Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-04-26
SATURDAYS STORY.
(Continacd from Page one.)

bdrhoOd is mined. Apparently GeneFai
Schefket, and the other leaders Of the
Saloniki troops are anxious to avoid
further bloodshed, hence their desire
to give the Sultan and. his advisers
ample time for consideration.
The sending forward Of the advance
posts of the Saloniki army yesterday
afternoon to within two and half
miles of the palace, foreshadoWed the
attack upon the city which began at
s o'clock this morning. The bridges had
been picketed and small parties of cav
airy had accommodated the ground. At
ter desultory firing just before dawn,
a strong advance was made in the
southwest part Of Pera
The attacking forces spread out IN
long line and made an assault upon the
Matchke and Tasch Kishola barracks.
south of the palace. where they met
with stubborn resistance.
The invaders continued to advance
in three columns with the utmost pre-
cision and occupied all the points OF
vantage. The volunteers from Chew
geli received their baptism OF fire from
Matchka, but they stood their ground
we'll and replied with steady volleys.
The strength of the volunteers was
overwhelming and the Matchka garri-
son was soon surrendered.
Almost Immediately the loyal soldiers
in the Tasch Kischla barracks, on the
opposite hill, opened with a deadly fire.
but Notwithstanding that many of
them fell, the Saloniki troops did not
hesitate in their advance. but moved
slowly and cautiously, bringing up
their machine guns, which eventually
resulted in silencing the garrison.
There were heavy losses on both sides.
While this attack was proceeding an
other corps of Salonki infantry en-
couEtered sudden attack from the ar
tillerymen in the TaXim barracks, but
these were only supplied with rifles.
Mukstar Bey, commander OF the Sa-
lonil<i forces, fell dead, and many We're
killed or wounded on the first assault.
The fighting in the STEAMBOAT quarter
occurred at the Porte, where the gar
rison refused to surrender, but after
n sharp fusilade they We're obliged to
hoist the white flag. There was stiff
fighting at the Iolk Haneh barracks,
where the mutinous artillerymen, who
recently arrived from Tohatalja, were
Quartered.
Perhaps the most remarkable feature
Of the attack upon the city was the
great number of persons of all ma
tiOnalities, including many European
women, who thronged the streets i'm
mediately outside the zone of fire.
Everybody showed that confidence had
been inspired by the discipline, valor
and friendly courtesy of the invading
troops. particularly the gendarmes of
Saloniki.
The number of casualties will prob
ably never be known, but it is esti-
mated far into the thousands. Around
the Taxim barracks alone it is be-
lieved that 1000 ore more fell. The pri-
vate houses within the line of fire suf
fered greatly.
One of the heaviest losses to the
parliamentary forces occurred through
the misuse of the white flag by the be-
sieged Tasch Kishola barracks. For
more than an hour the machine guns
of the attacking party poured a hail
of shots into the garrison and then
the defenders hCisted the white flag.
Infantry moved forward in the open
and the gun fired was suspended. When
the battalion was within 400 yards Of
the barracks the guns behind the walls
opened up q deadly fire on them, q
being killed and SO wounded.
In one quarter some 5000 or 1000
troops were engaged in the conflict,
but with the terrific exchange of shots,
few non-combatants were killed.
Half of the Saloniki chasseurs, who
We're brought from the country dis
tricts several months ago and placed in
the IildiZ garrison by the Committee of
Union and Progress and took promi
nent part in the recent mutiny, fell
fighting in or near the barracks, where
they had murdered most of their Off
GERS only 10 days ago. In their pockets
some of the dead were found large
sums of money in gold, which it is as
sured, was part OF the price of their
loyalty. The American ambassador, Mr..
Leislman, declared that the conduct of
the Americans during the fighting and
while he was arranging to send them
off or a steamer was splendid. The
men displayed the lleenest interest in
the strange battle and every woman
exhibited the greatest pluck. There
was ITO fainting and no Mysteries.
At noon the battle ceased, and pre-
cautionary measures were Immediately
taken by those upon whom victory had
rested, to SECURE the safety of the res.
idants. No disorders of any kind oc-
Cured during the afternoon and there
was no looting permitted. General sat-
isfaction seemed to be felt at the swift
change from uncertainty to constitu
tional order.
Should the Sultan remain in office it
will be merely in a nominal way. His
allowance will be greatly restricted
and he will be will have no means for
further agitation should his mind turn
again in this direction. 1t is credibly
| reported that the Sultan has distrib-
| uted within recent days two million
pounds. Turkish. to troops. The ques-
| ton of his deposition or his execution
can hardly be considered a possibility.
He has been tried. it is true, and con-
deimed in the minds of the Commit
tee Of Union and Progress as untrust-
worthy. but it is authoratively stated
that he will be allowed to remain where
lie is for the present.
| Modern political ideas, supported by
an army Of 10000 from the European