The Oskaloosa herald., 1909-04-29


cessors are binding upon the sultan as
well as upon his subjects.
Another code of laws, the "cahon
nameh," formed by Sultan Solyman
i the Magnificent from a succession of
DEGREES issued by him and his prede-
cessors, is held in general obedience,
but has not the force OF spiritual au-
lthority which the religious books pos
: sess.
The Turkish parliament which was
created last autumn by the sultan,
with the ostensible purpose of giving
Turkey constitutional form of gov
Iernment similar to the governments
| of western Europe, consists OF sen
ate and a chamber OF deputies. The
senators and their president are APP
pointed by the sultan. BY an arbi-
trary rule the number of senators is
fixed at less than one-third of the dep
uties, who number about $50. The
deputies are elected by the people in
the ratio OF one for every $4,000 males
OF the population.
| "OStCHlS ARMY
| The Turkish army Is composed en-
tirely of Mohammedans, the Christians
not being allowed to serve, but taxed
each about $3.50 year for their ex-
emption. Theoretically military SER
vice is compulsory on all Moslems,
liability beginning at the age of 20
and ceasing at the age of 40 years.
About 100000 of the 25,000 900 total
population of all creeds and races thus
maintain the state through military
service, this being the proportion OF
Moslems.
On peace footing the army num-
bers about $4,000 men, with a less
number regularly maintained. These
troops are variously armed, and, though
oriental in habits and ideas, have been
organized on German models. Some
have improved modern rifles; others
are armed with obsolete weapons.
o.. Last Of Troops Surrender.
Yesterday afternoon witnessed the
final act in the siege of the Yildiz,
Gen. Schefket, commander of the Con-
stitutionalists, over-awing the Alban-
ians into surrender. This force,
which was composed of 200 men, was
stationed In the Imperial palace. The
Albanians were not engaged in the
fighting on Saturday, but they per-
sistently refused to lay down their
arms. Gen. Schefket sent up a strong
body of Macedonians and six field
pieces were placed in a prominent
position above the palace. Other guns
were disposed on the neighboring
heights, while the troops commanded
all the approaches The red flag con-
tinued, however, to fly defiantly until
two o'clock when the watchers saw IT
dropping slowly down the fiagpole,
making place for the white token Of
surrender @, .,
A few minutes later crowd of fugi.
t1ves were seen pouring down the
dusty road, leading to Beshimtash,
where they were fastened together
with ropes and conducted under a
military escort to the headquarters of
the commission of inquiry. The pris.
oners included domestics, eunuchs,
pages, secretaries and practically the
entire male staff of the palace, as we'll
as the famous fusileers, the spoilt
proteges of the sultan. Their com.
mander was arrested in disguise at
Galata and severely handled and sub
1ected to indignities.
Prisoners BrutaIIy Treated.
The Salonikins show great severity,
Many of the arrested softas, credited
with being reactionaries, have been
brutally treated and others, concern.
Ing whose loyalty there is doubt, have
not entirely escaped. The vigorous
search continues, even into the Euro.
pean quarters.
Most Of the American tourists have
left the city. Ambassador Leishman,
who has received many kilograms in
quiring whether 1t is safe to visit
Constantinople, has replied to these
that such course would be inadvis.
able, as the city is under martial law.
Orders Massacres Stopped.
Urgent commands have been sent to
the local governors of the disturbed
Syrian districts by the mirister of the
interior to restore order The minister
notified the governors that he would
hold them personally responsible for
any further conflicts. The Sheik-ul
islam was again appealed to by infiu.
entail deputies to use his efforts tc
prevent further disorders, which, they
declared, were disgraceful to the Is.
lam. He has already acted, but will
take additional steps Immediately.
100000 Armenians In Peril.
Alexandretta, Asiatic Turkey, Apr
T.-Refugees who have escaped from
Deurtyul, which is a small town not
far from Alexandretta, bring most
alarming accounts of the situation
there. They affirm that 100000 Ar
menians are beleaguered by $4,000
Moslems. The besieged are half,
starving and the conditions within the
walls of the city are pitiful. The for.
eign consuls estimate about 6,00C
townspeople and refugees at Deurtyul |
with perhaps as many more Turks |
IN! eatenipg them from the outside. I'll
is certain that there are no Americans
ut that place. ...