The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-04-20
Turkish Ruler Shuts Himself
Up in His Palace
While an Army Is Gradually
Encircling the Capital.
FORCE OF $4,000 MEN
Well Armed, Equipped and Dis.
ciplined
Is About to Take Possession of
COnstantinOple.

Constantinople, April 20.-The popu-
lation of the Turkish capital awoke
this morning to find the pickets of the
constitutional forces, who have sur
rounded the city to make the sultan
guarantee the continuation of constitu-
tional government within calling dis
tance of the old walls that flank the
capital on its south side. The constitu-
tionalist lines extend in wide semi
circle around three-quarters of the
city, Pera, Galata and STEAMBOAT and
every hour they are becoming longer
All roads outside of the capital are oc-
cupied by the investing forces, whose II
mile front can be traced distinctly but
movement on the highways has been
practically unaffected except that now
and then travellers are stopped and
questioned and sometimes taken before
the commander of the nearest outpost.
Several of the foreign military at
taches in Constantinople rode out this
morning and visited friends among the
Turkish officers, who command bat
talions of the constitutionalists and
mad an excellent opportunity to observe
the condition of the troops. They were
amazed at the excellence and complete
ness of the equipment and the state of
efficiency of the field telegraph system,
the hospitals and the supply trains.
The men are well fed, confident of
ultimate success and under excellent
discipline.
All acquisitions made upon the peo-
pie for food or animals are paid for in
cash. The italian attache counted 80
machines guns and another military
observer learned of the presence of a
division of sixty field guns attended by
well mounted troopers At noon yes
terday the constitutionaiists numbered
about 10000; at noon today they were
more than 25,0D0 strong
The occupation of the city will not be
delayed long. Tt may take place to-
ferred for another "A hours.
To Take and Hold.
| General Husni, commanding the
army of investment. says that as he
will have to patrol ascity of a million
people In which there are many dan
gerous mob elements, he must have
at his command enough men to do this
work carefully and we'll and not only to
take the city, but to hold it.
In the meantime no preparations are
being made within the city to offer re-
s1stance to the army of constitutional
lists The sultan remains secluded in
his favorite pavilion at Yildfz Kiosk.
To all appearances he is showing little
activity. With the exception of Tewfik
Pasha, the present grand vizier, he has
received none of his ministers for As
hours; but Tewfik Pasha, the calm and
tried councillor of many a. time of
stress has spent 80 out of the last As
hours with his imperial master He is
constantly summoned to the palace. He
may just have returned from a four
hour audience with the sultan to his
home in Pera. which is some distance
from the palace. when another mount
ed messenger from his majesty Will
summon him to further conference
| Ii is through Tewfik Pasha alone that
the sultan's attitude and mind are
made known to the other ministers, the
| officials of the household and the for
eign diplomatic representatives..
His sublime majesty" Tewfik Pasha
| said today, 'fs awaiting benevolently
! the arrival of the constitutional army
His sublinity is in favor of the con-
| stitution of which he is the supreme
| guardian"
| Foreign Marines Land.
| Washington, April 20. Although
Americans like all other foreigners in
Turkey are in danger owing to the pc
culiar conditions existing throughout
the empire, there is no indication OF
| premeditated attacks on foreigners, ac-
cording to state department advices
| from Ambassador Leishman at Con.
| stantinople received today. Mr.. Leish-
man confirms the dispatches regarding
! the deaths of two missionaries, Rogers
! and Maurer who were killed at Adana
| while trying to save the burning of {
Turkish woman. The presence of Eng
! lish. French and italian warships the
ambassador says, no doubt will have
| salutary effects in the disturbed condi-
| tions.
At Constantinople marines from the
! different warships have landed II
guard the embassies. Unfortunatel,
| the American gunboat Scorpion. the
| regular station ship at Constantinople
| which went to Italian ports following
| the earthquake is now at Naples hay-
| ing her boilers fixed
| In the present crisis the ambassador
| says the central government is mucl
| hampered by lack of troops at Con
stantinople. condition which also ex
| lists in the local governments of Alex
| andretta and Adana.
| Two armed cruisers. the North Caro-
| lima. Captain Marshall. and the Mon
| tana. Captain Reynolds. are to be sen
to the Mediterranean to protect Amer
| lean interests in Turkey. They will re
port to the consul at Alexandretta. Th
| vessels are now in the West Indies
| They are directed to proceed with al
| dispatch.
Rumors of Abdication.
| Constantinople. April 20.-The ru
mors that the sultan's abdication il
pending are heard persistently il
Constantinople today. According t
the latest report MS majesty IS read.
to turn over the throne provided hi
conditions are accepted The natur'
| of these conditions. however, is un
! known.
1t is apparent that Twefik Pasha
! the grand vizier. has withdrawn hi
resignation as after a prolonged au
dience with the sultan this morning
he summoned the cabinet to discus
lthe demands of the army of invest
ment-
The cabinet is now in telegrapf1i
communication with Husni Pasha. tn
commander of the constitutions
forces