SULTAN'S CHANCES

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 490, 24 April 1909, Page 5

SULTAN'S CHANCES

STILL DUBIOUS. REDUCED GARRISON-PUNISHMENT OF . ' REBELS, A RESPONSIBLE CABINET. A TERRIBLE DEATH-ROLL IN ARMENIA(DV TXLEanAPK—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COFVIHGHT.) (Rec. April 23, 10.55 p.m.) • London, .April 23. Advicos from Constantinople* state that tho Government has unconditionally, accepted tho demands of Shevket Pasha, commander 'of the Third Army Corps, inoluding: . ':,

(1) Tho formation of a Cabinet and tho: election of a President of tho Chamber conformably with the law and' tho constitution. (2) Tho discovery and tho condign punishment of the preinoters of the reoont rovolt in Constantinople. ! (3) Tho ioduotion of tho garrison of the oapital 'to four battalions, and tho : eniistmont of police and gendarmerie in Constantinople on tho Macedonian ■ model. . .■':'. . /

WILL ABDUL HAMID RE3IOT? dethronement debate. ; warships" on constitutional side. \. ■: .p. (Rec. April 24, 0.25 aim.) ... ; .' ■■-'.■■■ :\\>. . London, April 23. Advices from Salonika stato'that Bhovket Pasha has proceeded to the front and directs tho investment operations at Constantinople?, It is rumoured that tho Sultan Abdul Hamid is preparing to make a reaistaiice to the Young Turk forces. . : . Messages from Vienna announce that the National Assembly of Senators and 120 Deputies, now sitting at San Stefano, discussed two motions, tho first providing for the Sultan's deposition, tho second declaring the march of the Macedonian (Young Turk) Army is legal, and that those resisting it are rebels. • ..;' .. ■ •. ■ ■ .■; '•• While Mukhtar Pasha was speaking against the proposed dethronement of the Sultan; fivo Turkish warships, without Admiral Gamble, appeared and placed themselves at tho Assembly's disposal. Among; tho footers influencing the feeling of tho Assembly in favour of tho Sultan's dethronement was the belief that hia deposition had alroady boon decided on in and that tho Sheik-ul-Islam had aesotrted thereto. . '. '■■:-. ( ' . . ... The Assembly, which has. now increased to 200 members, postponed. a decision regarding tho dethronement/but adopted tie second motion. Deliberation on tho dotnronement motion will be resumed to-day.. '. The Turkish warships started before the fixed timo, without Admiral Gamble, te tho Turkish officors desired to-hasten to join tho Constitutionalists. .-'..' . : ..■■ ■ . ~. ' .Shoyket iPosha, as defender of tho rights of all Ottomans, hae assumed direction of tho negotiations with tho Government, [R«ar-Admiral Gamble is the British naval officer who was recently; appointed to superintend the reorganisation of the Turkish Navy His salary ie' £8000 per annum. Hear-Admiral Uamble.is aged 82, and is a'smart, zealous, and popular officer,] . ..-■:• -. ABDUL HAMJD AND ENVER BP,Y, THE INVESTING : ;jARMY.; (Rec. April 23, 0.10 p.m.) ■' • ' ■■ , Constantinople, April 23i' The Sultan did not make oyertures as stated yesterday (viz., promising Parliamontary government with a Ministry responsible to Parliament). -: •- ~ ; Though confident asaurahces aro given in :Constantinople that the. Sultan will not bo deposed, tEnver Boy and other leaders of tho Constitutional party insist on tho oontrary. , Tho Constaiitinoplo. police connsoatetl the journal "Hilar" , for publishing- a violent article disputing tho Sultan's title to be Khalif, and citing tho circumstances of previous depositions of Sultana. ) The investing army numbore 25,000, and reinforcements. and artillery aro arriving daily.': . , , ... ; - :M - ..... ', ' ; ■ •'

