in paris. on other hand, many syrians afraid of french designs on syria. therefore declared support ottoman state , condemned circular.

nadra moutran thwarted political activities of 2 brothers in way, publishing @ time of manifesto book young turks, expounding ideas of political movement , future (reflexions d un vieux jeune-turc, 1908).

counter-revolution

shortly after deposition of sultan abdûl-hamid in 1908 , renewal of constitution, sultan justified suspension having been temporarily “until education of people had been brought sufficiently high level extension of instruction throughout empire”, there occurred counter-revolution of reactionary elements. felt behind coup, lost power , in april 1909 substituted brother rachîd effendi proclaimed sultan mehmed v.

now, happened nakhlé moutran pasha expected, , should have been content friend rachîd in power. happened mehmed v (or rachîd) had no real power , political decisions taken various members of government. however, gained, 1911, position of secretary @ ottoman embassy in paris.

the era began, wasn t, unfortunately, happy moutran family, nor lebanon members of ancient christian family loved much. young turks were, nakhlé observed, split @ least 2 factions. long, not in power, these internal tensions checked, broke out, gained power.

there question of future of ottoman empire in general, linked lebanon s future. long government believed in survival of ottoman empire, had subdue every form of resistance central government. there formed groups preached turkish nationalism counterpart arab nationalism, meant division , end of ancient ottoman empire.

cemal pasha

shortly afterwards, in 1911, there resided in beirut days, @ hotel chahine, ancient residence of mme bustros, official of turkish government activities should turn out fatal , tragical life of nakhlé moutran pasha , lebanon , syria. cemal pasha (1872–1922), high-ranking turkish officer, in beginning collaborated young turks movement, had lost, @ time confidence of new government. on way baghdad, destined governor (vali). didn t relish menu of hotel , preferred, during days stayed there, eat in house of nicolas de bustros, dandy known in beirut. bustros described djamal (cemal) pasha charming man, calm , agreeable. 1 day, appeared in house of bustros accompanied victoria moutran, nakhlé s sister. nobody imagined @ time charming djamal 1 day should called butcher of syria.

the bustros family of beirut allied moutrans way of nadra moutran s wife catherine habib bustros. victoria (1882 – 8 august 1916, paris) meddled politics. lived between istanbul , paris , used receive in salon politicians, dignitaries, intellectuals , businessmen. nadra moutran had catherine bustros son habib later became mp of baalbek , minister of public health in lebanon under government of rashid karami (1921–1987).

baalbeck

meanwhile, nakhlé moutran pasha retired baalbeck. there encountered growing unrest , discontent political situation continued cut off region mount lebanon, formed organic statute of sultan in 1864. important decisions baalbek , bekaa valley taken vali (ottoman governor) @ damascus. so, nakhlé, in end of year 1912, used time pay visit damascus secure revision of trial of 1 of friends. there made 2 visits french consul general ottavi @ damascus on january 15, 1913, reported nakhlé maurice bompard, french ambassador in constantinople. nakhlé said in conversation ottavi had talk him matter should interest natural protector of lebanon , syria, i. e. france. added leading statesman of france had expressed himself same effect. continued: “the present situation intolerable. have decided secure incorporation of baalbeck , plain of bekaa in lebanon, united geographically. need , protection of french government. muslims , christians alike, determined succeed. know, how can achieve our object if ottoman government opposes armed resistance. 1 section of people of baalbek belongs our party , town enjoys special position. s key heart of syria , roads interior. chief of mutawelis (essad bey haydar), influential man in district, abdul gani el rufai, leader of muslims, , determined our region shall form part of lebanon, , have decided go beirut inform monsieur conget of our plans. has taken greatest interest in connected lebanon. baalbek in area of consulate, duty inform of these matters on behalf of essad bey, abdul gani, , myself.”

ottavi received these assurances every courtesy, greatest reserve. didn t trust nakhlé much, because had been 2 years ago secretary of turkish embassy in paris, knew many of french diplomatists, @ same time involved unionist party (the young turk movement). connections unionists denied, talking collapse of committee s policy , insolence of young turks.

in note on paper report, anonymous person observed nakhlé moutran pasha had served sultan abdûl-hamid , advisor izzet pasha al- abed. concluded proposals of such man should handled care. similarly, advice growing threat of war, given victoria moutran british prime minister, disregarded. victoria recommended keep british fleet in bosphorus waters prevent turks allying germans against allies.

djamal pasha, had become 1 of leading figures in ottoman government, had @ outbreak of world war in 1914 doubtful attitude respect european affairs. was, personally, in favor of alliance of ottoman empire france, had give idea because of resistance of 2 other pashas formed government, enver , talat. favored alliance german emperor wilhelm ii (1859–1941), , djamal sided them when took power in 1913.

syria , lebanon

in 1915, enver pasha sent djamal pasha syria , lebanon , gave him absolute power in military , civilian affairs on part of ottoman empire. in may of same year, law passed granted him emergency powers. since ottoman empire @ war british, russians , french every attempt gain independence or change existing administration, treated treason. on other hand, british tried foment , encourage movements independence in of arab territories of ottomans.

in situation, djamal pasha being afraid of general rebellion, had recourse severe measures against population of syria , lebanon. many people, christians alike muslims, arrested , executed. persecution culminated in may 1916, when many persons hanged in beirut , damascus.

in same year, being afraid of revolt led french, djamal gave order occupy french consulates in beirut , damascus , confiscate secret french archives. there encountered, among other things, report ottavi had sent nakhlé moutran pasha french ambassador. nakhlé, other members of family, arrested , sent damascus. djemal pasha commented later in memories:

shortly before arrival in syria several important documents, implicating nahle mutran pasha of baalbek, handed on court martial. inquiry in progress, necessary let justice take course. court martial condemned nahle mutran pasha penal servitude life.

after visit jerusalem hulussi bey told me presence of nahle pasha in damascus open objection, , had obtained permission constantinople send him under guard diarbekir. during journey pasha had attempted escape 1 night when near djerablus, , had been found dead guards.