The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-20
t Is Reported That Abdul Hamid Has AbdiCatGd And Has Fled for
 Safely YOUNG TURK ARMY IS ADVANCING RAPIDLY
 ON CONSTtNT|NOPLE New Government of Turkey Has Been Inactive and a sembIance of Quiet Has Been Re-
 gained In the
 City.

constantinople, April 19.--The most the Turkish capital today was the re- port that the Sultan, Abdul Hamid, had abdicated. It caused the greatest ex- citement in the lobbies of parliament and spread with lightning like rapidity throughout the city. rumor of the flight of the Sulan on warship fol- lowed closely on that of his abdica tion, but neither could be confirmed. Large crowds gathered at the British embassy where other reports had it that the Sultan had taken refuge and there also were scores of inquiries at the Russian embassy concerning the truth of the rumor that his majesty was under the protection of Russia on one of it's guard ships.
 At both of these embassies all knowl- edge of the Sultan's movements was denied, and the Turkish foreign office also gave strong denial to all of these rumors. The abdication of Abdul Hamid, however, appears to be not im- probab ble and 1t appears that within d day or two the constitutionalists may accept as his successor Prince Yussof 1zzedin. the eldest son of the late sul tan, who is second in line. as they are strongly displeased with Abdul Eamids attitu&5SsssFsss palace today was under streSg glafd and even high officials were not permitted to enter it.
 Nearing the Gates.
 Advance of the constitutional forces began this afternoon Small parties were sent out to reconnoiter and at o'clock in tn eevening they were with in sight of the gates of Constantinople. They encountered no resistance, nor does any resistance seem likely unless 1t is at the palace. The headquarters of the constitutionalists army is at Dedeagatch and Gen. Husni Pasha's froces, which now number between 20,- 900 and 0,000, occupy a range of hills about 12 miles from the capital. Every hour endorsements are adding to tn cir numbers
 At secret sitting of the chamber today the deputies refused to act on a vote of confidence in the cabinet, and it was unanimously decided to postpone the discussion of the governments programme until Saturday, which gives the government new lease of life un- til then. It was apparent that the chamber was hostile toward the cabinet, owing to the fact that man yof the ministers were identified with the old regime, but in the face of the proba- bility of critical developments in the next few days the general feeling fla vored postponing the vote. The min isters asked leave to defer the state ment of policy, but after holding coun- ell at the Porte, they reappeared at the ch amber.
 Tewfik Pasha Explains.
 The grand vizer, Tewfik Pasha, read a declaration explaining that he had as- stunned office from patriotic motives at the moment of a crisis, in order to have the country and constitution, which every body believed to be endangered by recent events. He had been unable to prepare a programme, he said, but was doing his ut most to cope with the situation. He counted upon the support of the deputies and was ready to withdraw If their con- fidence was withheld. He concluded by announcing the signing of the Turko Bull garian protocol
 It is not likely that the entire Young Turk army will reach the capital for some little time, as Husni Pasha and his mili- tary associates deem it advisable to with hold their advance until they are strong enough to win success by overwhelming numbers They hope that the so-called reactionary opposition will yield without fighting. The bringing up of the rein forcements is under the direction of Niazi Bey and Enver Bey. The civil direction of affairs continues at Saloniki, at which ,tv,to ftov 1c mi tained with Constantinople.
 New Government.
 The new government at the capital has been conducting the administration of the past with few or no changes in the per- sonnel
 The war ministry under Edhm Pasha has been inactive except that appoint ments and promotions have been made to fill the vacancies caused by the killing of officers, which 1t is estimated number 200. There have been practically no prep arations so far as can be observed to re- sist the advance of the Saloniki troops.
 The city appears very quiet, the Euro pean and American women are driving about the streets as usual. Admiral and Mrs. C. M. Chester and MT. and Mrs. Arthur Chester of New York arrived here yesterday from Palestine.
 It is announced officially that the deaths at Adana during the rioting numbered 40O, among the killed being many Turks. The telegraph lines to the provinces, however, are badly interrupted and details of the massacres at Adana, Tarsus and other places arc lacking.
 Feeling of Relief.
 Even though the rumors of the Sultans abdication are unconfirmed, they seemed to produce feeling of distinct relief in Consta ntinople, and the advance of the Saloniki army, which Is slow but steady. makes the settlement Of the question Of administration matter of hours. The general belief is held that the enveloping