The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1909-04-30
Thousands Are Slain in Fight
Between Young Turks
and Loyal Troops.
.ssss~
SUlTAN'S FORCES SURRENDER
Latest Estimates Of Number Killed In
Massacres in Asiatic Turkey
Exceed zS,00o.

COnStantinCple, ApflI Zf.-SohseeA~
tinople is now completely in the hands
Of the Young Turks. The constitu-
tional forces attacked the city ut
dawn Saturday. and their advance
was contested by the garrisons In the
vicinity OF the imperial palace. The
fighting ragged fiercely for several
hours and ended in victory for the
Oonstitrtionalists. The number OF
casualties probably will never be
known, but 1t is estimated far into the
thousands.
suItan's Troops Surrender.
The Yildiz garrison surrendered
yesterday 10 the Constitutfonalist
forces. Commanders of these battal
ions began sending in their submits
sion to Mahmoud schefket Pasha Sat
urday night. and the whole OF the
troops protecting tie palace gave
their formal and unconditional surren-
der shortly after dawn. Niaei Bey,
called the hero of the July revolution.
is now in command of the garrison.
Sultan Abdul Hamid has been per-
mitted to remain within the walls OF
the Piidiz kiosk, where Saturday. in
company with his ministers, he walt
ed for the outcome OF the struggle bo-
tween his loyal troops and the army
OF investment, each hour bringing to
him word OF fresh disaster.
Losses Are Heavy.
II has been stated, since victory
rested with the Constitutionalists,
that the sultan himself gaze orders to
his men not to resist. Whether this
Ia true. 1t can be safely said OF the
troops within the capitol that they put
up a stubborn resistance at all points.
and losses on both sides were exceed
ingly heavy for the length of time tho
engagement was In progress.
A representative Of the commander
in-chief Of the Constitutionalist forces
is authority for saying that the sultan
will be death with by the parliament
and that there will be ar adequate In.
curry into tho soverelgn's alleged
completely in the recert mutiny. Up
to the present the ministry has not
been dissolved. but Constantinople
and number Of other places have
been declared
In a State Of Siege.
Martial law prevails. and while
there is some uneasiness among the
people, order has been maintained
with a strict hand. Following Satur-
days terrific fighting. the city took
nm an osnant NJ ,tr,p.a n,,tat tn-o.a
evening. There was some fear that
there would be further fighting In the
night. as the forces OF Gen. Schefket
were strongly posted close to the pal.
ace. But beyond n few scattering
shots there vas nothing to disturb the
peace Of the city.
The evacuation of the quarters
around the Yildiz kiosk began early In
the morning. Soldiers OF the garrison
were made prisoners. and their places
were taken by Macedonian battalions.
Over $4,000 Killed.
Beirut, April 81. - The situation In
Asiatic Turkey 10 one of extreme
gravity. How many thousands have
been massacred cannot even be est.
mated. because disturbances have
been SO widespread that II Is impos.
sibls to obtain details Of happenings
In the last ten days. Latest estimates
Of the number killed in tho viilayet OF
Adana reaches approximately $4,000.
and thousands have been slain In
towns Of other districts. The state OF
Siege which several places are under.
going has brought Inhabitants to the
verge OF starvation. Each day brings
tales OF further atrocities and the
depths Of misery and despair to which
sayagsry Of fanatics has brought the
people.
Frantic Appeals for Help.
One Of the missionaries at Alexan,
dretta, Mr.. Kennedy. with $50 Turk,
ish troops. has gone to the relief oil
Deurthul, where 10000 people within
the walls are besieged by immense
throngs Of Kurds and circassisns.
Confirmation has been received oil
the burning Of the Armenian village
Of Kessab. All the men and many
women and children have been slain
A British wArship has beer ordered
from Alexandretta to Suesiah. where
conditions have become worse. Al
the property Of the Christians at Die
bal Bersket has been destroyed. Re
ports state that Hadjin. In the yillayel
OF Adana, In on fre. There are fys
American women quartered here
Frantic appeals for food are cominl
In from all sections. Beirut Ia quiet