The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-04-24
a Battle in the Streets of the
Turkish Capital.
results in Victory for Constitu.
tfonal Army.
SHELLS THE PALACE.
Inc Casualties Are Reported to
Number 1000.
Ihoroughfares Near Firing Line
Cleared of Non-Combatants
AN ARTILLERY FIRE
Carried on by Batteries of Field
and Machine Guns.
american Newspaper Correspon.
dent Shot in the Neck.
Inc Casualties Are Reported to
Number 1000.
Ihoroughfares Near Firing Line
Cleared of Non-Combatants
AN ARTILLERY FIRE
Carried Oh by Batteries of Field
and Machine Guns.
American Newspaper Correspon.
dent Shot in the Neck.

Constantinople, April 24.-Tba
lorces of the young Turks entered
Constantinople this morning at 5
O'Clock and after severe fighting in the
streets OF the city 1t is estimated ooo
men were killed or wounded. The
turkish capital was completely in
their possession by 1 O'Clock this a.
'erhoon- The constitutionalists are
now patrolling the city and order is
peing maintained. The foreign resi-
oents are believed to be in no dan
ger.
The sultan is safe at Yidiz Kiosk
The Americans remaining in Com
stantlnople today are all safe
A number of shells dropped within
tne connnes of the palace, whereupon
the commander of the forces there
hoisted the white flag and AZ nnca
opened negotiations to surrender
The terms of this surrender are now
pelng discussed and the commander
OF the constitutional army has given
untli O'Clock this afternoon for a
final answer. Yildiz Kiosk Is com
pletely surrounded by the men from
Salonika. oii
Field guns. heavy artillery and ma.
Gimme guns were used by both sides
ana at the same time the local bar
racks, notably Tasch Kjschla the
Constantinople troops put up a resoS
lutte defense. No mercy was shown
to the troops who led in the uprising
of April IA.
Americans Led Out.
A party of 60 American tourists
who were in the city were escorted i'm
sa1ety by detachment of troops to
steamer in the harbor. Several for
eigners are said to have been
wounded. Among them is Frederick
moore, a newspaper man from New
Orleans, who was shot in the neck
Mr. Moore's injury however is not SER
ious. and Minister Leishman has ar
ranged to have him taken to the
French hospital Another American
correspondent. named Booth. was
slightly wounded in the head
Halid Bey. who has been the
representative of the Young Turks in
London. speaking today to the repre-
sentative of the Associated Press, pre-
dicted the deposition of the sultan.
He said:
1--WE are all extremely anxious that
no injury shall befall his majesty, but
it will be impossible after recent
events, to expect a continuance of
respect. sympathy and loyalty to the
present sovereign. Orthodox Moslems
attach loyalty to the office of the
califf rather than to the individual
occupying this office.
''It is the wish of the constitutional
party that the necessary change in
sovereigns be brought about by vol
untary means, and have reason to
believe that before long a new
sovereign win ascend the throne, of
Turkey. This change will insure the
restoration of tranquility"
Beginning of the Battle.
Constantinople, April 24.-Heavy
rifle firing shortly after o'clock this
morning mingled with the occasional
rattle of artillery from the heights
IL 4 H.
elimination of the expected clash be-
tween the troops of the Constantinople
garrison and the army of investment
which began Its advance on the city
started in the southwest part of Pera
near Yildiz Kiosk, between the troops
under General Mahmoud Schefket.
commanding the army of investment,
and part of those loyal to the sultan.
The firing was still in progress at
o'clock, the Saloniki troops having at
tackled the Matchka and Tasch Kischla
barracks, south OF Yildiz Kiosk. where
they met stubborn resistance. 1t Is
reported that the casualties are heavy.
Despite the fighting excellent order
prevailed in the city for while, but
later panic ensued and thousands
began fleeing. Detachments of mill
tary cadets commanded by officers of
the constitutionalists are protecting
the foreign embassies and every pos
sible measure has been taken to pre-
vent disturbances in the city. Envre
Bey. one of the young Turk leaders,
has sent a company of infantry to
guard each legation.
At 10 o'clock the firing had almost
ceased, but at long intervals the field
guns could be heard with the scatter
ing fire of heavier artillery.
Streets Cleared for Fighting.
From the houses near Yildiz Kiosk
the bodies of those who met death
during the encounter near Tasch
Kischla barracks are plainly visible.
The streets near the firing line have
been cleared and ell noncombatants
have been ordered to remain indoors
to prevent casualties and the possibili-
ty of mob violence. leaving the streets
clear for the exclusive movement OF
the troops. The public has been warn
ed away from the neighborhood OF
Yildiz Kiosk and the lines are I'm
penetrable.
General Schefket, commanding the
constitutional army. began to occupy
Constantinople at dawn Word came
from the city at midnight that the long
expected entry had been made but peo-
pie nevertheless went to bed skeptical
only TO be awakened in the Pera quar-
ter by the sound of artillery and the
ragged crash of rifle fire in the direc-
ton of Yildiz Kiosk.