The San Francisco call., 1909-04-27
Russian Troops in Persia

- - GEI EHSBD RG. April 26-Tbe
Russian column under General Snarslxy
IS continuing its march toward Tabriz
regardless Of the reported understand
lnS between the shah OF Persia and tho
natlonalHsts- The foreign office believes
tlal II would be injudicious to recall
these troops, no matter how many fair.
promises the shah may make
since the danger to Europeans in Ia
oriz Would again become acute imme-
olateiN this pressure was removed the
expedition will be kept in Persia until
the shah's pledges TO institute a proper.
feet.
The Russian advance has been slower
than was expected, owing to the ab-
sence of horses for the transportation.
The first detachment viii not reach Ia
brlz until late tonight. No opposition
IS expected until at the gates of Tabrfz
from the Caucasian mercenaries The
expedition is taking with it food sup
plies TO relieve the immediate necessi-
ties Of the population.
The expedition is assuming larger
proportions than was at first contem-
plated In addition to a battalion Of
lVo0 rlfieElen and detachments Of ar
t1llery engineers and field telegraphers.
Two other battaliOns Of Loco men each
have left Tifiis for the frontier. Ulti-
mateiy an entire army division will be
moved into Persia and detachments sta
toned at various towns now IN the con-
trol OF rObber trlbesmen, WHO since the
entire collapse Of the authority of the
shah, have made life and property abso-
lutely unsafe throughout northern Per-
sia.
Ambassador Riddle is in close touch
with Foreign Minister IswOlsky. and is
keeping the state department fully in
formed. General Snarsxy has been in
structed to look out for the safety of
Americans.
Refugees Bring Awful Tale
ALEXANDRETTA, Asiatic Turkey.
April 26.-Refugees escaping from
Deurtyl, which is a small town not far
from Alexandretta, bring most alarm
ing accounts of the situation there
They affirm that leo. 600 Armenians are
beleaguered by $4,000 MOslems. The
besieged are half starving and the con-
0itions within the walls OF the city are
pitiful.
It is difficult for foreign residents
here TO credit these numbers. The for
eign consuls estimate about 5000 peo-
pie and refugees at Deurtyul, with per-
hsps as many more Turks threatening
them from the outside. IT is certain
that no Americans are there
The commanders OF the British and
other warships at this port have had
under consideration the landing Of a
force 10 relieve the besieged town
which is within one days march of
AteXandretta. but they finally decided
that this was wholly impracticable as
they had no right to interfere in q
purely internal affair and the govern
menl decnned 70 permit the landing of
an armed force.
II relieving forces We're sent out in
opposition TO the governors wishes IL
was recognized that such an expedition
would be equivalent to a declaration of
war. and in addition the largest COM
mands that the warships could muster
would stand in great danger Of being
overwhelmed II they attempted TO force
their way against such immense odds.
Slav Ambassador Recalled
ST PETERSBURG. April 2s.-M.
ZinOVieff, Russian ambassador to Tur-
key, has been recalled and General F.
post 10
NJ. Zinovienrs retirement, tits stated.
is due to his inability to understand
the new condition in Turkey, owing to
his age and long associations with
the sultan with whom he sympathized
The recall Of the ambassador has
been contemplated since the revolution
in Turkey last July and its announce
ment has now aroused rumors that he
was connected with the rising which
has Just been put down at Constants
nople.
General Palitizin's appointment is
taken as an indication that there will
be no change in the present ministry
belief today that NJ Iswolsky would
retain the portfolio Of foreign minis
ter Indefinitely
Written Prior TO Massacre
BERKELEY, April 26.-Mr. and Mrs.
John Service Of this city received a let
ter from their daughter, Mrs Lulu
Goodsell, who is in Aintab, Asia Minor.
who wrote that all was peaceful there
and that the college of which Fred
Goodsell, her husband is acting presf-
dent. viii reopen The letter was dated
March 20, which was prior 10 the terri
ble massacres of recent date in which
many hundreds were slain.