The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-18
Constitutional Government Is Put In Operation Through
 Parliament
SULTAN PARADES STREETS
 AMID CHEERS OF PEOPLE
Great Crowds Attend the Opening of Parliament and the People Greatly Rejoice Over the New Era
 In Government.

sConstantinople December 17-A new constitutional government was inau- gurated today with every sign of suc- cess. Brilliant weather favored the ceremonies attending the opening of the new parliment, which was elected under the constitution promulgated by the Sultan last July, and everything passed off without the slightest dis order.
 Any fear that the Sultan may have had as to the temper of his subjects was dispelled by the ample display of wholehearted enthusiasm. The fact that the Sultan came out openly to meet his people on this suspicious occasion has gone a long way toward removing the effects of past evils, which have been attributed to the palace rule, while the grand vizier, Kiamil Pasha, who in sisted upon his majesty coming by the road which passes through the European quarter of Pera and Stam- bout, thus bringing the sovereign into contact with the masses, instead, as suggested by the timid-hearted, of pro- ceeding by water, 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 a sign of the general rejoicing.
 Solemn Occasion.
 The opening of the parliament was characterized by much solemnity. Two hundred deputies and senators, to- gether with the chiefs of various re- ligious communities. a large number of other state dignitaries and minis ters and the heads of the diplomatic missions were present.
 With the exception of the Sultan's six sons in the box adjoining the im- perlal box, no other princes were pres ent.
 After the reading of the speech from 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 in different quarters of the city and sub urbs announced the event to the whole population.
 Never before have such crowds been seen on the streets, a remarkable fea- ture being the great number of Turk ish women filling the windows and balconies along the line of march. A never-to- be- forgotten scene was pre- sented at the mosque of St. Sophia, the roof of which was crowded with spec tators even to the summit of the cen- tral dome. The ambassadors and min isters of the foreign powers were everywhere given hearty receptions. They assembled at the British embassy and from that point proceeded to the parliament buildings, escorted by a squadron of lancers, sent by orders of the grand vizier. Along the entire route cheers greeted them as the pro cession made its way through the streets.
 Breaks From Despotism.
 With the meeting of the first Ottoman parliament today Turkey formally breaks from the despotic rule of centuries. Sul- tan Abdul Hamid who granted the con- stituton last July providing for this as- sembly, paraded through the city today at the head of an elaborate cortege to open the first session of the body. Ev- erywhere he was greeted with loud cheering and there was no semblance of disorder.
 The Sultan left Yildiz palace in a state coach to drive to the building adjoining the ministry of justice and facing the great square at St. Sofia, where the new chamber convened. He was accompanied by the first secretary of the imperial chancellery, Ali Bjevad Bey, and large number of aids and attendants. Every
 xyo ,1nd dar- arms and lined up along the route of the procession to guard the person of the Sultan.
 Triumphal arches spanned the street and as the occasion had been made a public holiday, the city was crowded with people. All the ministers of state, sena- tors and deputies of the new legisla- five body assembled at the ministry of justice preparatory to marching to the hall of parliament The foreign diplo- mats in Constantinople assembled at the British embassy and proceeded to the hall in body.
 The enthusiasm of the people was keyed to a high pitch, and their reception to the Sultan and their cheers for the new as sembly were an evidence of the deep in terest taken by Turkey In thls nrst step toward constitutional life.
 The first Turkish parliament was as sembled 32 years ago, but its existence was brief and immediately dissolved be- fore any definite results were accom- pished.
 Sultan's Address.
 Upon arrival at the parliamentary chamber the Sultan, accompanied by a brilliant suite. including six imperial princes, entered the imperial box, the deputies rising in his honor Chancellor Ali Bjevad Bey then read the speech from the throne, during which the entire assemblage stood. The address follows ''when I first proclaimed constitu- tion. 82 years ago, there were many difh- culties in the way of it's execution and was advised to suspend it momentarily. In the interval great efforts were made toward popular education and for the es- tablishment of institutions of a nature calculated to elevate the public enilght- enment I am now happy to know that
 
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