The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-22
Armed Struggle Seems Inni- nGnt and Is Only Post
 p0ned For Awhile
SULTAN'S CABINET IS
 STUDYING SITUATION
SaIonik Committee Is the Backbone of the Whole Revolutionary Movement and Members Are Working
 Secretly on Their Plans.

constantinople, April 21-The con fict between Mussulman piety and the political idea of the west has brought the Turkish people to the verge of civil war Zeal for the faith has been un- loosened and adjustment of the Sul- tans relations to the committee of union and progress probably will only postpone the armed struggle between the deliverers of the ancient teachings of the prophet and tn ose who are urg ing the teachings from western Flu rope.
 The cabinet debated the situation for four hours today, giving special atten- ton to the negotiations which the min- isters have taken in hand on behalf of the Sultan with the military mem- bers of the committee. among whom are Husni Pasha, the commander of the Third army corps, his division command CTS and Izzet Pasha, chief of the gen eral staff.
 The Sultan's primary demand is to remain the constitutional sovereign, with all the spiritual powers of the califate, with liberal allowances for hls household, while he also asks for variety of minor guarantees, which it would not be difficult to grant. The demand of the committee of union and progress Is that the Sultan offer no resistance whatever, and submit uncon- ditionally.
 Plans for Compromise.
 The Saloniki committee, which is the backbone of the whole progressive movement, Is largely military, and it's ju1nortanf ma with the army. Some of the members of the cabinet. including Rifaat Pasha, the foreign minister. are active con stitutionalsts. Tewfk Pasha, the grand vizier, who personally Is most agree, able to the Sultan and to military men and who Is looked upon as both be- nevolent and honest, has undertaken the direct negotiations looking to a compromise He has not been able to proceed very far in these negotia- tions up to the present owing to the uncertain conditions which have pre- vailed in the last few days, both in and out of the capital
 The grand vizier and his cabinet are quite prepared to resign if the committee asks for their withdrawal from office. Indeed they are anxious to resign and have only been held In of fee by the feeling that they may be able to avert civil war, or prevent acts of violence, which would bring about unwelcome intervention by the powers.
 'The committee"-a vague term to rep resent influential men of modern spirits is without definite limits. Its adherents who have a right to voice in it's affairs are divided among themselves The rad ical faction insists that there shall be no compromise, that the Sultan must be deposed and that reasonable prince, for instance, Yusef Izzedin, should be named fhaf naIA d,,,i,. istraton should be cleared; that no prom ise of Abdul Hamid's can be trusted and that to re-estabhsh the system of 10 days ago would be to settle nothing.
 Dangerous Ground.
 The conservatives urge that the deposi- ton of the Sultan would only be possible after severe fighting; that 1t s uncertain whether the troops under the control of the committee would uphold such an act with their bayonets; that the wavering soldiers or the First Army corps to the number of 25,o00 or 30,000. now garrison ing the city, would be inflamed and break out into open revolt, and that to ''nand too much means the failure of all
 The Sultan has got them to auar- reling among themselves" said one of the ambassadors today. and he will have his own way yet
 Since the investing army has drawn hSoAOi to tlo City nuiuoTOus agents or the Mohammedan league, ardent young men, theological students, and junior members of the clergy have penetrated the lines pointing out to the men that 1t was their duty to God and Allah to rid themselves of their officers, who were no better than e1aours, who scorned the sacred law of the koran, and who openly argued that the law devised by one arch-devil, Ma poleon. ought to be substituted for the sacred law in all the courts The agitators pointed out that the officers had succeed ed in imposing these wicked laws upon the civil courts, and now wanted to ap- tuii. tii ' ' W ia''
 Hodjas Seaten.
 Three days ago two of these Hodjas who were caught among the troops were beaten after q courtmartal and turned out of the camps. The following day 30 of them were arrested and imprisoned. Yesterday the camps were overrln with proselyting zealots. Scores of them were arrested and today 10 of them were shot by courtmartial
 The Mohammedan league, which is dis owned by the ulemas, cannot be located This secret society which has sprung up since July to fight the battles of faith and to repel heresy, is busy undermining the loyalty of the troops which are affiliated with the committee, while discipline of the soldiers within the city Is much more re- spectful The men salute their officers cheerfully and have resumed their regu- lar drill. in addition tp subscribing to the declaration laid down in the proclamation of Husni Pasha which ordered them to obey their officers and not to mix In politics.
 At a secret session the chamber of dep- uties discussed the transfer of the sittings 10 San Stefano. The majority of the deputies were favorable and it is ex- pected that quorum will be available to- morrow for session of the chamber at that place.
 New Proclamation.
 The council of ministers have drafted a proclamation which was published this evening. It denies the rumors of dissen- eions between the troops of the garrison and the investing army and states that