REVOLT IN TURKEY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3167, 19 April 1909, Page 5

REVOLT IN TURKEY.

YOUNG TURKISH PARTY HOSTILE. PKEPARING TO MARCH TO CONSTANTINOPLE. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright. CONSTANTINOPLE. April 16. The attitude of the Constantinople troops towards civilians and foreigners is irreproachable. The Young Turkish party at Salonica is apparently under the impression that the Constitution has been abolished, and is arranging to march to Constantinople with the Third Army Corps. Jazil Bey is expected to bring ten thousand volunteers from Salonica.

PROCLAMATION BY THE SULTAN. LONDON, April 16. Reuter's agent at Salonica reports that two battalions of troops have proceeded by rail to Constantinople. Others are preparing to start. The proclamation issued by the Sultan maintains the Constitution and the Sherifiat, and urges the preservation of tranquility. j THREATENED ATTACK ON THE CAPITAL. Received April 18, 4.30 p.m. LONDON, April 17. The Constantinople correspondent of "The Times" says that the officers of the Third Army Corps telegraphed threatening to attack the capital unless Hilmi Pasha and Ahmed Riza Bey were restored to power in twelve hours. Protests against the revolution have been received from troops and officials at Yanini (capital of a vilayetin, Turkish Albania, 50 miles inland from the shore opposite Corfu), and Monastir (a town in Turkish Macedonia, 90 miles north west of Salonica). There is considerable excitement at Symrna (the most important seaport town of Asia Minor, finally captured by the Turks under Murah 11. in 1424) and rioting at Seres and Mersina. Five thousand persons, including several heads of religious communties, met at Salonica and appointed a central committee to replace the dissolved Constantinople committee.

A PACIFYING PROCLAMATION. Received April 18, 4.30 p.m. CONSTANTINOPLE, April 18. The Sultan has presented the Theological students with £IO,OOO. The committee of the Ulema has issued a pacifying proclamation, declaring that there is no fear of a return to the foruer despotic rule. The proclamation has created an excellent impression. Despatches from Salonica to the "Neue Freie Presse" (Vienna) state that the Young Turkish Party ordered the Third Army Corps to march on Constantinople, but the officers replied that it was impossible to obey. The attitude of the troops is doubtful. The Ulema is a collective name (which cannot be used as a singular) of the body of professional Theologians and doctdrs of divinity, and therefare of law, in any Mohammedan country. They form the legal and judicial class, and interpret the Koran and the law cerived therefrom; they also constitute whatever there is in the nature of a hierarchy in l3lam, and their power and influence has often curbed the irresponsible authority of a despot. There are necessarily Ulema in every \Mohammedan city, but the most renowned are the uiema of Constantinople, of Mecca, and of the Azhar University of Cairo. The Ulema of Turkey are the best organised and possess many priviliees and immunities. They elude the readers of the public prayers at the mosqees, the doctors of the law, and the k-adia or mollar who are the regular magistrates, and are under the authority of two chief justices.

SULTAN SAID TO BE PRIME MOVER IN THE TROUBLE. SEVERAL MILITARY OFFICERS MURDERED. Received April 18, 4.35 p.m. LONDON, April 17. The Constantinople correspondent of "The Times" avows that when the Reactionaries retired, the Sultan reiterated his assurance that he would maintaia the Constitution. Viennese reports credit the Sultan with being the prime mover in the trouble. It has been discovered that several military officers connected with the committee uf the Union and Progress, were murdered early in the week. "The Times" states that seven battalions left Salonika for Constantinople, but without artillery. They will probably be met by the Parliamentary Committee and the Ulema, and dissuaded from carrying out their intention of attacking the capital.

TROOPERS NEAR CONSTANTINOPLE. Received April 19, 12.55 a.m. LONDON, April 18. Reuter's correspondent at Constantinople states that two military trains containing 1,600 infantry from Salonica has arrived at Spartskulch, T6 kilometres from Constantinople. Seven thousand are expected on Sunday, including Adrianople sympathisers. Early in the week the Committee expect 20,000 to be within striking distance of Constantinople. The Chamber sent a deputation, including two Pashas, three members of the Ulema and three deputies to meet?the\Salonica troops, hut failed to convince them that the revolution did not mean the disturbance of til* constitution.