Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1895-06-10
4 PANIC At JIDDAH.
nhabita nts of the Arabian Town
Seek Refuge on Merchant
Ships,

ConstantinopIe, June 5.-Advices re-
ceived here from Jiddah, a seaport of
Mecca and the scene of the recent MUIR.
derous 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 response
bic for the attack upon the cOnsulS, which
resulted in the death Of the British vice
consul, and a number of them We're ar
rested in consequence. This has caused
an angry feeling among the Bedoulns, who
demand the release of those apprehended
and who threaten to use force if their de-
mand is not complied with.
The situation is SO serious that the Eu-
ropeans of Jiddah are hastily seeking
refuge on board the merchant vessels in
the harbor, taking with them all they
possibly can of their belongings 1t is
also stated in the advices from Jiddah
that the arrival there of the British Med
iterranean squadron, numbering seven
teen WarShips of various classes, is anX-
iously awaited. even by the Turkish au-
thorities, as the garrison is very weak.
In addition to the arrest of those supposed
to have been connected with the assault
of the foreign consuls, animosity has been
aroused by the quarantine measures
which the Turkish government has been
compelled to take at Mecca at the in
stance of the powers, in order to prevent
the introduction of cholera into northern
ports by the return of infected pilgrims
from Mecca.
Object to Quarantine Measures.
In fact it is believed that these SAM
tary measures were the real cause of the
attack upon their consuls. The measures
referred to were quite recently taken I'M
der severe pressure of the powers and
at the instance of the Turkish information
al councils of health for the purpose of
cleansing the holy places frequented an
nually by SO many thousands of pilgrims.
These sanitary improvements began in
April last at Jiddah and at other towns Of
the Hojaz or pilgrim district of Arabia,
and they included the building of hospi-
tails, the frequent d.sinfection of the
places resorted to by pilgrims. the selec
ton by the health officers of the camping
places, furnishing wholesome supplies of
water and provisions and general SAM
tary supervision over the pilgrims. To
this new order of things the latter have
strongly objected, looking upon it as
unWarranted interference 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
privileges and profits will be swept away
if the march of sanitation is not stopped.
The ENJOYS Of Great Britain, Russia
and France in this city are awaiting in
structions from their governments in re-
gard 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 Ar
menia which have been proposed by the
powers. In this connection the situation
of affairs, is unchanged. The Porte's
reply, however, is regarded as a momen-
tary success for the military party. On
the other hand the policy of Turkey in
this matter is criticized by the Ottoman
statesmen who regarded the Porte's
action as disastrous to Turkey.
French officer Stabbed.
In a dispute here today between
Turkish officer and the officers of
French steamer regarding the baggage,
the former drew his sword and wounded
one of the French officers. The Turkish
official was arrested. The French en-
bassy promptly demanded satisfaction
from the Turkish government and the
latter agreed that the Turk should be
tried by French law.
London, June 5.-There was much ex-
element in London and at the foreign
Office yesterday evening on the receipt of
official dispatches confirming the dis
patches of the Associated press from Con-
stantinople announcing that the Turkish
government had refused to agree to re-
forms in Armenia which were demanded
by the representatives of Great Britain,
France and Russia The crisis in the
East is already regarded on all sides as
being grave and this feeling is intensified
by the news from Constantinople today
tellingiof the panic at Jiddah. 1t is freely
predicted here that an outbreak is inev-
liable. There is no question of the
powers abating their demands in any
form although there is a growing belief
that Russia is backing Turkey in the lat
ter's refusal to agree to the reforms de-
manded by the powers for Armenia.