\ ; ■ London, April 22. . Reuter's Agency reports that Izzet Pasha, Chief of 4ie General Staff, who was the principal Constantinople member 6f the Oommittee of Union and Progress, bo directed affaire that the First Corps garrisoning thecity was won over to the- Constitutional cause. Hβ was ably assisted by Rifaat Pasha, formerly Turkish Ambassador in Londom Tho committee, detached practically every person of 'distinction from tho Sultan, and refused to negotiate with any ona on tho Sultan , s> behalf regarding his future. ;; ARMENIAN SYMPATHY WITH YOUNG TURKS. STEPS TO BLOCK FUGITIVES. ; (Reo. April 28, D.lO p.m.).'..' : Constantinople, April 23. ~ Contingents of tho Third Army Corps have been sent across tho Sea ; of' Jlarmora, and havo occupied tho railway station of Eskishohr, in order, to intercept fugitivos from Constantinople..... . ■ . ■..'■/ ■ Armenian ladies of the Red Cross Society presented Husni Pasha's 'Salonika troops with a flag, which was thankfully 'accepted.' Many Armenian ladies presented them with flower 3., The troops were offered the services of the Red Crescent-Society, if needed.. OVER 10,000 MASSACRED, SACRED MURDERS, SUFFERINGS-OP THE ARMENIANS. . , ■, ..:- v Constantinople, April 22. The wavo of; fanaticism' at Adana ''is directly traceable; regard for tho Sher'at (the snored law of tho Turks), and the popularity of tho Sultan... ■■■' ;.. ■ Ihe unrest is spreading in tho Eastern provinces. Kufd3, Circassians, and Nomads are devastating Christian villages throughout the vilayets of Sivas, in Asia Minor, and Aleppo, in Syria. .'..■■' NEITHER WOMAN NOR CHILD SPARED ' DEVASTATED DISTRICTS. ' [":■' ..'.■. . (Roc. April 23, 9.50 p.m.) .. .. ' ■■■■;■ : r , '■■■' Constantinople, April 23 f' Between 10,000 and 15,000 Armenians were massacred in Syria, principally in the AdnnaVilayot. :;;■.';, ". "' ...... . The Government' has' urgently instructed the Vali to suppress disturbances and to deal vigorously with riliylondors.; Tho situation in Tarsus is improved. - ;,, '' ' "'' ■■. The .reactionaries in tho . districts"' devastated epaiod neither women nor : children.

Tho massacres everywhere vcro conducted 1 uitli tlie greatest violence. 1 In carrying out their work of decimation I tho crowds shouted: "Not a twig of tho acI cursed race- shall bo suffered to livo." i the young turk leaders. 'knvke bey. a soldier tuhni',]) politician by circumstances. If Ahmed llwn. Bey, with his 18years of patriotic exilo in Pans nnd London, is tho veleian of tho Yomig Turk nio\ eincnt, Mnjoi Envoi13ey, the friend of. Niazi Bey, niny perlmps be called ns the. most brilliant. of its younger' exponents. ~- Tho rising of the tinny m July last was largely the work of Envor and Niazi, and it' is noteworthy that at the ontry of the Salonika' troops, into tho capital these two officers, with the veteran Ahmed ltiza, received an ovation. After last year's revolution, the Monastir correspondent of "The Times" wrote: Before leaving Salonika, I had a long and interesting conversation with Enver Bey, who, speaking in; very good Trench, thoughtfully, slowly,, and' modestly, explained at length the present ■ policy and future intentions of the Committee of Union and Progress, of which he is a prominent member. The following are his,-words, taken'down at "the time and published with his consent:—. ■• .■'■. ; \ How His Political Call Arose. 1 * ;; ' "You see me,at work in a political bureau, but please.understand that I am not a revolutionary leader, but a soldier compelled by circumstances to take my shnro in politics. I am hero more by accideut. thuri by design. Though I hayo been a humble member of the League of Union and Progress for several years, I took no pnblio action till I was denounced by the Palaco : eples as a consnirntoi and ordered to report myself at Constantinople. Instead of obeying this order I did as my com-

rado Niazi (lid and escaped to tho hills, This gave mo a 'prominence, which I was far from seeking. Happily, my brother officers know that my only ambition is to work humbly for my oountry. ■ . . National, Not Military., ' ' ' "The revolution is a national, not a military rovolutiou-the rising of a whole people against a Government which had driven them to despair. The army is not the master, but the servant of the situation; it is the instrument of the nation's will. I wish to makjj this perfectly clear. The Committee of Union and Progress stands behind the Government and is at present taking the*-place'of Parliament, acting as an advisory board and keeping the members of,-.the Administration informed of all matters of publio interest. Though the revolution was directed against the Palace despotism, the League .will support the Sultan,, thn lawful Sovereign, so'long as his Majesty respoots.tho Constitution. ■.-■■,.■. ■ .' ..',.'■ ■',•■ ; "With regard to the.European powers, tho Committee wishes to inspire confidence by.giving no cause for offence.. For tho moment, law and order have been restored to Macedonia not by international action, but by tho peacemaking influenoo of tho revolution. Tho question of tho withdrawal of the foreign "Gendarmerie" officors is one for tho Powers to consider. It will sottlo itself. If orHerrcon-, tinues in Macedonia, the Ppwora, in due couree, will, doubtless; recall tl(eir oflico/s, who will have.no locus standi.''* * .-.;'. ■..'.; All Creeds in the Army. As regards the army, the Committee of Union and Progress desires full measures of reform.- AHOttoman subjects must bear their' share of personal, military service, lio matter what their faith or oreed. Just as tho Army bf Great Britain in India, contains Moslems. Hindus, Sikhs, and Christians, so can Christians servo shoulder to'shouldor with Moslems in tho Ottoman Army, The army requires reformation. Our system and method of training must be more practical, and scope/must be given for individuality in order to secure solidarityof esprit de corps. .Hitherto,, initiative has beoen .crushed out and hardworking officers hayo been denounced to tho Palace as conspirators. In future tho army will afford a legitimate field, of woj;k for, all who ,wlsh to in: their johosen'profession, * We-, want a national nrmy, not-an army representative of Moslem ascendency. ■ ■ '"■ ' ■ '.. ■ . "■-.■ ■ "■■ .■ - ; .;■;" ■■"' ; '. Pan-l«lamlsm,Not!noludod, ' ■ ...'■ "Pan-Islamism 'has''no''place* in tlid programme of the Committee. Egpy.t is outside the.sphoro of. its vision. ..The Young Turkey party will not intorfore with the good wor>: of tho British Government in .Jlgypt, and will lend no countenance to agitators. All tho League has to, oonaidori is the regeneration and development of Turkey; on constitutional lines, and in this work we hope to receive the support of King Edward's Government arid the sympathy of the English nation." So spoke this young, Turkish officer, who,'at tho iißo.nf 27, by his courage and force of character, haK won the , greatest respeot and popularity. amoiig_ hia countrymen and is using tho influence,'whioh'ho has ncfjiiired with tho wisdom and prudence of an experienced statesman. '. ' ■■~'.'• '.■;'' '■ ' ; ■" '. ' '

