Evening star., 1896-02-29
LATE NEWS BY WIRE
Turkish officials Guarding Against
Conspiracy.
over Two HUNDRED ARRESTS MADE
Preparing for the SuItan's Trip to
StambouI.
RISE OF THE VOLT

Copyright, 1896. by the Associated Press)
CONSTANTINOPLE, via Sofia, Bulgaria,
February 29-The police authorities and
officials have taken, steps for some time past
to get the facts in what seems to be wide
spread conspiracy, with headquarters In
this city, and branches in many parts of the
Ottoman empire. Affairs, yesterday and to-
day, reached a point when it was judged
that energetic action could no longer be
delayed, and over 200 Armenians and num-
bers Of Turks have been arrested.
fne Turkish officials claim that the ar
rests are made simply as precaution
against the possibility of hostile manifes-
tation against the sultan. Abdul Hamid.
upon the occasion of his visit to the Top
kapou palace, the Stamboul quarter. to-
day. upon the occasion Of the Midramazah
festival
Extensive military and police prepara-
tions have also been taken. The route to
be followed by the sultan will be lined On
both sides by picked troops. Behind the
soldiers Will be the uniformed police, and
mingling with the crowds will be swarms
OF secret police, who have instructions to
may act In manner calculated to arouse
suspicion. Thus, many more arrests will
be made before the sultan passes through
the streets. and the authorities will be
greatly relieved If the day passes without
serious disturbance.
The Conspiracy.
There is no denying that the Turks ara
rapidly becoming far more dangerous to
the rule Of Abdul Hamid than the half
crushed Armenians. although the revolu-
tionary agents of the latter are still busily
at work. But their plan of campaign seems
to have undergone decided change, for
they appear to have become convinced that
their only hope Of any kind of redress in
the nature of partial self-government lies
In the young Turk party. This continually
strengthening party is becoming bolder as
time elapses, the murmuring among the
populace Is more distinct. and it has reach
ed the ears of the palace officials in an un-
mistakable manner, causing the utmost
uneasiEess and anxiety. Outwittng the
hostile powers when secretly backed up by
Russia Is comparatively easy task when
compared with confronting a possible up
rising of strong section of the Turks
themselves.
The Turks are incensed against the Ar
menians for the agitation which they have
fostered. but they are also very bitter
against the long-continued misrule Of the
palace people Thus the Armenian agita-
tors have really been playing Into the hands
OF the government. and II is only now. when
the disturbances and their sequences have
subs:ded. that the real situation is becom-
Ing apparent Therefore, the feeling among
the Turks against the sultan has nothing
to do with the Armenians, the treatment
they have been subjected to or their al
legged grievances.
Grievances.
1t Is due to the wrongs suffered by the
Turks themselves and the terrible oppres-
Sion Of the secret police and tax gatherers.
Among the lower classes here, the matter
might not go farther than the plunderng
OF the palaces. ETC.. the ousting of the
palace favorites and probable improve
ment thereby in the general situation. 1t
takes a good deal of abuse Of power. how
ever, to rouse the Moslem population to
this pitch of revolt.
But among other classes of the popula-
tion. the feeling Of discomfort is far deeper
and much more serious. The Sofas and
the Ulemah. the army and the navy are
fairly ripe for an outbreak, as Is we'll known
at the palace. I,
The army and the navy. 1t should be
added. may be calculated to follow the
lead of the Uieman and Softas in anything.
end when It is admitted that the two lat
ter classes are dangerously discontented
the situation Is indeed critical.
Then again, among the official class gen.
orally. the deposition of the sultan Is eager
" looked forward to now no longer as
vague possibility. but as a decided prob
ability.
The young Turk party demand a consti-
tuition. a parliament and free Institutions,
and there are people bold enough here to
predict that they will get their demands