The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-12-14
BRIEF REIGN OF TERROR.
Details OF the Panic at stambouis
Galafa and Perm.

copyright, 1895, by the Associated Press)
CONSTANTINOPLE. Dec. II. via Sofa.
Bulgaria, Dec. 13.-There was a disturbance
in Stamboul to-day and 1t caused the spread
Of rumors so alarming that Galata and
Pera were soon I'm state Of panic and
serious outbreaks were threatened. This,
in view OF the passage through the Oar
danelles of the British gunboat Dryad and
the Italian gunDoat Archimede. the extra
guard ships for the British and Italian en-
bassies, formed the basis for the report
that the rioting predicted by the Yildiz
Kiosk courtiers had actually commenced.
but happily, the trouble was not OF q
serious nature, although the Armenians.
as usual are accused OF having attempted
to bring about an uprising Of the pe2.llace-
The panic this morning, however. was
most extraordinary occurrence and il strik-
ing evidence of the nervousness ana ap-
prehension which prevail here as one OF
the results of long-drawn-out negotia-
tions between the powers and the Sultan
regarding the suppression OF the outbreaks
in Asiatic Turkey and the admittance OF
the extra guard ships into tie Bosphorus.
The least note or alarm now sufices to
produce widespread terror and IL proof was
needed that the powers were right In their
insistence on having additional protection
for the population OF constantinople and
its vicinity ii was furnished by the oc-
currences OF to-day.
Simmered down to bare facts. the cause
of the panic was. on the face OF 1t. a fierce
quarrel between two Armenisns IN the
Stamboul quarter. during which they came
to blows. Finally one OF the Armenians
drew revolver and fired at his opponent.
The shot was the signal for an uproar. a
stampede Of the spectators, end. eventual
ly, panic, which spread far and wide
from one end OF the city 10 the other
until matters began TO look very serious
indeed. The Armenians and other Chris
tions. terrified by the shouting and yelling.
the rushing here $ and $s,,te there ,ns OF excited cited
massacre had commenced. They hurriedly
closed their shops and houses. barricaded
the doors and windows, concealed their
most valuable belongings In various ways
and made all the preparations possible for
defense. The women, as well as the men.
the recent domiciliary visits OF the police.
who searched the Armenian residences
high and low for concealed weapons and
left these unfortunate people very little
10 fall back on for defense in case or an
uprising OF the Mussulmans The example
OF the Armenians OF Stsmboul I'm hurriedly
closing their shops, etc, was followed ia
street after street until, I'm the briefest
period of time imaginable, every shop was
shut and nearly all the houses were BARI
caded Crowds OF people. male and female.
old and Young. were seized with terror.
which grew I'm strength as time wore on
and the confusion increased. People ned
hither and thither airnlessly, apparently
unaware OF what they were doing, not
knowing what had actually happened. but
with the general impression that a mas
sacre was In progress somewhere
IL is dificult TO describe to those uneo-
quainted with the vagaries OF the popqls-
ton OF this city and who are not familiar
with the state o. nervous tension which
has existed here for months past the scene
al nw1 xrr4.W
prevailed here at the height OF the excite
ment tbs morning. Every man seen ia
the streets seemed to have lost his head
for the time and IL would not have needed
much more 10 have actually preciptated q
terrible outbreak. The ordinary police ON
cials. as we'll as the military police who
have been patrolling the streets since the
last outbreak here, seemed 10 be among
the first TO catch the panic; for they hur-
ried to their different headquarters n
obeying orders previously given and IL was
not until the alarm began 10 subside that
they reappeared and busted themselves with
From stamboul the reign OF terror swept
TO Galata and Pera. carried onward by
the panic-stricken. fugitives from the first
named quarter, who were evidently under
the impression that they were fleeing for
their lives. TIE inhabitants OF Galata
turn shut their stores and houses and
Joined in the scene or confusion, an ex-
ample which was promptly followed BY the
fleeing through the streets In terror caused
others 10 do the same. until the air was
filed with excited cries and the noise OF
a rushing multitude. Those who did not
join In the stampede barricaded themselves
within their houses and prepared TO see
their most horrible fears realized The Ar
menian porters, when the alarm first
spread, hastily dropped their loads in the
streets and fed 10 the nearest places OF
safety. Drivers deserted their horses. mules
or donkess. servants ran away from their
employers. many sought refuge In The
churches and mosques, the OLD and feeble
were trsrnpled on and many were severe
" injured during the reign OF terror-<Wom-
en- sobbed and children cried With feo1