The Detroit times., 1909-04-23
MAssACREs SPUR
TAFT TO ACTIVITY
Makes Overture To Great Britain To
Check Further Slaughter of Chris
tians in Asia Minor.

% from Turkey. advising the state
department. Of danger to Amerl-
cans In the disturbed regions,
steps were taken by President
Taft today to secure the oo-opera-
ton Of foreign governments who
are closely in touch With Turkey.
He directed that dispatches be
sent to she American representa-
tIves In London and Constantin-
opIe to make informal Inquiry Of
the British government concern
ing what measures have been TAX
on for the protection Of both mic
sionarles and Christian Armen-
lsns. The dispatches state that
President Taft. out Of humanitar-
ian interest In the present sltua- o
ton, and because Of the distress
Of Armerians In this country,
would be glad to learn through
the department what 10 being
done.
The United States 10 not a sig
natory OF the Berlin convention Of
1878, by which the sultan quaran-
tees the protection Of the Christian
Armeniaps who have been at var
ious times harassed by the Mos
lens OF that region. The state de-
partment. therefore, can make no
direct inquiry, but merely relies
upon the signatorles to that con.
vention-particularly Great Brit
ain-for the protection Of Ameri-
cans and Armenlans.
The horrors Of the massacre are
daily increasing. At least twenty
thousand Armenians and Chris
tians Of other races have been
hutchered and the crime wave Is
still rampant in many sections.
All foreign missions, except those
In the coast towns, are endan.
gered. Many foreigners are be-
Iieved to have been killed.
CONSTANTINOPLE, April 23.--The
of the besieging army sent
4 formal demand today for the sur
render Of the palace guard Of 5000
threatening in case OF refusal
20 force an abdicatioh of the sultan at
he point of the bayonet.
1t is currently reported IN the city
hat Adults mind has weakened pre-
In the last few days AMI that
ne is no longer mentally responsible
This report, however. is received with
1ue allowance, as insanity Is the only
ground, aside from treason. OH which
he deposition Of the sultan can be
'orced.
The whereabouts OF Rechad Effendi
Is still q mystery and his disappear.
ance may yet develop one OF the big
yest sensations OF the present crisis
Rechad IL the Young Turks choice fol
The sultanship and the fact that moth
ng has been heard from him for six
lays leads to the belief that he may
have been assassinated Serious
,quabbling has broken out among the
sesiegers owing to criticisms received
rom the Salonica headquarters. The
division arises over the question OF
he disposition 10 make Of the sultan,
Many Of the soldiers are fearful that
K they are too severe with Abdul, the
powers may interfere. The majority
senand Adults deposition and many
Ire still insisting that he be executed
r front of the Yildix-Kiosk.
The mutineers who are still In the
lily are threatening disorders In tha
European quarters They are driven To
desperation by the fear that they will
De executed by the Young Turks. They
have already assassinated several OF
ne reactionary leaders whom they
blamed for involving them In the des'
)erate situation.
The revolt Of the Albanians ia
,preading, but as large detachment
u the Young Turks has been sent to
he scene, order probably will be quick
y restored. Forty villages In Albania
ire reported burned by the rebels
Many OF the rebel leaders have been
shot down.
GENEVA, April 23.-The Youns
Turks committee here received dis
,atch from STEAMBOAT today stating
hat two Of the sultars sons had beef
,aptursd by the besiegers and tina;
he soldiers have trained their ar.ir
cry on the sultan's yacht. with the
warming that IL will be sunk II It at
.empts TO convey the sultan from the
The dispatches say the sui
an is suffering from extreme hysteria
The dispatches 10 not state which
II the sultan's sons have been cap
ured. but II is believed that Durham
Cd Din, the sultan's favorlte, Is one
II them He IL accused of being one
" the chief instigators Of the trouble
md is known to have attempted to
lee from Constantinople.