The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1909-04-20

ONSTANTINOPLE. April 19-The
most important feature of the situa-
tion in the Turkish capital today was
the report that Sultan Abdul Hamid
had abdicated. It caused the greatest
excitement in the lobbies of parlia-
ment. A rumor of the fight of the
sultan on warship followed closely
on that of his abdication, but neither
could be confirmed.
Large crowds gathered at the Brit
ish embassy, where other reports
had it the sultan had taken refuge,
and there also were scores of inqui-
ries at the Russian embassy concern
ing the truth of the rumor that the
sultan was under the protection of
Russia on one of it's guardships. At
both of these embassies all knowledge
of the sultan's movements was denied
and the Turkish foreign office also
gave a strong denial.
The abdication of Abdul Hamid,
however, appears to be not improba
BILE, and it appears that within a day
or two the constitutionals may accept
as his successor Prince Yousiff Izzi-
NSllJ IuC CluC0L OOil VI Il1C 4dIC 0uiIcllB
who is second in line, as they are
ids attitude. The palace today was
under strong guard and even high
officials were not permitted to enter.
The constitutional force this af-
ternoon sent out small parties to
reconnoiter, and at o'clock in the
evening they were within sight of the
~ Tnnctontnnnln Thou
tered no resistance, nor does any re-
sistance seem likely unless it is at
the palace. The headquarters of the
constitutionalist army is at Dedeaga-
itch and General Husni Pasha's forces,
which now number between 10000
and 10000, occupy range of hills
about 20 miles back from the capitol.
Every hour reinforcements are add
ing to their numbers.
At secret sitting of the chamber
today the deputies refused to act on
a vote of confidence in the cabinet, 1t
was apparent that the chamber takes
a hostile attitude toward the cabinet
because many of the ministers were
identified with the old regime.
The grand vizier, Tewfik Pasha,
read declaration explaining that he
udu dSSuIllcu OluSS llOll pau lOCiS A1AO
tives at the moment of crisis in or
der to save the country and constitu-
tion, which everybody believed to be
endangered. He said he counted upon
the support of the deputies and was
ready to withdraw if their confidence
was withheld. He concluded by an
-nouncing the signing of the Turko-
Bulgarian protocol.
g. hot fhn antirn q
will reach the capital for some little
time, as Husni Pasha and his military
associates deem it advisable to with
hold their advance until they are
strong enough to win success by over
wHelming numbers. They hope this
.so-called Eeactionary opposition will
yield without fighting.
The war ministry under Edhim
Pasha has been inactive, except that
appointments and promotions have
been made to fill the vacancies caused
by the killing of officers, which, it is
estimated, number 200. There have
been practically no preparations sc
far as can be observed, to resist the
advance of the Salonika troops.
The city appears very quiet anc
European and American women are
driving dUOuC tuO oILOCIo uo eceesA
Admiral and Mrs. c. M. Chester ant
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Chester of New
York, arrived here yesterday from
Palestine. 1t is announced officiall!
that the deaths at Adana during thu
rioting numbered 400, among thu
killed being many Turks. The tele
graph lines to the provinces, howev
er, are badly interrupted and detail
of the massacres at Adana, Tarsu
and other places are lacking.
st. Even though the rumors of the sui
tan's abdication are unconfirmed, the,
seemed to produce feeling of dis
tinct relief in Constantinople, and tn
advance of the Salonika army make
the settlement of the question of ad
ministration q matter of hours. 1t i
believed the enveloping movemen
will be completed by tomorrow nigh
or early Wednesday. The soldiers O
the garrison appear to be thorough
cowed by the advance Of the Thir
army corps, and the only cause TO
apprehension is the attitude of tn
fleet, which is doubtful.
Izzet Pasha and other governmen
delegates, who were sent to confe
with the Salonikans, returned toda!
All that is known of the result of tn
negotiations is that the Salonikan
reiterated their demands and threat
ened to send five battalions into th
city.
Business of all kinds is PRACTICAL