The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-10-05
ABOUT SoFTAS.
And the Power Which They Command
In Turkey.
GREATLY FEARED BY THE SULTAN
Because of Previous MurderouS
Demonstrations.

CoNsTANTINoPLE, Oct. 5.-The city is
now tranquil, although IL Is still patroled
by troops and police, and there is yet much
apprehension among the Armcnians. The
Softas were especially guilty OF great ex-
cesses on Tuesday, especially during tho
raid on the Armenian quarter, which they
made Mt night.
At Tookurtchesmo near Stamboul the
students and populace broke into an Ar
menian building, killing Is persons and
wounding 35 others. In addition, IL is
said that they immediately conveyed tho
bodies to the shore and threw them into
the sea.
There was another fierce fight in an Ar
menlan cafe at Scutari, during which sew
eral persons were killed and wounded on
both sides.
At Hasskoin. number OF Armenian
houses were broken into and sacked by
the Softas, who killed a number Of Ar
menians inhabitinR those buildings. On
the other hand. at Karqheumruk, near
Stamboul, revolvcrs were fred from the
windows of Armenian houses, and all the
Armenian inhabitants were arrested
Owing TO the threats OF the Softas, the
Armenian college at Galaeta has been
closed.
The arrests OF Armenians continue to be
made In all parts Of the city, and the
police arc making domiciliary visits whero-
ever the Armenians live and arc searching
all the Armenian stores,
There was further trouble yesterday at
Tophane, during which about 40 persons
were wounded.
The Softas' Power.
The Softas, who are leading the present
riots In Constantinoplc, have been en-
gagged in various demonstrations before.
On May ~, 1876, the Softas assembled To
the number Of 5000 and send dcputation
10 the sultan demanding the removal OF
the grand vizier. The sultan was COM
pelled to accede. Again i'm 1877 the Turk
ish capital was practically under their
sway. A demonstration against the
chamber OF deputies and the palace was
participated In by about 1000 Softas.
The sultan, thoroughly frightened,
crossed over to Scutari on the Asiatic
side, and remained there until the crowds
had been dispersed by the military and a
state of siege had been proclaimed. Many
people were wounded during the melee,
general CONSERVATION rcigncd. the Chris
tians fed from the city, and many of the
Europeans sought safety on board the
ships.
On both these occasions the demon
stations led 10 changes being made in the
Turkish ministry. Tsis, 1t appears, is
again likely to be the fssult Before the
massacre apd disbandment OF the Janis
saries in 1928 that famous corps used fire.
quently TO bring about the deposition OF
obnoxious ministers, and several times
the reigning sultan himself was over
thrown and put TO death through their
agency. From 1925 down TO 1876, how
ever, the Ottaman rulers had never yielded
to q popular demonstration Of any sort.
who They Are.
The Softas are, properly speaking, the
pupils who are engaged in the study Of
Mussulman theology and law In the me-
dresses OF schools attached TO the mosques,
the range of their studies, however, being
practically limited TO learning to read the
Koran. The Softas take their name from
a corruption of the past participle soukhte
--burned-applied TO them because they
are supposed to be consumed by the love
of study of sacred things and devoted to a
life Of meditation.
The term Sofia, as used In the tele-
grams, includes all the grades, from the
imaum, or priest. to the Sofia proper, or
mere student OF the Koran. They are
usually distinguishable in Turkey by
wearing white turban around their fez,
or skull cap. Sultan Abdul Medjid some
years ago endeavorcd TO induce his sub
jects to wear European dress, and sue
ceeded so far that almost without cxcep-
tion everyone except the very lowest in the
public service adopted II. But the Softas
to man retain the old-fashioncd baggy,
slouchy dress which Abdul Medjid wished
to get rid OF.
Armcnians Hurting Themselves
LONDON, Oct 5.-Foreigu officials have
expressed the opinion that the disturb
anccs at Constantinople will seriously en-
barrass the powers In their efforts to bring
about reform in Armenia. They hold
that heavy responsibility rests upon the
Armenians for preclpitating the riots Mt
Constantinople, and tho opinion Is gain
ing ground that tho. recent events
there have caused n revolution OF feeling
throughout Europe. and those who were
urging their governments to take imme-
diate steps to deliver the Armenians from
oppression begin to see distinctly that
there is another side to the question.
The Berlin correspondent of The Stand
ard telegraphs to that paper that he learns
privately that the number OF Turks killed
on Monday In the riots at Constantinople
was 4S and Of Armenians Ill. The num-
Der of wos!Hded on both sides was several
hundred.
Peru's Grievance.
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