The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-11-04
Const antinople Excited

A0HnthHti'tOpits oatulddyf ANofoihpct (Uncensored ,-Constantinople Is in few CT of excitement over the alarming re. ports from the field of battle. Foreigners ane natives alike arc suffering from the tension caused by the series of military disasters. and, although the city Is in a state of siege, crime in some quarters is unchecked. Many families are leaving the city.
 The people fear, first, an outbreak of Moslem fanaticism by the turbulent ele- ments. the lower classes, and second. a rising of hordes of maddened soldiers, who are being driven by the Bulgarians to make their last stand a few miles out side of Constantinople, and then, per haps to fall back on the capital
 The battle still continues on the plains of Thrace, and. If the Turkish soldiers fall back within the gates of the city. t is feared they may turn their guns and bayonets on those who are awaiting here in trembling the outcome of the con fiict
 There is a large and unruly element of the population which would be glad of any pretext for massacre and pillage. The presence of more than 10000 Moslem refu- gees from the war zone. who have lost all their possessions, adds to the danger of the situation.
 Foreigners in Danger
 Rumors are current that the young Turks committee may start rioting with ihe object of overthrowing the govern ment but there have been no tangible proofs of such a plan. It Is doubtful whether a rising would be directed against foreigners. as much as native Christians, but the danger to foreigners is very real. If the Turkish army sustains complete de- feat, the lives and property of thousands of foreigners as well as native Chris tians, will be in imminent peril
 The presence of foreign warships is of the greatest importance and would be the suiest guarantee of the security of for etgn interests and public order generally. The government has made moro severe the state of siege, strong patrols clr- culate through the streets, and the police have received orders to use the utmost vigilance and repress disorders rigor- ously.
 A brigade. of infantry has been sent to Tchatalja with orders to prevent all fugitives. particularly soldiers. from pro- ceeding to ,Constantinople but 1t is ques- tionable whether the brigade. under con ditions, could carry such an order.
 On Thursday diplomatic representatives of all the nations held a conference. Just what measures were decided upon is not known, but the Austrian ambassador visited the foreign minister and called attcttioh tO tiis dieQuictuue OU the part of the foreign residents respecting their safety.
 Nazim's Plans
 Definite news of the result of the great battle Is expected hourly. According to government official, Nazim Pasha' s plan is to surround the Bulgarians, while Mahmoud Mukhtar Pasha is working to the northwest of Visa A column of 3O,000 will then be ordered to make a sortie from Adrlanople. to join hands with him, and balk Bulgarian retreat to the north. The Turkish army at Dedeaghatch is to hem in the western flank of the Bulgar- ians, while the main Turkish force, oc- cupying the line between Tchorlu and serai, is expected to deliver the decisive blow against the enemy.
 1 The defenses at Tchatalja have been repaired and strengthened. and during the past few days many guns have been mounted there.
 But If the Turks are beaten at Tchorlu and Tcherkesskeui an effective resistance along the last line of forts is improb- able.
 Austria Suspicious | Paris, November 3.--Austrian suspicioni still block the Russian way to an accord of the powers on the proposal of France l Russia and Great Britain for a declara. l ton of territorial disinterestedness." Tho French ambassador at Vienna has givef the Austrian foreign minister, Count vor ! xr--r