The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-28
DECREE IS READ
 ID ABDUL HAMID
DepoSed Sultan Accepts Fate
 With CaImneSS
BtGS ONLY FOR HIS LIFE
Former Ruler of Turkey Will Be AL lowed to Remain In Constantinople, But He Will Have No
 Royal Prerogatves.

Constantinople April 27.-The sheik LII Islam, supported by all the principal per- sonages of the higher church administra- ton. issued the fetva, as the decree of deposition is called It informed aIehem- med Reschad Effendi that he was chosen Sultan by the will of the church. the will of the parliament, the will of the army. and the will of the people It admonishcd him to serve God and keep the sacred law as communicated by the prophet This Reschad humbly promised to do
 The fetva was prepared last night, both Abdul Hamid and. h.s brother. Prince Reschad, being informed al an early hour this morning. The Sheik IT Islam. it 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 sheil1 and his assistants as to whether Abdul Hamid had not forfeited the right to rule over the faithful they had decided "yes ''
 Abdul bowed his head. saying: Tt is the will of Allah"
 At a secret sitting of the national as- sembly in the morning the decree was read. It declared that Abdul Hamid II must abdicate or be dethroned. The as- sembly unhesitatingly shouted, "Dethrone l him."
 l deputation consisting of two sena tors and two deputies thereupon visited the l palace at Yildiz and communicated to the Sultan the assembly's resolution. Abdul l Hamid replied:
 q expected this. It is fate My only wish is that the lives of myself and fam fly be safeguarded and that may reside at the palace of Cheraghan, as I wish to die where I was born"
 A similar deputation proceeded to the l Dolmagbagtsce palace in Gaata and in formed Mehemmed Reschad Effend of the nations wish The newly proclaimed Sul- tan replied that he bowed to the will ot the people
 Later the assembly debated the mo- mentous question of Abdul Hamid's flu ture residence. The suggestion that he i be allowed to travel abroad was strong 1 ly opposed on the ground that it might cause complications. It was finally de cided that he must remain at Constan- tinople.
 At 2:3O in the afternoon a salute ot 1 21 guns announced the departure of Me hemmed Reschad to the Seraskerat to swear fidelity to the constitution. Had 1 his succession followed the death of the Sultan this ceremony would have occurred at the Top-Kahou palace. where the rel ics of the prophet are preserved, but as the succession ensued as the result of the dethronement of the ruler the cere- mony was held at the war office
 When the assembly deputation arrived l at the Yildiz the fetva of the Sheik- l Ul-Islam was handed to Ali Djevag Bey first secretary for communication to Alb | dul Hamid. who in an inner apartment was guarded by 15 eunichens. Djevad Bey tried to gain admittance by knock ing and after this was continued for some 15 minutes the door was opened and Alb dul Hamid appeared. He accepted the fetva without comment. He accepted the was then ushered into his presence and the spokesman said:
 l You do no longer reign over us."
 Abdul Hamid gave a deep sigh of re- 1 lief upon being informed that no designs were entertained against his life.