The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-09-13
Fleet of Fifteen Vessels Anchored In
the Bay of kavafa, Northwest
of the Island of Thaso.
CRISIS 1T CONSTANTINOPLE
DEPOSITION OF THE SULTAN OF
TURKEY A POSSIBILITY.
Refusal of the Porte to Punish the
Murderers of Ar.nenfans Has
Angered the Powers.

Copyright, 1896, by the Associated Press
CONSTANTINOPLE,S Sept. IL, via Sofia,
Bulgaria, Sept. IA feeling of the great
est anxiety prevails in all circles here
There is no doubt that a crisis of extreme
gravity has been reached and that the
powers discussing the deposition of the
Sultan, that being, apparently, the only
means of restoring quiet and confidence
within the Turkish empire. A British fleet
of about fifteen war ships is anchored in
Kavala bay northwest of the Island of
Thaso, and within easy striking distance
should emergency arise and it is be-
lieved that Great Britain will not hesitate
to act alone in the matter of putting an
end to the present disgraceful state of af-
fairs, if the other powers delay action too
long
AS almost expected, the extraordinary
tribunal which has been trying the men
accused of massacring Armenians in the
streets of this city and it's suburbs has
turned out to be nothing more than
embarrassing court. The men who were
arrested for brutality killing two Armenans
before the guardhouse of the British Off
Gals, have been acquitted. AS there was no
possible doubt of their guilt, their acquitta1
is regarded here showing that it is use
less to expect that Mussulmans will be
punished for crimes committed against
ArmenianS. This has aroused the greatest
indignation among the foreign population
here, and has served to greatly increase the
feeling of uneaSiness which prevails on all
sides. The Europeans feel that the action
of the extraordinary tribunal in acquitting
the murderers, whose guilt was so fully
proven, shows that the peaceable residents
of CenstantinopIe absolutely without
any guarantee that their lives and prop
erty are safe. and that they must hence
forth depend almost entirely upon the
ships Of the powers for protection.
Such a condition, 1t is admitted, cannot
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 official circles
generally. Many more officers have been
arrested for claiming their pay and for re-
signing their commissions when informed
that there was no money for them. If this
Is the situation among the officers. il may
feeling still more irritated. But there is
plenty of money ana PROVISIONS for the
the troops which constantly surround the
palace, and it is believed that this display
of force alone saves the Sultan from wit
Messing a demonstration which would sure
~ open his eyes TO tie disgraceful state CT
affairs existing.
sentatives of the powers sent to the Sultan
on Aug. 81 has only just been communi-
document, and says that their remon-
STRANGE is based on positive data. 1t adds
that the savage bands which murderously
attacked the Arrnenians and pillaged their
houses were not accidental gatherings of
fanatical people, but that there is every in
dication of the special organization. and
that it was known If not directed by the
authorities. The note of the powers, then,
under seven specific clauses, gives evidence
in support of this, and concludes with
demand that the instgators and principal
actors in the tragedy be punished with the
III If
that the attack of the men who deliberate
ly murdered two Armenans in front of the
guardhouSe of the British embassy is all
the more significant. ana must call for fur
Their action on the parr of the powers.
The Turkish government yesterday an
swered the note OF the powers in a long
communication. TIE Ministry, in trying TO
refute the charges made, practically denied
the ocular testimony of the representatives
of the powers, and this is now, with good
reason, regarded as tantamount to de-
fiance of Europe. As usual, the Porte is
relying upon the jealousies existing among
the six powers to save the Sultan once
more, and at the last moment from being
brought to terms, and Abdul Hamid has
SO frequently escaped punishment during
the course of his long and much troubled
even now Europe will not step in and put
an end to the disgraceful conditions pre-
vailing in the Turkish empire.
News from Armenia shows that q very
serious condition prevails there, and that
further massacres are anticipated. 1t is
true that the Sultan has caused all the
Governors TO be notified that they will be
held responsible if outbreaks involving the
destruction of property and the loss of life
occur But such warnings have frequently
been issued in the past and they seem to
have served more to create disorder than
to suppress it, and would seem to be the
cause in the present instance, for while
warning the Governors, already stated,
the soldiers have been notified that they
are authorized to use their arms in self-de-
Tense If they are attacked. Thus. the Ar
menians and others look upon these orders
of the Turkish government as little less
than notification TO the provincial author
ities that they are to take the most rigor-
Gus measures in SuppreSSng the ArmenianS
If the latter take part in any demonStra
lions. and those who know the Turks
well aware that the latter can provoke
such demonstrations at the shortest posi-
BILE notice. They have frequently done
in the past, and are not unlikely to do so
in the near future.
The representatives of the powers met
again to-day and discussed the situation.
but it is not known that they came to any
decision, although communications with
with their respective governments are be-
ing constantly exchanged. The inaction of
emba ssies continues to be sharply crit
icised here and radical measures are
demanded in order to prevent renewal
of the disorders. Unless such steps are
taken 1t is believed it will not be long be-
fore there is another outbreak here, and
it may be of a much more serious nature
than those which have preceded it, in
spite of the fact that the streets OF the
Sultar's capital are hardly dry with the
blood of the thousands of unfortunate
people who were victims of the massacre
of about two weeks ago.