The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-04-21
Rebel Army at Gates
of GOnstantinOpIe.
GAN DICTATE TERMS
Abdul Hamed Must Abdi-
cate or Yield.
Ills SUCCESSOR IS CHOSEN.

Prince Yussif Issedin, Eldest Son Of
the Former Ruler, Said to Be Ao-
osptable to the Constitutional Party
In Turkey - Re- endorsements Are
Constantly Being Added to the Forces
Of the Insurgents, and Their Num-
bers Are So Overwhelming That
There ls Not Likely to Be Any
Organized Resistance - Parliament
Shows Opposition to Cabinet and De.
clines to Pass Vote of Confidence.
Constantinople, April 20.-The most
important feature Of the situation In
the Turkish capital was the report
that Sultan Abdul Hamid had abdi-
Gated. 1t caused the greatest excite
ment in the lobbies Of parliament and
spread with lightning-like rapidity
throughout the city.
A rumor of the fight of the sultan
on a warship followed closely on that
of his abdication, but neither could be
confirmed.
Large crowds gathered at the British
embassy, where, other reports had it,
the sultan had taken refuge, and there
were also scores of inquiries at the
Russian embassy concerning the truth
of the rumor that his majesty was un-
der the protection of Russia on one of
it's guardships.
At both of these embassies all knowl-
edge of the sultan's movements was
denied, and the Turkish foreign Office
also gave a strong denial to one and
all Of these rumors. The abdication of
Abdul Hamid, however, appears to be
imminent
The constitutiopalists will accept as
his successor Prince Yussif Izzedin
the eldest son of the late sultan, who
is second in line. The palace was un.
der strong guard, and even high off.
cials were not permitted to enter It,
The advance of the constitutions
forces continued, and the advance
guard is at the gates of Constantine
pie. They encountered no resistance
nor does any resistance seem likely
unless at the palace. The headquarters
of the constitutionalists' army are a
Dedeagatch, and General Husni Pa
sha's forces, which now number $4,000
occupy a range of hills about ten miles
from the capital Every hour re-en
forcements are adding to their mum
bers.
1t is not likely that the entire arm!
will reach the capital today, as Hush
Pasha and his military associates
deem it advisable to withhold tbei
advance until they are strong enough
to win success by overwhelming mum
bers. They hope that the so called re
dictionary opposition will yield with
out fighting. .,.
The bringing up of the re-enforce
ments is under the direction Of Niaz
Bey and Enver Bey. The civil direc
tion of affairs continues at Saloniki, a
which place constant communicated
is maintained with Constantinople.
Mahmoud Mukhtar Pasha, who wa
commander of the First army corp
and who at the time Of the mutiny es
capped to Sir William Whithal's house
has Joined the constitutional army an
Is now chief Of staH. He is know
as a brilliant man, is forty-two year
Of age and was educated in Germany
, 1t was MukhtaF Pasha who gave tn
orders to the First army corps tina
they must fire on any one, even tn
). priests, which gave such deep offens
E to his coreligionists. &
e Sultan Abdul Hamed has no orgaI
r lied support and must yield or add
cate. The advance Of the Salonil
8 army makes the settlement of the que
8 tion Of administration a matter {
; hours. The general belief is held this
+ the enveloping movement will be con
q pleted by t0night or tomorrow. Th
soldiers Of the garrison appear to /
thoroughly eOwed by the advance {
" the Third army corps, and the onl
cause for apprehension is the attitud
/. Of the feet, which Is held to be doub
ful.
q IEEet Pasha and other gOvernmeI
). delegates who were sent to confer Wit
1. the Salonikins returned here and hG
q long conference with the grand '
D. zisr. All that is known Of the resu
4 OF the negotiations Is that the Salo
ikins reiterated the demands alread
r. made and threatened to send nve ba
r talions into the city. .,...
,e , At secret sitting Of the chamb
70 the deputies refused to act on vo
= Of confidence in the cabinet and
" was unanimously decided to postpol
IN the discussiOn Of the government
ID program untIl SATURDAY, which Civ
the KoveEAmeAt q fresh lease OF II
,e until thea.
. Ut. was .aDparsat that the chamb
" was hostile toward the OSBiAet owl
~ ITO tAS fast thkt mkny' ofAtAs min
kara UvNra idSnAlf,Ad with thu old RI