The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-05-01

Constantinople, April 27.-The reign
OF Abdul Hamid III ended today with
his deposition and the accession Of his
brother, Mehemmed Reschad Effendi.
as Mehemmed ", variation of Ma
homed, it being considered inappro-
pirate to assume the name Of. the
prophet.
Mehemmed V is the 35th sovereign
of Turkey in male descent of the
house of Osman, the founder of the
empire, and is the 2sth sultan since
the conquest Of Constantinople.
The house of parliament, meeting as
national assembly in the forenoon,
approved the decree of deposition
which was read by the sheik-ul-islam.
chief of the ulemas and supreme.
judge on ecclesiastical questions. The.
document recited that Abdul Hamid'ss
acts were contrary to the sacred law.
and set forth long list of crimes, the,
whole making a terrible Indictment.
The assembly chose Mehemmed Res
chad as sultan and appointed commit
tees to notify the dethroned sovereign,
and his successor of its action. The
firing of 101 guns announced to the
waiting people that a new sultan had
been proclaimed.
The ceremonies connected with the
transfer Of the power were simple.
The new chosen ruler came from his
palace in Galta through streets lined.
with troops and cheering thousands.
and took the oath at the war Office.
He then proceeded to the pab.iament
and later went to the Dolmad da stsche
| palace as head Of the empire, where
for so many years he had practically
been a prisoner.
Martial law was relaxed tonight ana,
the people gave themselves over to,
celebrating the victory of the Youna
Turks party and the end of Abduf
Hamid's reign
Many buildings were Illuminated
and thousands of rounds were fred
by the soldiers for joy. General good
humor prevails everywhere.
The question Of the new cabinet bas
not yet been settled, but it is thought
that Ahmed Riz will be grand vizier.
while some of his associates will prob
ably be Kohilma Pasha. as minister
OF interior; Djvid Bey, as minister of
finance, and Rifaat Pasha, as minister
Of foreign affairs.
The sheik-ul-islam. supported by
| all the principal personages of the
higher church administration. issued
the fetva, as the decree of deposition
is called. 1t Informed Mehemed Res
chad Effendi that he was chosen sui
tan by the will Of the church. the Wills
of the army and the will of the no.
pie. 1t admonished him to serve COD
and keep the sacred laws as COM
manded by the prophet. This Res
chad humbly promised to do.
The fetva was prepared last night
both Abdul Hamid and his brother.
Prince Reschal, being informed at an
eally hour this morning. The sheik-
ul-islam, it is said, personally visited
the sultan and read him the decree.
He informed his majesty that the.
question having been put in canonical
form before the sheik and his asso-
ciates, as to whether Abdul Hand,
had not forfeited the right TO rule.
over the faithful, had decided yes"
Abdul bowed his head, saying: 1T
is the will of Allah
AT secret sitting of the nationar
assembly in the morning the decree,
was read. 1t declared that Abdul
Ham;d III must abdicate or be de-
throned. The assembly unhesitsting-
ly shouted. "Dethrone him."
A deputation consisting of two sem
ators and two deputies thereupon
visited the palace at Yildiz and COM
municated to the sultan the assem-
bly's resolutions. Abdul Hamid re-
piled:
Il expected this; ii is fat MY only
wish is that the lives Of myself and.
my family may be safeguarded and
that I may reside at the palace ar
Cheraghan, as / wish to die where Z
was born"
A similar deputation proceeded ia
the Dolmabagtche palace i'm Galata
and informed Mehemmed Reschad
Efrendi Of the nations wish. The new
sultan replied that he bowed to tho
will of the people.