Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-12-18
CONSTITUTIONAL
GOVERNMENT IN
TURKEY SECURED
PARLIAMENT OPENED WITH
MUCH S0LEMNITY
sULTAN's SPEECH FOLLOWED
BY REJOICING
constantinope Brilliantly Lighted.
Population Eagerly Strives to Do
Honor to Ruler, Who Mingles
with People

ONSrANTINOPLE,D Dec. IA new
constitutional government was
inaugurated today with every sign
of success. The new parliament, elect
ed under the constitution promulgated
by the sultan last July, was opened,
and everything passed off without the
slightest disorder.
Any fear that the sultan may have
had as TO the temper of his subjects
was dispelled by the display of en-
thusasm.
The fact the. sultan came out openly
to meet his people on this occasion
has gone a long ways toward remov-
ing the effects of past evils attributed
to the palace rule while the grand
vfzier, Kiamil Pasha, who insisted on
the sultans coming by the road which
passes through the European quarter
of Peera and Stamboul thus bringing
the sovereign into contact with the
masses, has shown his great wisdom,
and has by this move secured further
success in the consolidation of the
constitutional regime.
Tonight the streets are full of life,
and the city is brilliantly illuminated
Frequent pistol shots are heard as
sign of general rejoicing.
Cheering of Parliament
The opening of the parliament WAS
| solemnzed by 200 deputies and sena-
tors, together with the chiefs Of yari-
Gus religious. communities, a large
number of other state dignitaries and
| ministers and the heads of the diplo-
matte missions. With the exception of
the sultan's sons in a box no other
princes were represented.
| After the reading of the speech from
1 the throne. there was a flourish of
| trumpets, and the troops, massed out
| side the building, gave three cheers
/ for the sultan, while artillery salutes
announced the events to the whole
population.
Never before have, such crowds been
seen on the streets here. a remarkable
feature being the great number OF
| Turkish women filling the windows and
balconies along the line of march,-1
A neVer-to- be-forgotten soSne was
presented at the Mosque of St. Sophia.
the roof of which was crowded with
| spectators, even to the summit of the
central dome.
The ambassadors>a and ministers of the
| foreign powers were everywhere given
| hearty receptions. They assembled at
| the British embassy and from that
point proceeded to the parliament
| building, escorted by squadron of
! lancers sent by orders of the grand
! vizier.
| on arrival at the parliament cham
ber the sultan, accompanied by brill
liant suite, entered the imperial box,
the deputies rising in his honor.
Reads Speech fror- Throne
Chancellor Ali Bjovad Bey read the
speech from the throne as follows:
when | first proclaimed a consti-
tuition thirty-two years ago there were
many difficulties IN the way of its ex-
ecution and l was advised to suspend
it momentarily. In the interval, great
efforts were made toward popular edu-
cation and for the establishment of in
l ctff Of a
elevate the public enlightenment
am happy that the people are able TO
understand the benefits of constitu-
tion and | was heartily glad to restore
it, Notwithstanding influential advice
to the contrary.
my viii is definite and unalserable
and henceforth the constitution will
regulate the affairs of the nation. The
cabinet which Kiamil PaSha mas
formed will fulfil our decision.
I regret to be compelled to announce
to the representatives of the nation
that the prince of Bulgaria ana the
governor general of Eastern Roumelia
have deviated from the path of loyalty
and proclaimed the independence OF
| those provinces.
Il also regret to add that Austro-
Hungary has made the Illegal move
of proclaiming the annexation OF Bos-
MIA and Herzegovina, which temporitf-
lily are occupied py uel c"liti a. ~ ~
international good faith and treaty
stipulations
@Our relations with all the powers
are excellent, and / anticipate. with
the good offices of the great friendly
nations. all these situations will be
peacefully and favorably settled.
The sultan after resting while re-
turned to Yildiz Kiosk by the same
route along which he came.
AS before, he was enthusiastically
cheered by enormous crowds,