The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-11-14
THE PoRTE's DIFFICULTIES.

fCopyright, 1870, Dy the Associated PreSS.b
CoNSTANTINOPLE. Nov. 1s.-The Turk
ish Minister for Foreign Affairs. Tewfik
Pasha, replied to-day to the notes of the
diplomatic representatives of Great Britain,
Russia and France, assuring them, as he
had previously assured the ambassadors of
Germany, Austria and Italy that the Turk
ish governments statement as to what
measures it intends to take for the sup
preston Of the disorder in Asia Minor will
be presented to the ambassadors without
delay" Another complication seems likely
to arise which may give the Sultan further
excuse for inaction. The Hall Rafat Minis
try is said to be tottering, and another
Cabinet change is likely to occur at any
time.
The rumors concerning the possible depo-
sition of Abdul Hamid are still current, but
the statement that the imperial yacht is
lying off the palace with steam up, inti-
mating that the Sultan is preparing to seek
safety in flight. is weak fabrication. The
imperial yacht is sadly out of repair, and
Is laid up for the winter The statement
published in the United States that there
has been trouble at Angora and Palu and
that one thousand Armenians have been
massacred, is also clumsy invention. No
news of disturbance OF any kind has
reached here from Angora or Palu.
In the meanwhile, fresh disturbances are
reported from Malatiah where number of
persons have been killed, including four
priests of the Society of Jesus, who were
under French protection. The French en-
bassador VI. Cambon. has been appealed to,
and is preparing very strong representa-
ton on the subject for the Porte. a squad
the Piraeus for Turkish waters, and it is
stated that an Italian feet will rendezvous
with the British feet within few days.
There has been most serious trouble at
Caesarea, not far from Jerusalem but no
details of the rioting there have yet reached
this CITY.
the Kurdish movement. All those who can
do are fleeing from the city and neighbor-
hood Many people are reported to have
been robbed and murdered while fleeing.
The Kurds are said to be in arms through
out the district. Troops are it is claimed
by the authorities, being hurried to the
spot.
Replying to the inquiries of the United
States ambassador. Mr.. Alexander Terrell.
as to the safety of American missionaries,
Commissioner Darnham has autographed
from Harput saying that the missionaries
are alive but in extreme danger. Mr.. Ter
rell has Informed Tewfk Pasha that the
government will be held responsible for the
safety of the Americans. The Turkish
Minister for Foreign Affairs has assured
Mr.. Terrell that everything possible will be
done for their protection. As Mr.. Terrell
has great influence with the palace author
tiles. II may be presumed that Tewfik Pasha
Will keep his word.
BATTALION OF TURKS. CAPTURED.
The most serious state OF affairs still
prevails at Zeitouu, where the Armenians
recently captured a battalion of Turkish
troops, with their arms, ammunition and
supplies, and afterwards occupied the bar
racks and all the strategic positions in and
about that city. The government is striv-
ing very hard 10 prevail ON the Armenans
there TO lay down their arms, promising
that they shall not be in any way molested
II they return to their homes and surrender
the. Turkish soldiers they hold prisoners,
have SO frequently been the victims of SIM
liar promises that X is not considered likely
that they will give up their prisoners or the
positions they hold. In this case some des-
perate fighting may shortly take place. as
large force Of Turkish regulars and re-
serves is moving rapidly upon Zeitoun. The
captured soldiers. II is known have been
we'll treated by the Armenians. much to the
surprise of the AUTHORIZES here, who ex-
pected that they would be killed.
The Turkish Minister for the Interior
Memduh Pasha, has issued instructions to
the provincial officials TO carefully watch
all public conveyances passing in and out
arms, ammunition and seditious literature
| quantities OF which are reported to have
been smuggled into different parts of the
empire recently. The Turkish officials claim
that some Armenians recently captured In
| arms against the Sultan had Russian rifles
and ammunition in their possession. This
is not thought extraordinary here as II
Armenians have been obtaining arms from
| the Russian provinces. But the Turks are
| trying to make much of this in their usual
| tactics OF playing one country against an
other.
The distribution of revolutionary litera-
ture throughout Asia Minor is being carried
<<E <l,<
tions taken by the Turkish governors. and
not a day passes without fncendiary pia-
cards being torn down by the police here
and in all the big cities. There seems tO
be no doubt that the spirit OF revolution
is spreading even among the old Turks, and
the young Turk party is said to be ripe
| for revolt
The greatest trouble under which the
Porte seems TO be laboring is the diff
Guilty 1t is experiencing in carrying out the
military measures decided on in Asia Minor
| The financial situation here Is pretty nearly
as bad as it can be. and there seems to be
no possibility of improving 1T. Even sup
| pose a big new Turkish loan could he
raised. which Is unlikely. the money would
as usual. it is believed, be turned into other
| than legitimate channels and in short
time the situation would be as bad as
ever. This condition of affairs is partfcu-
| larly aggravating on account of the spread
! of the revolts In certain provinces, particu-
! larly in Syria. where the Redifs, who We're
recently called on to join the army, stub
bornly refuse to leave their houses. 1t il
/ claimed in official Turkish circles here that
1 the refusal of the Redifs to join the colors
! is due TO their fear of being attacked by
/ the Druses: but the real reason seems tc
/ be that they are almost certain to have
| to. serve without pay and on short rations
| The government is undoubtedly in a very
! bad position, and. as already intimated
>another change of Ministry Is impending
she army needs money for pay, equipment
and provisions. and the same state of af
! fairs prevails In the navy But the arrears
| of pay are not forthcoming. and there i:
much grumbling in consequence. except
among the palace troops. The latter are
kept we'll fed. well paid and comfortably
/ idle for on them depends the safety o.
| Abdul Hamid. who. as is we'll known, !!
| in hourly dread of assassination. Under
| that the army and navy are becoming dis
affected. and nobody would be astonishet
| to hear that they have sided with the revo
/ lutionists should the expected uprising take
| place. Ii is now believed that the power.
| Will not take definite action against ths
! Porte until all the naval squadrons have
assembled In Turkish waters, which will b,
about the time that the British embassa
| dor to Turkey. Sir Philip Currie, returns
here after consulting with his government
! as 80 the future action of Great Britain
/ In the meanwhile. the state of suspense IL
decidedly wearying and the ambassador,
4 Themselves will be greatly relieved wher
| the hour for action on the part of Europ.
! arrives. Nobody doubts that this time II
/ ccming: IL now seems to be only a ques
| ton of days.
MISSIONARIES IN PERIL,
But whether Any Americans Hav'