The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-04-28


Abdul Hamid II ended today with his
deposition and the ascension of his
brother, Mehemed Reschad Effendi
as Mehemed V.
The name is variation of Ma
homet, it being considered inappro-
pirate to assume the precise name of
the prophet. Mehemed V is a
thrifty fifth sovereign of Turkey, in
male descent of the house of Osman
the founder of the empire, and the
29th sultan since the conquest of Con-
Stantinople.
The two houses of parliament, meet
ing as national assembly, approved
the decree of deposition, which was
read by the sheik ul-islam, chief OF
the Ulemas and supreme judge on &C.
clesiastical questions. The document
recites that Abdul Hamids acts were
contrary to the sacred law, and set
forth long list of crimes, the whole
making terrible indictment. The
assembly chose Reschad as sultan and
appointed committees to notify the de-
throned sovereign and his successor.
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 at Galata through the
streets lined with troops and cheering
thousands and took the oath of Of
flee. He then proceeded to parliament
and later went to the Dotmabagtsche
palace as the head of the empire
where for so many years he had prac-
tically been a prisoner.
Martial law was relaxed tonight and
the people gave themselves over to
celebrating the victory of the young
Turks party and the end of Abdul
Hamids reign. Many buildings were
Illuminated and thousands of rounds
were joyfuly fired by the soldiers.
General good humor prevailed every
where. The question of the new cabi-
net has not yet been settled, but it
is thought Ahmed Ria will be grand
vizier, while some of his associates,
probably Hilmi Pasha, the former
premier, will be minister of the inter-
ion, Djevad Bey as minister of finance,
and Rifaat Pasha as minister of for
eign affairs.
Issues Fetva.
The sheik-u islam, supported by all
the principal personages of the higher
church administration, issued the fet-
va, as the decree of deposition is
called. 1t informed Mehemed Reschad
Effendi that he was chosen sultan by
the will of the church, parliament
the army and the people. 1t admon
ished him to serve God and keep the
sacred law as communicated by the
prophet This Reschad humbly prom
ised to do.
The fetva was prepared last night,
both Abdul Hamid and his brother
Prince Reschad, being informed early
today The sheik- ul-islam it is said,
personally visited the sultan and read
to him the decree. He informed Alb
dul that the question having been put
in canonical form before the sheik ul
islam and his associates as to whether
Abdul Hamid had not forfeited the
right to rule over the faithful, they
had decided yes"
"Wilt of Allah"
Abdul bowed his head, saying: ut
is the will of Allah''
At a secret sitting of the national
assembly the decree was read. 1t de-
clared that Abdul Hamid II must alb
dicate or be dethroned. The assembly
unhesitatingly shouted: "Dethrone
him"
Two senators and two deputies
visited the palace at Yildiz and COM
municated to the sultan the assem-
bly's resolution. Abdul Hamid re-
piled, II expected this: it is fate. My
only wish is that the lives of myself
and family may be safeguarded, and
that I may reside at the palace of
Cheraghan, as ! wish to die where |
was BORN
A similar deputation proceeded to
the Dotmabagtschi palace in Galata
and informed Mehemed Reschad Eff
fendi of the nations wish. He re-
piled that he bowed to the will of the
people.
Takes the Oath.
At 2:30 in the afternoon a salute of
u guns announced the departure of |
Mehemed Reschad to the Seraskerat
to swear fidelity to the constitution |
Had his succession followed the death |
of the sultan this ceremony would |
have occurred at the Top-Kapou pal |
ace, where the relics of the prophet |
are preserved but as the succession |
ensued as the dethronement of the |
ruler. the ceremony was held at the |
war office.
The sultan-elect came by boat |
across the Bosphosus to Stamboul. He
landed near the sublime porte and |
thence proceeded to the Seraskerat in |
a closed carriage. A large detachment |
of cavalry acted as an escort, and |
carriages containing his sons and his |
suite followed.
Troops lined the entire route, COM
prising regulars and volunteers Of all |
nationalities of the empire, and en-
thusiastc crowds acclaimed the new
ruler. Ahmed Ria, the former presi-
dent Of the chamber of deputies, and |
General Schefket and his officers re-
ceived Mehemed Reschad at the por-