San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1896-09-12
SULTAN MUST GO.
BRITISH FLEET EDGING TOWARD
CONsTANTINOPLE.
A Crisis Surely at Hand and the Next
Few Hours May Decide the Fate
Of all Europe

ConStantinople, Sept. IL, via Sofia,
Bulgaria, Sept. 12.-COpyrighted by
Associated Press.-A feeling of the
greatest anxiety prevails in all cir
cles here. There is no doubt a crisis
of great gravity has been reached
and that the Powers are discussing
the deposition of the sultan, that be-
ing apparently the only means of re-
storing quiet and confidence within
the Turkish empire.
4 British fleet of about fifteen war
ships is off the island of TahsoS and
within easy $ triking distance should
an emergency arise and it is believed
Great Britain will not hesitate to act
alon in the matter of putting an end
to the present disgraceful state of af-
fairs if the others delay action too
long.
As almost generally expected, the
extraordinary tribunal which has
been trying the men accused of mas
sacreing the Armenians in the streets
of this city, and its suburbs, turned
out to be nothing more than white
washing court. Men who We're ar
rested for brutally killing two Arme-
mans before the guard house of tire
| British embassy and in full view of
several British officials, have been
acquitted. As there was no possible
doubt of their guilt their acQuittal is
regarded here as showing that it is
useless TO expect punishment of Mus
selmans accused of crimes commit
| ted against the Armenians. This has
| aroused the greatest Indignation
served to greatly increase the feeling
| Of uneasiness which prevails on all
sides. Europeans feel that the action
of the extraordinary tribunal in ac-
| quitting the murderers whose guilt
was so fully proven shows that the
| peaceable residents of ConstantinOple
are absolutely without guarantee that
their lives or property are safe and
| that they must henceforward depend
almost entirely upon the warships of
| the powers for protection. Such con-
/ dition, it is admitted, cannot last for
any length Of time as business is at a
standstill to all intents and purposes
and the impoverished condition of the
Turkish treasury is adding daily to
the discomfort prevailing not only in
the army and navy but in Turkish Of
fetal circles generally.
Later bulletins say: The British
fleet which has been strongly reinforc-
ed, is now at anchor in Kavala bay,
northwest of the Island of Tahsos, off
the coast of Salonic. The wrships
arrived off Kavala yesterday.
Many more officers have been ar
rested for claiming their pay and for
resigning their commissions when in
| formed that there was no money for
| them. If this is the situation among
the officers, it may be judged that the
common soldiers are feeling still more
irritated. But there is plenty of mon
ey and provisions for the strong body
guard of the sultan and for the troops
which constantly surround the palace
and it is believed this display of force
alone saves the sultan from witness
ing a demonstration which would
surely open his eyes to the disgrace
full state of affairs existing.
The full text of the note which the
representatives of the powers sent the
sultan Aug. 31st, have only just been
communicated to the press. 1t is a
decidedly strong document and says
their remonstrance is based on posi-
tive data. The note, under seven spe-
cific clauses, gives evidence in support
of the charges and concludes with a
demand that the instigators and prin-
cipal actors in the tragedies be pun
ished with the utmost rigor.
The Turkish government yesterday
answered the note of the powers in a
long communication. The ministry
in trying to refute the charges made,
practically denied the ocular testimo-
nv of the representatives of the powers
and this is now, with good reason,
regarded as tantamount to defense.
AS usual the porte is relying upon
the jealousies existing among the six
News from Armenia shows
powers to save the sultan once more.