Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1908-08-01
TURKEYS new LAWS
SULTAN HAD TO GRANT CON-
STlTUTION TO HIS PEOPLE.
His Grasp Weakens Under Pressure of
Muitneers-Has Fear of Treason
"Young Turks" Are in Readiness for
Renewed Outbreaks-May Create
Republic.

Constantinople.-F the Off
cial proclamation recently by Sultan
Abdul Hamid of the granting of con-
stitution to Turkey, European diplo
man despotism is at hand and that
free Turkey is soon to be a reality.
This attitude is not unreservedly
shared by the young Turks, whose
activities forced the sultan to grant a
constitution. They are holding the re-
bellious armies in allegiance, but will
not dispense or yield any of the
strategic advantages until promised re-
forms are actually inaugurated.
The situation tonight amounts 70 an
armed truce, with thousands of armed
mutineers bivouacked, waiting until
certain that the sultan will not weaken
under the pressure of his advisers.
Never has the sultan's grip on his
throne been so weak His concessions
to date have betrayed his weakness to
the rebel faction. His own army is
honeycombed with mutiny and the
aged ruler is said to be in constant
fear of treason and assassination.
The first move on the part of the
sultan indicating intent to revoke the
constitution or to take any reactionary
step is certain to result in a revolution
which will topple the present Turkish
dynasty into the BospOrus and result
in the establishment of an out-and-out
republic. Many are of the opinion
that the liberal movement has already
gone too far to be turned back and
that the sop thrown to the young
Turks in the form of the moth-eaten
constitution of '76 will not suffice.
The young Turkey idea took definite
form nearly year ago when repre-
sentatives of vario1s creeds and Mace
DOMAIN races met in Paris and formu-
lated a campaign. Not until about two
weeks, ago, however, did open demon
STATIONS occur.
The mutiny of the troops at Mon
astir was the first spark starting the
flame of revolution. Within a few
hours almost all Macedonia was in
volved. The garrisons at Salonica,
Sores, Uskub, Adrianople and other
points arose. The wild Albanians, in
whom the sultan has always placed
the strongest trust, joined the move
ment. Asio Minor became affected.
The mutineers not only secured the
garrison troops, but the Redifs. or sec
ond reserve of the army, and large
part of the third reserve. Rebel armies
were encamped in a half dozen places,
and the sultan was warned that unless
he granted a constitution by next Mon
day $4,000 troops would march on
Constantinople.
The constitution of 1876 embodies,
among other things, the indivisibility
of the empire, individual liberty, free
dom of creeds, the press and of educa-
ton, equal taxation, a senate and two
chambers, a general election every
fourth year, the supremacy Of the sui
tan and the continued tenure OF
judges Practically all of these reforms
will be promulgated in the new con
stitution.
The Turkish newspapers are trying
to awaken the enthusiasm of the peo
pie. They published articles this
morning praising the sultan for the re
establishment of the constitution
which. the writer's declare, assures the
prosperity, liberty, justice and equality
so long awaited.
People Celebrate.
Sunday was given up to patriotic
demonstrations and speeches in the
general rejoicing over the promulga
ton of constitution by the sultan
All the steamers on the Bosporus were
decorated with flags and 10000 people
who marched in procession to the Yil
diz Kiosk, cheered the sultan continu
ously
The evening papers published an i'm
perial rescript pointing out that ow
ing to the previous condition of the
country it was impossible to apply
constitution, but that now the time
had arrived to grant it to the people
The hope was expressed in the rescrip
that the people would cooperate will
the parliament and the sultan. Th'
rescript concludes with the imperia
thanks for the popular manifestations
During the demonstrations the people
compelled the ministers of state t.
swear fidelity to the constitution.
With his gray-haired head beaten t
an almost unacceptable pulp, hi
body battered and bruised and hi
teeth knocked out by a robber assail
ant, the body of Ira Messenger, a wei
known laboring man of Medical Lake
was found Sunday.