The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-11-12
Strong Forces Will Have to Be
Used to Suppress Anarchy in
Eastern Provinces.
MORE TROUBLE FOR THE PORTE
While the Demands of the Powers
Are Increased Warships Are
Assem- bling.

ern provinces has grown measurably since
the demands for reforms were made upon
the Sultan by Great Britain, France and
Russia. The Sultan's very evident incli-
nation to refuse to grant the demands, or
at least to defer giving definite answer to
the representatives OF the powers, en-
couraged the Kurds to believe that the
Sultan tacitly supported them in their
attacks upon the Armenians. Color has
been lent to this belief by the action of the
Sultan in giving good service decorations
TO several officials who were notoriously in
favor of exterminating the Armenians and
who gave their sanction to the massacres
that have led Turkey to the verge of dis
memberment.
The hurds have assumed such an atti-
tude of disregard to all authority that it
is believed here that the officials are now
powerless TO stop them from continuing
their massacring and piIlaging.
Advices from the Eastern provinces show
that the condition of anarchy is such that
q very strong force will have TO be en-
ployed if any progress at all is to be made
against the Kurds. The Porte apparently
understands this fact, for it is announced
to-day that 10000 troops will be sent
against the Kurds. Should the latter offer
resistance it is doubtful if even this force
would be sufficiently strong to cope with
the kurds, whose intimate knowledge of
the mountainous country would stand
them in good stead in opposing the Turk
ish troops.
In spite Of the bad financial condition of
the Government, which is now in arrears
in the pay of the reserves already called
out, it has been decided to summon more
reserves for service. 1t is doubtful if the
Governments scheme can be effected
owing to the scarcity OF money, but at any
rate the attempt will be made owing to
the continued demand of the powers that
the Porte restore order forthwith.
Stories OF the ravages committed by the
Kurds continue to be received here. It is
said that in Erzeroum and Sivas whole
districts have been devastated by the
marauding Kurds. A traveller, who has
arrived at Trebizond from Erzeroum,
states that when he was approaching
Baiburt he met 800 women, who, IN their
extremity, knelt before him and implored
protection, declaring that their husbands,
fathers and brothers had been killed and
that there were no males of their race who
could save them from either dishonor or
death.
The revolt of the Druies in Hauran is
assuming a most serious aspect. The agi-
tation against the authorities is extending
and the rebels are gaining many accessions.
An official dispatch that has been made
public says that thanks to the energetic
measures that have been taken by the I'M
perial officials, the disturbances and re-
volts which Oppur in cartair roarfS of eia
Minor. and which had their origin in the
sedftious intngues of Armenian agitators,
have been partly subdued.
The seditious intrigues of Armenian
agitators have been everywhere sup
pressed, and order restored in all the dis
tricts which were recently the scene of the
riots and conflicts. Measures have been
taken to insure that peace will
be maintained. 1t is stated that
Bahri Pasha will be appointed to
the command of the troops in the
Saitoun district Bahri Pasha was
formerly Vail of Van, but was dismissed
from that Office in consequence of the
representations by Sir Philip Currie, the
British Embassador, that he was in good
measure responsible for the outrages COM
mitted on the Armenians in that district.
That his removal was made against the in
clination OF the Sultan is a matter of COM
mon knowledge and his Majesty took the
earliest opportunity to show that he ap-
proved of his acts as Vail. A day or SO
ago Bahri was decorated by the Sultan for
the good services he had rendered the
Government, and now comes the evidently
well-founded report that he will be given
an i'm mportant command of troops nomi-
nally employed to protect the Armenians.
Mr.. Hampson, the British Vice Consul.
has appointed twenty persons to resume
the distribution of relief at Sassoun.
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