Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-01-06
A PLOT 70 WIPE
OUT TURKEY.
DEEP LAID SCHEME TO MAKE AR
MENIA THE INSTRUMENT
FOR ENDING
THE SICK MANS EXISTENCE.
OSMAN PASHA TO STIR UP AND
LEAD REBELS.
Fight Will Be Started in Asia and
Thence Carried to Constantine
pie, Armenians to Be Backed by
Foreign Cash.

Special 70 the Register.
PARIS, January 5.-SenSat1onal
stories are afioat in diplomatic circles
here concerning the alleged concerted
intention of the European Powers to
wipe Turkey off the map. Just how
much truth there is in the rumors it
is impossible to ascertain. Certain 1t
is, nevertheless, that there is much pO-
tentiality OF plausibility in them. In
deed, they are accredited by many
men high in the confidence OF history
makers. Ere long they will become
part of the continuous current flashing
over the submarine wires, and the
great American and English dailies
will treat them as important features
OF routine news.
Osman Pasha is the vehicle who will
carry the deadly intentions of the
Powers into the heart of the Ottoman
Empire. He is Turkish officer of
general rank-a cousin Of his name
sake, known to fame as the Hero OF
Plevna."
This Twentieth Century Osman is
not herO-not even heavyweight
but ne will serve as figurehead for
the royal plotters. He stands we'll with
the proletariat Of his own country, up
on which the crowned conspirators
rely for the initial impetus of their
destructive movement. Moreover, he
has a wholesome respect for the gov
ernments Of Cnirstendom, ana is not
likely to prove a troublesome claim
ant after the climax.
General OSman is Wintering here. He
fed hither a few months ago to es-
cape the wrath of the Sublime Porte,
who was about to boWstring him for
seditious speeches. Unlike his cousin
he values his own neck above affairs
of state. He would have been more
useful to the Powers just then had he
remained in Constantinople in disguise,
but he preferred Frankish protection
to Frankish sequins. Since his arrival,
the Christian government have altered
their plans to harmonic with the con-
ditions. Now they are glad the pasha
is not in Turkey.
Osman processes to possess plans
whereby Armenian and kurdistan may
be freed from the Sultan's tyranny.
Thousands of patriots in the latter
waiting for a leader. AS for the Ar
menians, they will fight under the ban
ner of any chieftian who promises to
liberate them.
Followed by his partisans. now in
France, and by such soldiers of for
tune as the powers privately may en-
able him to employ he offers to enter
Kurdistan, where the important popu
lation he prophesies, will flock to his
standard. After driving the imperial
troops from that country, he will sum
mon the patriots of Armenia to his
assistance and march upon the capital,
striking straignC at the Ottoman
throne
Abdul Hamid H., the present Sultan,
according to the intended liberator,
sits uneasily upon that same chair of
state, already tottering before the
typhoon of progress following the
dawn of the Twentieth Century. Far
from popular with his subjects, par
ticularly the better classes, the Sick
Man of Europe is sicker than ever.
Indeed, if left to itself, it is by no
means improbable. says the pasha, that
Turkey would throw off his rule in the
next decade.
But Turkey is not to be left to itself.
Long time the powers have had their
eyes fastened upon its fat acres and
ere many moons they will begin the
operations destined to result in the par
titon of the mysterious country-that
is, if the predictions of Osman's
friends are not premature.
Uncle Sam, it is designed also, will be
made an instrument OF the powers to
that end. Various attempts to embroil
him with the Sultan thus far have fail
ed, owing to Abdul Hands rare good
sense in refusing to open hostilities
with so powerful a foe. Secret ennis
sarieS are to be sent to the United
States to revive popular Indignation
against the Turkish. government over
the Armenian atrocities, which at one
time nearly resulted in official action
on the part of American representative
at Constantinople.
Britain'S insistance upon payment of
the Armenian claims also, it is thought,
may prove the thin edge of the wedge.
Salisbury is encouraged by Americas
success in dealing with the Porte, and
it is believed will press the British de-
mands to the point of violence, if nee
essary.
Altogether, the Unspeakable Turk seems
to be in a bad way and future geograph-
ers may have difficulty in defining the boun-
diaries of what is now the Ottoman empire.
ARTHUR FIELD.