The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-08-29
SEIZED A BANK.
Action of ReVOlutiOniStS
Causes Alarm.
Leaders Made Terms Before
They Surrendered.
They Were Given Safe Conduct Out
OF Country of the Turks.


Consrantinople. Aug 29-when the
Armenians seized the Ottoman bank on
Wednesday last Edgar Vincent and
some Of the other directors escaped to
the roof, and when the troops arrived
the latter fired hap-hazard at everybody
appearing at the windows, thus several
clerks who were trying to escape were
killed. While this hghting was proceed
ing. hundreds of Mussulmans, armed
With cudgels. and led by the Softas.
gathered in groups. overran the quarter
and killed or assaulted all the Arme-
mans they met. The scene resernbled
the riots of September, 1895 Several
shops in the Galata were plundered and
panic spread over the whole city, es-
pecially In the Pera quarter, where two
bombs were thrown into the midst of a
group of soldiers, severalof whom were
wounded. The people generally were
afraid to venture into the Streets, the
officials of the British postofice were
virtually prisoners until night and the
mail was not dispatched. The British
charge d'affalres, Michael Herbert. tele-
praphed to Tewfk Pasha, the Turkish
prompt restoration of order.
1t also appears that while the Otto
man bank was being attacked circulars
were delivered at the different embas-
sizes. signed by the Armenian revolu-
tionary committee, declaring that they
intended seizing the bank and hold Ii for
two days, during which they wanted the
powers to actively intervene in the set
tlement of the Armenian question, and
adding that II the authorities tried TO re-
capture the bank they would blow II
up with all it's securities.
Mr. Vincent went to Yildiz Kiosk
Thursday evening to see the sultan, and
while he was there a message was re-
ceived from the Tevolutionists saying
that they were willing to surrender on
condition that they were allowed to
leave the country. Mr. Vincent accord
ingly returned to the bank and parleyed
with the leaders of the Armenians
through the windows. The Armenians
had revolvers in their hands and told
him they would hold two of the directors
and a number of employees Of the bank
as hostages. and that they had seized the
bank in order TO demonstrate, not
against the Turks, nor the bank, but
against tho powers who had abandoned
the Armenians. They added that they
bad selected the Ottoman bank because
II was the most suitable place, and ex-
pressed their willingness TO surrender,
provided they were allowed to retain
their revolvers. while yielding up the
bombs In their possession and receiving
safe conduct out of the country. These
terms were agreed upon, and the Ar
nenians surrendered Thursday night
and were conveyed on board Mr.. Vim
cents yacht Gulnare.
The Gulnare was guarded all night
long by the British guardship Imogene
and two Turkish gunboats,
1t is still impossible to give the exact
number of victims OF the rloting. In the
street between Dolmabagtche and To-
planes II resembled a field of battle.
Fifty bodies were counted there.
The city is quieter. but there was some
renewal OF the disturbance yesterday
afternoon. and firing is going on in some
quarters. Houses in various quarters
have been pillaged. and Galata and Pera
are occupied by the militia. Cavalry
patrols are to be seen in all the streets,
the shops are closed and few people
venture out of their houses. In addi-
ton, there are rumors Of disturbances at
Koumkapon.
The Armenians are greatly alarmed,
and the outbreak OF the revolutionists is
generally condemned as criminal mad
ness. But the authorities are censured
for permitting the Mussulmans TO inter-
fere and attack, yet persons and the po-
lice and troops are blamed for being pas
sive onlookers at these outrages. Yes
terday, however, several groups OF Turks
were disarmed.
A Setback
Athens. Aug. 29-It is stated here
that, owing TO the recent riots in Con-
stantinople, the suAan has postponed
his final reply on tte Cretan question.
The British consul at Herakllon, fearing
the consequences. has applied 20 her
majesty's steamship Hood, and asked
protection for himself and for the Eng
lish residents of Crete.
Situation at Zanzibar.
Zanzibar, Aug. 29.-The fire at the
palace has now been quenched and the
sailors from the British squadron are
removing the debris The flagship st.
George viii remove most OF the guns
belonging to the sultan's batteries.