River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1909-05-13
new SULTAN ON
TURKISH THRONE
Mehmed v. Now Ruler of Otto
man Empire.
HIS SWORD is GIRDED ON
No Foreign Eyes Permitted to See the
Ceremony Great Procession
acknowledgements Aids
Massacre Survivors.

Constantinople, May 10.-The sword
was girded on Mehmed ", the new
sultan, to-day, and he now rules the
Ottoman empire from the throne occu-
pied by his brother, Abdul Hamid H.,
who recently was dethroned. A great
procession followed the ceremony.
This girding of the sword, which
corresponds to that of coronation. took
place in the mosque Ayuob, the single
mosque in Constantinople which Chris
tians are not allowed to enter, or even
congregate about the entrance or
courtyard 1t lasted but few minutes
and no foreign eyes witnessed the
ancient rite of the spiritual power
consigning the temporal power to the
sultan.
A stand was erected for the diplo-
matte corps and distinguished foreign
ers some eight or ten blocks from the
mosque The sultan proceeded from
the Dolmabagtsche palace to the
mosque, which stands at the waters
edge, in launch, and from there, at
tended by the grand vizier, the sheik-
ul-islam, the members of the cabinet,
the chiefs of the army, the two higher
grades of ulemas and many other
functionaries, went to the Top Kapou
palace, about six miles distant, to kiss
the robe of the prophet. The sultan's
train made a rich display of fabrics,
jeweled arms and fine horses.
Government Relieves Sufferers.
The government is taking hold of
the relief work in Adana province
with vigor. 1t was announced that
$3.50, 900 had been sent there.
The grand vizier and Ferid Pasha,
the minister of the interior, received a
deputation of the Armenian clergy and
laity. The delegation was headed by
Arscharini, the provisional representa-
tive of the patriachate, who was as
sured that the government would in
quire thoroughly into the Adana mas
sacres and severely punish those
guilty of melting them. The minister
said the investigation would be con-
Quoted by military court.
Ferid Pasha told the delegation
that eight physicians had been sent
from Smyrna to Adana and that sew
eral also had gone there from Con-
stantinople.
Armenians Submit Requests.
Notable Armenians met and submit
ted to the government the following
requests:
First, that the murderers of Chris
tians be punished; second, that stolen
property be returned and indemnities
be paid for property destroyed; third,
that the women and girls who were
stolen be returned, and also that men
and women who were compelled forci-
bly, to adopt Mahommedanism be al
lowed to resume their original faith; ;
fourth, that the investigation con-
Quoted under the craftsmanship of the
governor general be suspended and
that new investigation of the disor-
ders from their commencement be
made by a military commission; fifth,
that Christians be permitted to par
ticipate in the local police establish
ment and, sixth, that Armenians be al
lowed to participate in defraying the
cost of erecting monument to those
who have fallen in the army of liberty.
The Agricultural bank has arranged
to loan $4,000 without interest to the
farmers of Adana province to aid them
in planting new crops.
Refugees Return to Homes
Latakia, Syria, May 10.--Practically
all the refugees here have returned to
their homes or are ready to go. Many
of the houses believed to have been
burned are still standing, but where
they have been burned the people will
camp in the open. The weather is fine
and warm and crops are ripe