The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1896-10-27

For the Purpose Of Aiming Mus
sulmans-- The Ambassadors
Protest.
Protest.

CoNsrANT1HoPLE Via Sofa, Bulgnria),
oct. 27.-The report shat trouble of a
serious nature Is brewing here has so
often been sent out that any fresh ar
nouncement to that effect is looked
upon as having little or no foundation
in fact. But in spite of this, 1t Is but
right to state once more that everything
points to further and very serious
trouble preparing on al SIDES through
out the Turkish empire.
The lall was sent rolling on Wednes-
day last when the sultan signed two
trades Vhich were issued the next day,
levying q poll tax of 5 piastres per
head on all Mussulmans and increasing
the taxes ON sheep, public works and by
l to 10 per cent, the funds so raised to
be devoted to military purposes.
This caused the representatives of the
powers TO SEND a collective note to the
porte couched in the strongest language,
calling attention to the danger that the
awning of the Mussulmans was certain
TO create and pointing out generally
the critical situation of affairs in the
Turkish empire. But large purchases
of arms have already been made, and
the danger increases hourly.
The porte has sent a note to the col
lective note of the ambassadors. AS
usual, however, 1t was an evaslve an
swer, and in substance simply stated
that the money derived from the addi-
tlonal taxes was only intended to COM
plete the armament of the Mustafus or
landstrum, the third and last class Of
the Turkish army reserves. and to
strengthen the armament OF the other
land forces Of the sultan, which
consists Of Nizam, or regular
army and its active reserve the
Redif, or landwehr, and the Mustah-
fus, have already referred to. Con-
scripts in Turkey serve six years in the
Nizam, four with the colors and two
in the reserve. They then serve eight
years in the Rediff, four in the first
class and four III the second. Then they
complete their twenty years service by
serving six years in the M~ustahfus.
The action of the Turkish govern.
ment in completing the armament Of
the Mustahfus indicates that the EN-.
pire is facing o situation which may
necessitate the calling forth of all the
military force at its disposal, and it
also indicates that the situation is the
gravest since the RussO-Turkish war.
Under these circumstances it is bat
natural that considerable uneasi-
ness prevails. OF course there is
always IN view the probability
at least that the sultan by these move
ments is simply seeking to detract the
attention of his subjects from the ac-
tual state of affairs brought about by
his mal-administration and that seeing
that the powers are really in earnest
and that an understanding between
Russia, France and Great Britain
means decisive action, he is by>these
ornaments practically threatening a
Wholesale massacre of the Christians
aud announcing that Turkey will resist
70 the utmost any attempt at armed
coercion.
Happily, there is one feature of the
crisis that has a soothing influence upon
Abdul Hamid. This is the financial
situation. 1t is about as bad as it pos.
s!bly can be. All negotiations upon
the part of the Turkish govern.
ment for a temporary loan have failed,
and the condit,on of the treasury is one
Of utter helplessness. On top of this
the price of bread has risen 40 per cent,
and bids fair to rise still higher as the
price of wheat goes up. This has de.
cidedly aggravated the prevailing dis
tress and its consequent discomfort
The police contiue making arrests, anG
II is understood that many more bomb.
have been found.
In Armenia the greatest apprehen
sion exists. The echoes of the recen,
massacre in the city of Egin are JUS
reaching here, in spite of the effort.
made by the porte to suppress anything
but the official news.