Evening star., 1895-06-05
Fears That the Bedouins Will At
tack the Town.
RELEASE OF PRISONERS DEMANDED
Seeking Refuge on the Merchant
Vessels.
AWAITING THE WARSHIPS

CONSTANTINOPLE, June 5.-Advices re-
oeived here from Jiddah, Arabia, the sea-
port of Mecca, and the scene of the recent
'murderous assault on the consular officers
of Great Britain, Russia and France an
nounce that a panic prevails there and
that it is feared the Bedouins will attack
the town.
The latter are held responsible for the at
tack upon the consuls, which resulted in
the death of the British vice consul, and a
number Of them were arrested in conse-
quence. This has caused an angry feeling
among the Bedouins, who demand the re-
lease of those apprehended, and threaten
to use force if their demand is not complied
with.
The situation Is SO serious that the
Europeans of Jiddah are hastily seeking
refuge on board the merchant vessels in
the harbor. taking with them all they pos
sibly can of their belongings. 1t is also
stated in the advices from Jiddah that the
arrival there of the British Mediterranean
squadron, numbering seventeen warshipS
of various classes. is anxiously expected
even by the Turkish authorities, as the
garrison Is very weak.
Cause of the Assault.
In addition to the arrest of those who are
supposed to be connected with the assaults
upon the foreign consuls, Bedouin animos-
ity has been aroused by the quarantine
measures which the Turkish government
has been compelled to take at Mecca at
the instance of the powers. in order to pre-
vent the introduction of cholera into north
ern ports by the return of infected pilgrims
from Mecca. In fact, 1t is believed that
these sanitary measures were the real
cause of the attack upon the consuls.
The measures referred to were quite re-
Gently taken, under severe pressure from
the powers and at the instance of the
Turkish international council of health,
for the purpose of cleansing the holy places
frequented annually by SO many thousands
Of pilgrims.
Sanitary improvements.
These sanitary improvements began in
April last at Jiddah and all other towns Of
the Hejaz or pilgrim district of Arabia, and
they include the building of hospitals, the
frequent disinfection of the places resorted
to by pilgrims, the selection by the health
officers of the camping places, furnishing
wholesome supplies of water and provis-
ions and general sanitary supervision over
the pilgrims To this new order of things
the latter have been strongly objecting,
looking upon 1t as an unwarranted inter-
ference upon the part of Europeans in their
religious customs, and it is feared that the
so-called holy men are exciting the pilgrims
against the Europeans, believing that their
old-time privilege and profits will be swept
away If the march of sanitation Is not
stopped.
Awaiting Advices.
The ENJOYS of Great Britain, Russia and
France in this city are awaiting instruc-
tions from their governments in regard to
the situation Of affairs at Jiddah, as well
as regarding the refusal of the Turkish
government (as exclusively cabled to the
Associated Press yesterday afternoon) to
agree to the reforms in Armenia which
have been proposed by the powers.
In this connection the situation of affairs
Is unchanged. The porte's reply, however,
is regarded as momentary success for the
military party. On the other hand, the
policy of Turkey in this matter is criticised
by the Ottoman statesmen, who regard the
porte's action as disastrous to Turkey.