-.'■ .■',:'■. \. NIAZI BEY. ' .■,-.-•■ , STORY OF THE RISING. AT RESNA. : Niazi Bey • was one of the control figures in tho July rising, and organised the revolt at Kesna. At tho Beginning of his. military career, In tho Graeco-TurkiSh war. Niazi ''distinguished himself in tho campaign in Theesaly, and i on one occasion, .captured sinsle-handed, , 17 Ho was ordered by tho Sultan to go to Constantinople iwith his prisoners, but the son of a Palace favourite took them from. , him and, personating.him before tho Sultan, obtaineu his Majeety's reward. '■"■.-. ' , Putting Down Insurrection. : After tho war the_ young, lieutenant returned to R«sna. He had learned by personal experience the character of tho Sultan's entourage, but his loyalty to his Sovereign and his patriotic instincts remained unimpaired: After, the Bulgarian insurrection of 1803 Niazi distinguished himsoH by his great energy in tho pursuit of the'-bands,- often 1 remaining many weeks or months together in tho mountains. He* suecoeded iii killing a largo number of insurgents. The bravery these men showed in facing inevitable death lnhdc a deep impression on him, and he could riot but realise that thev wore inspired by sonlo great motive, but <is ! 'a Turkish patriot ho could not sympathise with thom. •-. ' .-. ■■■': • .■ ■ Hβ was soon, however, in the midst of experiences which proved that violence, plunder, espionage, and oppression woro going on unchecked in Macedonia, and that the judges themselves were bribed.. Foreign officers' were' placed on Turkish' soil, and Nitisii, who, had joined the Young Turk organisation, saw that European intervention would ultimately curl in the loss of Macedonia to Turkey. Assembling sonio 30. members of the Kcsria committee, he cotmsolled , action. ''■■■. ' The , Taking of. the Oath. In his o\yn story, of what took placo at Reslia, Niazi says he addwssed his colleagues, saying:—".We can stand this no longer. Wo cannot live, to seo our, country taken,from us. Shall we go to the mountains and raiso the standard of the Constitution?" ..'■■' "All agreed," said Niazi; "and wo took tho oath once more on the Koran and revolver. This was on the Thuradny night. Next morning, wo waited till the Mohammedans went to the mosnuo and then proceeded to the barracks. Tho soldiers know nothing of the conspiracy; Early that morning I had sent a detachment to the mountains pretending that, a band had arrived in the neighbourhood, and two hours later I sent the rcmaindor of the troope after them as a roinforeement. Tho barracks were therefore empty. Wo broko open tho dopot and took nway all tho rifles and ammunition and J!Tst;o. We then marched out through the towu.v You know the rest." AHMED RIZA. ; The reward of tho Young Turk leader,' Ahmed Hizu, for his long exilo was to bo oleoted Inst December I'reslduit of the now Turkish Chamber of Deputies. The announcement was received with the utmost enthusiasm, and Ahmed Riza, obviously labouring under considerable emotion, took tho chair and addressed the House. He described how, 20 years' ago, ho loft Brusa alul'nmdo his way to Paris where he worked on behalf nf Ottoman constitutional liberties aided by devoted patriotic friends. Their work had been finally orovmed with success, but much remained to be done'. Ho i bogged tho Deputies to forget old quarrels and to combine for the goneral welfare, remembering that the eyes not only of the nation, but of Europe, were fixed .upon thenu Destruction had been necessary; now their more difficult task was to show themselves capablo of a constructive policy, constitutional in its objects, and:-marked by : moderation and prudence in its ..development, He declared that tho-Committee of Union niid Progrofs would carry out their task with the calm ami dignity which had thus far marked their policy, and expressed tho hope that his comrades would not allow themselves to be influenced by personal interest? in the perforin-' anco of their duty to the nation. Success would be oaly by an honourable and disinterested policy, " ' ■•■'•. ■: