The record-union., 1895-06-06
EUROPEANS SEEKING SAFETY ON
BOARD VESSELS
AnimosIty Aroused by the Quarantine
ernment Has Been Compelled to
Take ut Mecca, at the Instance Of
the Powers, and Also Because OF
the Arrest of Bedouins Charged
With Assaultin. Consular Officers.

| Mecca and the scene of the recent muir
derous assault on the consular officers OF
Great Britain, Russia and France, an
nounce that panic prevails there, as it
| is feared the Bedouins will attack the
town. The latter are held responsible foI
the attack upon the Consuls which re-
suited in the death of the British Vice
Consul, and number were arrested IN
consequence. This has caused an angry
feeling among the Bedouins, who de-
mand the release of those apprehended
and threaten to use force If their demand
is not complied with.
The situation IS so serious that the Eu-
ropeans of Jeddah are hastily seeking
refuge on board of merchant vessels iD
the harbor, taking all they possibly can
of their belongings.
1t is also stated that the arrival of the
British Mediterranean squadron number
ing seventeen war ships OF various
classes is anxiously expected at Jeddah,
even by the Turkish authorities, as the
garrison is very weak.
AnimOslty has also been aroused by
the quarantine measures which the Turk
ish Government has been compelled TO
take at Mecca. at the instance of the Pow
ers, in order to prevent the introduction
OF cholera into northern ports by the re-
turn of infected pilgrims from Mecca.
In fact, it is believed that the sanitary
measures were the local cause OF the at
tack upon the ConsulS. The measures
referred to were quite recently taken
under severe pressure of the Powers and
at the instance of the Turkish Interna-
tional Councils of Health, for the purpose
of cleansing the holy places frequented
annually by SO many thousands OF pill
RrimS.
These sanitary improvements began in
April last at Jeddah and at other towns
of the pilgrim district of Arabia, and
! they include the building of hospitals,
the frequent disiniection of the resorts Of
pilgrins, the disintectlon by the health
offices OF the camping places, furnishing
wholesome supplies of water and provis-
ions, and general sanitary supervision
over the pilgrims. 10 this new order OF
things the latter have strongly objected,
| looking upon it as an unwarranted inter-
| ference OH the part of the Europeans in
their religious customs, and it is feared
that the so-called holy men are exciting
| the pilgrims against the Europeans, be-
lieving that their old time privileges and
| profits will be swept away if the march
OF sanitation is not stopped.
! The envoys Of Great Britain, Russia
| -
| structions from their Governments in re-
| gard to the situation of affairs at Jeddah,
] as well as regarding the refusal of the
| Turkish Government, to agree TO the re-
! forms in Armenia which nave been pro-
posed by the Powers. In this connection
the situation of the affairs is unchanged.
| The Porte's reply. however, is regarded
momentary success tor the military
party. On the other hand, the policy of
| Turkey in this matter is criticised by the
! Ottoman statesmen, who regret the
Porte's action as disastrous to Turkey.
THE CRISIS IN THE EAST GRAVE.
| LONDON, June 5.-There was much ex-
| element in London about the Foreign
| Office yesterday on the receipt of the
| official dispatches concerning the dis
| patches from Constantinople announcing
! that the Turkish Government had re-
| fused to agree to reforms in Armenia,
which were demanded by the representa-
| lives OF Great Britain, France and Russia
| All the Foreign Office officials, including
| the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs,
the Earl of Kim berley, were attheir posts
| last night. and have assembled again at
| the Foreign Office to-day.
| There is a strong belief in well-in-
| formed circles here that the reply OF the
| Porte was purposely drafted in untavof-
able terms in order to gain time. The
| Sultan is invisible during the Sairam,
| one of two great MOhammedan festivals
of the year, which is now being observed.
| Consequently the Powers, it is asserted
here, will now address stronger note to
the Porte, and III addition will back this
| up by a naval demonstration.
The crisis in the East is already re-
garded on all sides as being grave, and
! this feeling is intensified by the news
| from Constantinople to-day, telling OF the
panic at Jeddah, the threatened attack OF
| The Bedouins and the hight OF Europeans,
who are seeking safety on board the ves-
sells in the harbor. 1t is freely predicted
| here that an outbreak is inevitable. There
is no question of the Powers abating
| their demands in any form, although
there is growing belief that Russia is
| backing Turkey in the latter's refusal to
agree to the reform demanded by the
| Powers for Armenia.
The full text of the demands of the
| powers will be published here to-day. 1t
| makes over 5000 words. and the main
points of it have already been cabled.
| The note of the powers in this connection
| makes twelve distinct suggestions or de-
| mands in regard to Armenian reforms, as
| follows: The eventual reduction of the
| number of vilayets; guarantees for the
| selection of Wallis or Governors; amnesty
for Armenian political prisoners; return
| of Armenian exiles to their homes; final
| settlement for common law crimes: the
inspection of prisons; the appointment of
high commissioner to supervise the re-
forms; the creation of permanent COM
mittee OF control at COnstantinople; in
| demnity to the Sassoun and other victims
| of the recent massacreS; regulation of re-
| ligious conversions; maintenance of the
Armenians' rights and privileges; posi-
| ton of the Armenians In other vilayets of
Asiatic Turkey to be regulated on the
| same basis.
THE REVOLT IN CUBA.
An Expedition Being Fitted Out to
Aid the Rebels.