The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1896-09-14
No Doubt a Crisis of Extreme
Gravity Exists at Con-
stantinOple.
BY the Verdict of the Alleged
Court the Powers of Europe
Are Defied.
Two MurdererS Whose Guilt Was
Clearly Proven Quickly
ACQUITTED.

CoNsTANTINoPLE, via Sofia, Bulgaria,
Sept. IA feeling of the greatest anx-
iety prevails i'll all circles here There
is no doubt that crisis of extreme
gravity has been reached and that the
powers are discussing the deposition Of
the sultan, that being apparently the
only means Of restoring quiet and con-
fidence within the Turkish empire. A
British feet of about Is warships is off
the island of Thasos and within easy
striking distance, should an emergency
arise, and it is believed that Great
Britain will not hesitate to act alone in
the matter of putting an end to the
present disgaaceful state Of affairs if the
other powers delay action too long. AS
almost generally expected, the extraor-
dinary tribunal which has been trying
the men accused Of massacring Arme-
mans in the streets of this city and it's
suburbs has turned out to be nothing
more than
A whitewashing Court.
-- The men who were arrested for bru-
tally killing two Armenians before the
guardhouse of the British embassy, and
in full view Of several British officials,
have been acquitted. AS there was no
possible doubt of their guilt, their ac-
quittal is regarded here as showing
that it is useless to expect that Mussul.
mans will be punished for crimes
against Armenians.
This has aroused the greatest indigna.
ton 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 Constantinople
are
Absolutely without Amy Guaranty
that their lives or property are safe and
that they must henceforth depend al
most entirely upon the warships of the
powers for protection. Such a condi-
ton, it is admitted, cannot last for any
length of time, as business is at q stand.
still 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 resigning
their commissions when informed that
there was no money for them. II this
is the situation among the officers, it
may be judged that the common sol.
diery are feeling still more irritated.
but there is plenty Of money and pro.
visions for the strong body guard Of the
sultan and for the troops which con.
stantly surround the palace, and it il
believed that this display of force alone
saves the sultan from witnessing a
demonstration which would surely
open his eyes to the disgraceful state OF
affairs existing.
The Note Of the Powers.
The full text of the note which the
representatives of the powers sent te
the sultan Aug. 81 has only just been
communicated to the press. 1t is o
decidedly strong document and says
that their remOnstrance is based Oh
positive data. 1t adds that the savage
bands which murderously attacked the
Armenians and pillaged their houses
were not accidental gatherings of fanat
cal people, but there is every indication
of their special organization. and that il
was known to, if not directed by, tn,
authorities. The note of the power
then, under seven specific clauses, give
in support and concludes with de
mand that the principal actors in thes,
tragedies be punished with the utmos
rigor.
Therefore, it will be seen. the acquit
tai Of the men who deliberately muir
dered the Armenians i'll front Of tn
guard house of the British embassy i
all the more significant, and must cal
for further action upon the part of tn
powers. The Turkish government ha
answered the note of the powers in
long communication. The ministry, II
trying to refute the charges made, prac
tica!lr denied the ocular testimony o
the representatives of the powers, AM
this il now. with good reason, re
garde:. rs
Tantn,naEs "a to u Defiance of Europe.
AZ usual. the porte il relying upo
the jea,ousjes existing among the 81
powers 10 save tho sultan once more
and ut the last moment from bein
brought TO terms, and as Abdul Hami
has 80 frequently escaped punishnen
during the course Of his long and muc
troubled reign, it has grounds for be
lieving that even now Europe will ne
step in and put an end to this disgrace
full condition prevailingin the Turks
empire
Must Take Very Prompt Act ON.
The representatives Of the power