The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-04-28

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lament, the army and the people. 1t
admonlshes him to- serve God and keep
the sacred law. as communicated by
the prophet. This Reschad humbly
promised TO Go.
The fevta was prepared last night
both Abdul Hamid and his brother,
Prince Reschad, being informed early
today.
The Sheik VI Islam. II is said, per
sonnlly visited the sultan and read
to him the decree. He informed Alb
dull that the question having been put
in canonlcal form before the Sheik
III Islam and his associates as 10
whether Abdul Hamid had not for
fected the right to rule over the faith
ful, they had decided "Yes."
Abdul bowed his head. saying:
ut Is the will of Allah
AT secret meeting OF the nation
al assembly the decree was read. 1t
declared that Abdul Hamid III. must
abdicate or be dcthroned. The assem-
bly, unhesitatingly shouted: "Dethrone
him"
Two senators and two deputies
thereupon visited the palace at Yildiz
and communicated to the Sultan the
assembly's resolution. Abdul Hamid
replied:
Il expected this: it is fate. My only
wish Is that the lives of myself and
my family may be safeguardcd and
that / may reside at the palace Of
Chcraghan. as | wish to die where I
was born.
A similar deputation proceeded to the
Dolmabagtsche palace in Galata and
informed Mehemmed Reschad Effendl
OF the nations wish. He replied that
he bowed to the Will OF the people.
Later the assembly debated the
momentous question OF Abdul Hamid's 8
future residence. The suggestion that
he be allowed to travel abroad was
strongly opposed on the ground that
1t might cause complications. II was
finally decided that he must remain
In Constantlnople. At 80 In the af-
ternoon, salute OF Il guns announced
the departure of Mchemmed Reschad
to the Seraskerat to swear fidelity to
the constitution. Had his succession
followed the death OF the sultan. this
ceremony would have occurred at the
Top-KaDou palace, where the relics
Of the prophet are preserved. but as
the succession ensued as the result of
the dethronement of the ruler, the GER
emony was held at the war office.
The sultan-elect came by boat across
the Bosphorus TO Stamboul. He land
ed near the porte and thence pro-
ceeded to the Seraskerat In closed
carriage. A large detachment of cav
airy acted as an escort, and carriages
containing his sons and his suite fol
lowed.
Troops lined the entire route. COM
prising regulars and volunteers of all
natlonalities Of the empire. and en-
thusiasic crowds acclaimed the new
ruler Ahmed Ria, the former pres.
ident Of the chamber OF deputies, and
General Schefkel and his officers re-
ceived Mehemmed Reschad at the
porte Of war. He kissed the princes
hand He was plainly dressed and
appeared happy and radiant, He was
ushered by the entire cabinet into the
great hall, where had assembled the
representatives Of the nation and state
dignitaries, civil, military and eccle,
siastical.
A wish to perform ablutions and say
prayers was expressed by the priests,
Shortly before o'clock the prince
solemnly subscribed the oath which
was administered by the Sheik VI Is
lam A Mollah prayed for the welfare
Of the new sultan and the prosperity
of the nation and the assemblage re-
sponded, amen"
The batteries doomed an announce
ment that a new ruler had been sworn
into office, while all present congrat~
ulated Mehmed V. who Immediately
proceeded to the Top Kapou palace.
The rejoicings seemed genuine and
sincere and, as though by some
strange intuition. picture post cards
Of the new sultan appeared In the
streets, and they made a great sale.
Subsequently receiving a deputation,
Mehemmed said:
"I am pleased to become the first
constitutional sovereign. Doubtless
my successor will improve upon me,
but you may rely upon my doing my
best I also have suffered oppression
and can therefore enter into the feel
ings of my fellow sufferers. Let us
endeavor to work together for the
welfare of the country"
When the assembly deputation ar
rived at the Yildiz, the Ietva of the
Sheik VI Islam was handed to All
David Bey, first secretary. for commu-
nication to Abdul Hamld, who In an
inner apartment was closely guarded.
Djavid Bey tried to gain admittance
by knocking and after this was con
tinueI for Is minutes. the door was
opened and Abdul Hamid appeared.
He accepted the fetva without COM
ment The deputation was then ush-
cred into his presence and the spokes-
man said:
You no longer reign over us"
Abdul Hamid gave deep sigh of
relief upon being Informed that no
designs were entertained against his
life.