Los Angeles herald., 1909-04-20
ABDICATION IS
DElIEliEN TDIIE
REPORT SULTAN is HIDDEN ON
RUSSIAN WARSHIP
FLIGHT is NEITHER DENIED NOR
CONFIRMED
ConstantinopIe Surrounded by Troops,
Which viii Not Attack City Until
Forces Are Large Enough
to Assure Success
tContinued from Page One,

(Continued from Page oneI
who Is second in line, as they are
strongly displeased with Abdul Ha-
mid's attitude.
Palace Guarded
The palace today was under strong
guard and even high officials were not
permitted to enter.
The constitutional forces sent out
small parties to reconnoiter this after
noon, and at o'clock in the evening
they were within sight of the gates OF
Constantinople. They encountered no
resistance, nor does any resistance
seem likely, unless it is at the palace.
The headquarters of the constitu-
tionalists army Is at Dedeagatich, and
General Husni Pasha's forces, which
now number between 10000 and 10000,
occupy range of hills about twenty
miles from the capital.
Every hour reinforcements are add
ing to their numbers.
At a secret sitting of the chamber to-
day the deputies refused to act on a
vote of confidence in the cabinet. 1t
was apparent the chamber was hos
tile toward the cabinet, because many
of the ministers were identified with
the old regime.
The grand vizier, Tewfjk Pasha, read
a declaration, explaining he had as
sumed office from patriotic motives at
the moment of the crisis in order to
save the country and constitution,
which everybody believed endangered.
He said he counted on the support of
the deputies and was ready to withdraw
if their confidence were withheld. he
concluded by announcing the signing or
the Turco-Bulgarian protocol
1t is not likely that the entire army
will reach the capital for some little
time, as Husni Pasha and his military
associates deem 1t advisable to with
hold their advance until they are
strong enough to win success by over
whelming numbers.
They hope that the so-called reac-
tionary opposition will yield without
fighting.
The war ministry under Edhim
Pasha, has been inactive, except ap-
pointments and promotions have been
made to fill the vacancies caused by
the killing of officers, which, it is esti-
mated, number 200.
There have been virtually no prepa-
rations, so far as can be observed, to
resist the advance of the Saloniki
troops.
The city appears very quiet and Eu-
ropean and American women are drlY-
ing about the streets as usual.
Admiral and Mrs. c. M. Chester and
Mr.. and Mrs. Arthur Chester of New
York arrived here yesterday from Pal
estine.
1t is announced officially the deaths
at Adana during the rioting numbered
400 among the killed being many
Turks. The telegraph lines to the
provinces, however, are badly inter-
rupted and details of the massacres at
Adana, Tarsus and other places are
lacking
Relief Is Felt
Even though the rumors of the sui
tans abdication are unconfirmed, they
seemed to produce feeling of distinct
relief in Constantinople, and the ad-
vance of the Salonika army makes the
settlement of the question of admins
tration a matter of hours.
1t is believed the enveloping move
ment will be completed by tomorrow
night or early Wednesday.
The soldiers of the garrison appear
to be thoroughly cowed by the ad-
vance of the Third army corps, and
the only cause for apprehension Is the
attitude of the fleet, which is doubt
full.
Izzet Pasha and other government
delegates sent to confer with the Sa-
lonikans returned today. All that is
known of the result of the negotiations
is that the Salonikans reiterate their
demands and threatened to send five
battalions into the city.
Business of all kinds is virtually sus-
pended, and the civil and military Off
cials appear paralyzed. waiting for the
outcome of events.
There is much satisfaction at the
signing of the protocol, which relieves
apprehensions of intervention by Bull
garia.
Throughout the night there was
great suspense at the Yildiz Kiosk.
Everybody remained awake and many
attendants fed, fearing an attack upon
the palace, which is situated on the
heights outside the city and exposed to
coup de main.
The consensus of opinion is that if
the abdication of the sultan is brought
about his overthrow and the procla-
nation of his successor will be ac-
complished peacefully.
Many Turkish families in the Stam-
boul quarter are removing to abodes
of greater safety, but in general the
people, though fearful of coming
events, are awaiting them philosophi-
cally and with resignation.