New-York tribune., 1909-04-22
LEADERS OF REFORM At
ODDS ON RELIGION.
The Sultdn's Demands Radicals
Still Gail for His Deposition
Control of Fleet.

I
the suItans relations to the Committee of Union
and Progress probably will only postpone the
/ armed struggle between the deliverers of the
ancient teachings of che prophet and those who
/ are urging the teachings from Western Europe
! The Cabinet debated the situation for four
hours to-day. giving special attention to the
! gOtiations which the ministers have taken IN
hand on behalf Of the Sultan with the military
members of the committee. among whom are =
/ Husni Pacha. the commander Of the Third Armv
Corps. his division commanders ard Izzet Pacha.
| chief of the general staff.
! The Council of Ministers has drafted procla-
nation which was published this evening It
denies the rumors Of dissensions between the
troops OF the garrison and the investing army,
and SAYS that measures have been adopted for
the maintenance of the general security. The
council debated the advisabiIity of proclaimins
state of siege in ConstantinopIe with a view
to facilitating the occupation of the city by the
Sa1onica army
The men Of the warships have taken the oath
of allegiance. in accordance with the demand Of
the investing force and the feet is now under
orders to sail for the Mediterranean for manoeu-
vres A deputation from the navy expressed 70
the commander of the invading army their en-
tire agreement with the latter's wishes
1t IS reported tonight that the Minister Of
Justice. Hassan Fehmi Pacha. has resigned The
police have confscated the journal ~Hilal' for
a violent attack on the Sultan
The troops Of the STEAMBOAT garrison will take
the oath Of allegiance Tomorrow in the presence
Of the Shelk ul Islam. 1t is rumored that the
committee is in possession Of the names Of five
hundred persons implicated in the recent reac-
tionary movements.
The suItan's primary demand is to remain the
constitutional sovereign. with all the spiritual
powers of the Canphate and with LIBERAL allow
ances for his 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 and submit unco1di-
tionally.
The SaIonica Committee. which is the back
bone of the whole progressive movement. is
largely military and its most important civilian
members with the army Some of the mem
bers of the Cabinet including Rifaat Pacha. the
Foreign iinister. are active ConstitutionaIsts.
Tewfk Pacha the Grand yizier. who personally
is most agreeable to the Sultan and to military
men, and is regarded as both benevolent and
honest has undertaken the direct negotiations
looking to compromise. He has not been able
to proceed far in these negotiations UP to the
present owing to the uncertain conditions which
have prevailed in the last few days both within
and his Cabinet are prepared to resign II the
committee asks for their withdrawal from Office.
Indeed, they are anxious to resign. and have
been held in Office only by the feeling that they
may be able TO avert civil war or prevent acts
Of violence which would bring about unweIcoms
Intervention of the powers
THE CommIttee"-a vague to represent
influential men of modern spirits without
definite limits Its adherents. who have right
TO a voice in its affairs are divided among
themselves The radical faction insists that there
shall be no compromises that the Sultan must Be
deposed and reasonable prince. for instance.
Yussef Izzeddn. should be named as his sue
cessor; that the whole administration should be
cleansed; that no promise of Abdul Hamid's can
he trusted. and that TO re-establsh the system
which existed ten days ago would settle nothing
The conservatives urge that the deposition Of
the Sultan would be possible only after sewers
lighting that II is uncertain whether the troops
under the control of the committee would up
hold such an act with their bayonets: that tbs
wavering soldiers OF the First Army Corps. to
the number of $4,000 or 10000. garrisoninS
the CITY would break into open revolt. and that
to demand too much means me failure of all
The Sultan has got them to quarrel among
themselves" said one of the ambassadors to-
day "and he will have his way yet
Since the investing army has drawn nearer
to the city many agents of the MahOmetan
League. ardent young men. theological students
and Junior members Of the clergy, have pene-
| trated the lines pointing TO the men that IL
was their duty to God and Allah TO rid them
selves of their officers. who were no better than
| gfaours who scorned the sacred law OF the
| Koran and openly argued that the law devised
by one a-chdeviI Napoleon ought TO be substi-
| tuted for the sacred law in all the courts The
agitators pointed out that the officers had sue
ceeded in imposing these wicked laws upon the
| civil courts and now wanted to apply them 70
| the. persons of the faithful of Allah
TEN OF THE HODJAs EXECUTED.
Three days ago two Of these Hodjas. who
we're caught among the troops. we're beaten
camps The following day thirty OF them we're