Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-04-28
A new SULTAN REICNS
OVER TURKISH EMPIRE.
Abdul Hamid Il Deposed and Mehemmed Reschad
Effendi, His Brother, Now Sits on Throne
Slaughter at Adana Is Resumed.

| Constantinople, April 27.-The reign
Of Abdul Hamid II ended today with
his deposition and the accession Of his
brother, Mehemmed Reschad Effendi.
as Mehcmmed V. a variation of Ma
homet," it being considered inappro-
pirate TO assume the precise name of
| the prophet. Mehemmed V is the 80
sovereign of Turkey, in male descent,
| of the house OF Osman, the founder of
| the empire and the Goth Sultan since
| the conquest Of Constantinople.
! The two houses of Parliament, meet
| ing as 4 national assembly In the fore
noon approved the decree Of deposition,
which was read by the Sheik N islam.
| chief Of the Ulemas and supreme judge
on ecclesiastical questions. The docu-
ment recited that Abdul Hamid's acts
| were contrary to the sacred law, and set
| forth q long list of crimes, the whole
making a terrible Indictment. The AS
sembiy chose Mehemmed Reischad as
Sultan and appointed committees to
notify the dethroned sovereign and his
successor Of its action. The firing of 10l
guns announced to the waiting PEG
pie that a new Sultan had been pro
claimed.
The ceremonies connected with the
transfer of the power were simple. The
newly chosen ruler came from his pal
ace in Galata through streets lined with
troops and cheering thousands ana
took the oath at the war office. lie
then proceeded to the Parliament ana
later went to the Top kapou palace
to kiss the Prophets robe, returning
,, to the Dolmabagtsche palace, where for
50 many years he had practically been
a prisoner as head of the empire.
Martial law was relaxed tonight and
the people gave themselves over to eel
ebrating the victory of the Young
Turks party and the end of Abdul Ha-
nids reign. Many buildings We're IL
Illuminated and thousands Of rounds Q 1
ammunition were fired by the soldiers
for Joy General good humor prevail
ed everywhere. The question of the
new cabinet has not been settled but
it is thought that Ahmed RIA Will be
grand vizier while some of his asso-
ciates probably will be Hilma Pasha
the former premier, as minister OF the
interior; david Bey as minister OF IL
nance, and Rifaat Pasha as minister
OF foreign affairs.
Constantinople, April 27.-Abdul
Hamid III, Sultan of Turkey was today
deposed from the throne of the Otto
man empire by his subjects, for his in
reference with the progress OF popular
government under the constitution
granted by him last July, and his
brother, Mehemmed Reschad Effendl,
now occupies the throne.
The Sheik III Islam, supported by all
the principal personages or the hlghef
church administration, issued the fetVa'
as the decree of deposition is called. IL
informed Mehemmed Reschad Effendi
that he was chosen Sultan by the will
of the church, the will of the Parlla-
men. the will OF the army and the Will
of the people. 1t admonished HIM ["
serve God and to keep the sacfed law
as communicate by the prophet rms
Reisrhad humb1y promised to DO me
fetvi was issued last night, both ABDUL
Hamid and his brother, Prince ReS-
chad, being informed at an early hour
this morning. Tie Sheik- l-lslam, IL
is said personally visited the sultan
and read him the decree. He informed
His Majesty that the question having
been put in canonical form before the
shcik and his associates as to whether
Abdul Hamid had not forfeited the
right to rule over the Faithful, they
had decided yes
Abdul bowed his head. saying IT
is the will Of the Allah"
The decree was read at q secret meet
ing of the National Assembly in the
morning. It declared that Abdul 1ia-
mid III must abdicate or be dethroned.
The Assembly unhesitatingly shouted:
"Dethrone him."
A deputation, consisting of two sena-
tors and two deputies, thereupon Wis
tied the palace at Yildiz and commune
Gated to the Sultan the Assembly's res
olution Abdul replied:
Il expected this; it is fate. MY only
wish is that the lives of myself and
family may be safeguarded and that l
may reside at the palace of Cheraghan,
as / wish to die where I was born"
a similar depu:ation proceeded to
tie Delrabagtsche palace in Galata
and informed Mencmmed Reschad Eff
fcnd of the nations wish. The newly
proclaimed Sultan replied that he bow
| ed tn the will of the people.
| Later the Assembly debated the
question of Abdul Hands future resi-
dence. The suggestion that he be al
lowed to travel abroad was strongly
opposed on the ground that it might
cause complications. 1t was finally de-
cded that he must remain in Constan-
tinople At 2.30 in the afternoon sa-
lutte of q guns announced the de-
parture of Mehemmed Reschad to the
Saraskerat, to swear fidelity to the
Constitution. Had his succession fol-
lowed the death of the Sultan this GER
emory would have occurred at the Top
Kapou palace. where the relics Of the
prophet are preserved. but as the sue