Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-04-30
LEGITIMATE
HEIR ON THRONE
Mehmed Y Is Proclaimed Ruler
Of Turkish DeStIniGS
DEPOSITION OF ABDUL HAMlD

Predecessor Glad to Escape With
His Life
Constantinople, April S.-The reign
of Abdul Hamid II ended Tuesday
with his deposition and the accession
of his brother, Mehemmed Reschad
Effendi, as Mehmed V, a variation
of "Mahomet," it being considered in
appropriate to assume the precise
name of the Prophet.
Mehmed V was the legitimate heir
to the throne and the thirty fifth SOW
ereign OF Turkey, in male descent, of
the house of Osman, the founder of
the empire, and the twenty ninth
sultan since the conquest of COnstanti-
nople.
The two houses of parliament,
meeting as a national assembly in the
| forenoon, approved the decree OF de-
position, which was read by the
Sheik VI Islam, chief of the ulemas
and supreme judge on ecclesiastical
questions.
The document recited that Abdul
Hands acts were contrary to the
sacred laws, and set forth long list
of crimes, the whole making terrible
Indictment. The assembly chose Me-
hemmed Reschad as sultan and APP
pointed committees to notify the de-
throned sovereign and his successor
of it's action. The firing of 101 guns
announced to the waiting people that
a new sultan had been proclaimed.
The ceremonies connected with the
transfer of the power were simple.
| The newly chosen ruler came from
his palace in Galata through streets
sands and took the oath at the war
office. He then proceeded to the par
Lament and later went to the Top
Kapou palace to kiss the prophets
robe, returning to the Dolmbagsche
palace, where for so many years he
had practically been a prisoner, as the
head of the empire.
Martial law was relaxed last night
and the people gave themselves over
to celebrating the victory Of the Young
Turks party aud the end of Abdul
Hands reign. Many buildings were
Illuminated, and thousands of rounds
Of ammunition were fired by the SOL
diers for joy.
The question of the new cabinet
has not been settled, but 1t is thought
that Ahmed Ria will be grand vizier.
The Sheik VI Islam, supported by
all the principal personages of the
higher church administration, issued
the fetva, as the decree of deposition
is called.
1t informed Mehemmed Reschad Eff
fendi that he was chosen sultan by the
will of the church, the will of the par
lament, the will of the army and the
will of the people. 1t admonished him
to serve God and to keep the sacred
law as communicated by the prophet
This Reschad humbly promised to do.
In receiving a deputation from the
national assembly, Mehmet V said:
Il am pleased to become the first
constitutional sovereign Doubtless
my successor will improve upon me
but you may rely upon my doing my
best. also have suffered oppression
and therefore enter into the feelings
of my fellow sufferers. Let us en-
deavor to work together for the well
fare of the country.
! When the assembly deputation ar
rived at the Yildiz, the fetva was
handed TO Ali Djevad Bey, first secre-
tary, for communication to Abdul
Hamid, who, in an inner apartment
was guarded by fifteen eunuchs
Djevad Bey tried to gain admittancC
by knocking, and after this was con-
, tinued for some fifteen minutes the
t door was opened and Abdul Hamid APP
peared. He accepted the fetva with
out comment.
The deputation was then ushereC
. into his presence, and the spokesman
said: You no longer reign over us"
Abdul Hamid gave a deep sigh o
relief upon being informed that no de
signs were entertained against his life
He was transported across the Bos
phorus to Asiatic Turkey as a pris
oner.