The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-11-29
WAR is NEAR.
The Situation in Armenia Looks
Much Blacker.
Sultan Refuses Passage Of "PoW-
ers" GunbOats.
SITUATION ALARMING.
A Crisis Expected in a Very
Few Hours.
The Sultan Completely Loses
His Head-Figuratively.

CoNsTANTENoPLE, Nov. 29.-Via Sofa,
Bulgaria, Nov. 29.-The political situa-
ton is critical, and the crisis may be ex-
pected within the ensuing "a hours.
The Sultan, who is once more under
the influence of the palace party, led by
Izzel Bey, still declines to grant the fir
mans applied for by the representa-
tives of Great Britain, Russia. Italy and
Austria. for the passage of the extra
guardships through the straits of the
D4rdanelles-
1t would seem that while the Turkish
ministers are apparently in favor of
granting the frmans, 1.-The palace party"
priests, chamberlains and others, who
are the real advisers of Abdul Hamid,
are opposed to it as calculated to lower
the dignity of the sultan. Meantime the
Mussulmans are growing uneasy, look
ing upon the threatened advent of the
extra guardships as not having less than
warlike demonstration before Constan-
tinople. The sultan has again made an
evasive reply to the British ambassadors
representations on the subject.
But Sir Philip Currie, when assured
by Tewfik Pasha that the firmans would
be forthcoming, promptly telegraphed to
the admiral in command of the British
Mediterranean squadron, instructing
him to des patch a gunboat to the Darda-
nelles to be used in the Bosphorus as an
extra guardship at the disposal of the
British embassy. As a result the twin
screw torpedo gunboat Dryad 1.070 tons
carrying two four pound finch and four
ak FOUNDER quick firing guns, was dis
patched to the DardanelIes, and it is ex-
pected to arrive at Channakil today and
pass right on to the Bosphorus.
The failure of the porte to grant per-
mission for the passage of the straits of
the Dardanelles, thus puts Sir Philip
Currie in a somewhat embarrassing po-
sition, the only escape from which is to
order away the Dryad or TO insist that
she be allowed to pass in, backing up the
order by force, if that should be neces-
sary.
The sultan is known to be in a state of
the greatest agitation at the news that
the extra British gunboat is heading for
the Dardanelies on the strength of the
assurances given the British ambassador
by the minister of foreign affairs. and
consequently the position of Tewtk
Pasha is not a pleasant one. The latter
was sent for at midnight and an exciting
interview took place between him and
the sultan, during which the latter Bit
terIy and tearfully reproached Tewfk
Pasha for his action in the matter.
The sultan insisted that it was impos-
sible to issue the firmans as it would
cause rioting in Constantinople, and In
structed Tewfik Pasha to do everything
passible to induce the British ambassa-
dor to countermand his order for the gun
boat Sir Philip, however. refused to
do so saying he was tired of being trihed
with.
Tewfk Pasha returned to the palace
in a very unen viable frame of mind and
announced the failure of his mission to
the sultan. The latter is said to have
been frantic with rage and drove Tew-
fix from his presence with fercs revil-
ings.
The president of the state council,
Said Pasha, who is supposed to have
some influence with Sir Philip Currie,
was thereupon hurriedly sent for, and
reached the apartments of the sultan
after 1:30 a. N. Abdul Hamid eagerly
besought him to 60 Immediately to the
British ambassa ador and spare no effort TO
induce him to recall the order of the
Dryad.
Abdul Hamid appears to have com
pletely lost his head, the public service
is entirely disorganized. the cabinet min
listers are being sent for from the palace
at all hours Of the day and night and
may be said to be in almost constant at
tendance at the Yildiz Kiosk. Every
body is anxious and worried, the en-
bassadors being as tired as everybody
else here at the long months of almost
fruitless efforts to induce the sultan to
really govern his empire with some de-
gree Of common sense,
The little news received here from
Asiatic Turkey only tends to make the
situation look blacker. The hurrying of
troops to Syria and Palestine continues
and their is no doubt that the rebellious
Druses will have to submit to heavy
reckoning with the Turks for their up
rising. The flames of holy war always
among the Mussulmans, are
being dangerously famed, and may at
any time burst forth into a coafa-
grafton which will compel all
Europe to take a hand in saving the |
lives and property of many thousands of
christians. A stray shot, sharp blow |
may explode the powder magazine with
which the weak minded Abdul has been |
toying SO long.