The Elk Mountain pilot., 1908-12-24
SULTAN OPENS SESSION IN PER.
SON WITH SPEECH FROM
THE THRONE.
CROWDS CHEER RULER
DECLARES HENcEFoRTH coNsTL
TUITION WILL REGULATE AZ
FAIRS OF THE NATION,

Constantinople. A constitutional
government was inaugurated Thurs
day with every sign OF success.
Tae new Parliament elected under
the constitution promulgated by the
Sultan last July was opened and every
thing passed off without the slightest
disorder.
Anv fear that the Sultan may have
had as to the temper OF his subjects
was dispelled by the ample display OF
enthusiasm. The fact that the Sultan
came out openly to meet his people
on this occasion has gone a long way
toward removing the effects of past
evils attributed to the palace rule,
while the grand vizier, Kiamil Pasha,
who insisted on the Sultan's coming
by the road which passes through the
European quarter OF Peera and STAN
boul. thus bringing the sovereign into
contact with the masses, has shown
his great wisdom and has by this move
secured further success in the consoli-
dalton OF the constitutional regime.
The opening OF the Parliament was
solemn. Two hundred deputies and
senators. together with the chiefs OF
various rel. gious communities. q large
number OF other state dignitaries and
ministers and the heads of the diplo
matte missions were present. With the
exception OF the Sultans six sons In a
box no other "rinces were represented.
After the reading OF the speech from
the throne there was flourish OF
trumpets and the troops massed out
side the building gave three cheers
for the Sultan. while artillery salutes
announced the event to the whole pop.
ulation.
Never before have such crowds been
seen on the streets. remarkable
feature being the great number OF
Turkish women filling the windows
and balconies along the line OF march.
The ambassadors and ministers of I
the foreign powers were everywhere
given hearty receptions. They as
sembled at the British embassy and
from that point proceeded to the par
lament buildings. escorted by \ squad
ron Of lancers sent by order OF the
grand vizier.
On arrival at the parliamentary
chamber the Sultan. accompanied by
a brilliant suite, entered the imperial
box the deputies rising In his honor
Chancellor Ali Bjevad Bey read the
speech from the throne as follows:
when first proclaimed n constitu-
ton thirty-two years ago. there were
many difficulties in the way OF its exc
avl I N xIi-
1t momentarily. In the interval great
efforts were made toward popular edu-
cation and for the establishment of
institutions OF nature calculated to
elevate the public enlightenment
Il am now happy to know that the
peopl.. are more able to understand the
benefits of a constitution. and | was
heartily glad to restore 1t. notwith-
standing influential advice to the con-
trary. Ny will Is definite and unal-
terable, and henceforth the constitu-
tion will regulate the affairs OF the ma
ton. The cabinet which Kiamil Pasha
has formed will fulfill our decision.
81 regret to be compelled to ar
nouncs to the representatives OF the
nation that the Prince of Bulgaria and
the governor general OF Eastern Ru-
melia have deviated from the path OF
loyalty and proclaimed the independ-'
ence of those provinces. also regret
to announce that Austro-Hungary has
made the illegal move Of proclaiming
the annexation OF Bosnia and Herze-'
goyina. which temporarily are occu-
pied by her. contrary to the interna-
tional good faith and treaty stipula-
ton. My ministers are occupying
themselves with these grave questions
and hope they will receive the assist
ance of parliament.
"Our relations with all the powers
arc excellent and anticipate that with
the good offices OF the great friendly
nations all these questions Will be
peacefully and favorably settled