The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1912-11-06
coNsTANTIKoPLE is
afraid OF. MosLEMs
Cause Great Fear in Ancient
City.
The "Young Turks May En-
deavOr to Overthrow Govern
mentvExpect News Of 2.
Decisive Battle.

Constantinople, Nov. 4.-Uncensor-
ed d)-Constantinople is In fever
of excitement over the alarming re-.
ports from the field of battle. Fol-
eigners and natives alike are suffer-
ing from the tension caused by che
| series of wild disasters and although
the city Is In a state Of seige, crime
in some quarters is unchecked. Many
families are leaving the city.
The people fear, first, an OUTBREAK
of Moslem fanaticism by the turbu-
| lent elements, the lower classes and
second, a rising of hordes Of madden
ed soldiers, who are being drycn by
the Bulgarians to make their last
stand few miles outside of Cons.an-
tinople and then, perhaps to fall back
on the capital.
The battle stiIl continues on the
plains of Thrace and II the Turkish
soldiers fall back within the gates OF
the city, it is feared they may turn
their guns and bayonets on those who
are awaiting here in trembling the
outcome of the conflict. -
There Is a large and unruly ele-
ment Of the population which would
be glad of any pretext for massacre
and pillage. The presence OF more
than 10000 refugees from the war
zone, who have lost all their posses
ions, adds to the danger of the sit
uation. ~.
Rumors are current that the Young
Turks committee may start rioting
with the object Of overthrowing the
government, but there have been no
tangible proofs of such plan. It 1s
doubtful whether a rising would pc
directed against foreigners, as much
as native Christians, but the danger
to foreigners is very real. IL the
Turkish army sustains complete de-.
feat, the lives and property Of thou
sands of foreigners as well as native
Christians will jbe in eminent. peril:
The presence >of warships is OF
the greatest importance and would be
the surest guarantee of the security
of foreign interests and public order
generally. E
i A brigade of infantry has been dis
patched in Tchatalaja with orders TO
prevent all fugitives, particularly SOL
diers, from proceeding to Constanu-
nople but it is questionable whether
the brigade under conditions could
carry out such an order. -
On Tuesday diplomatic repre-
sentatives of all the nations held
conference. Just what measures
were decided upon is not known, Dut
the Austrian ambassador visited the
foreign minister and called attention
to the disquietude on the part OF tae
foreign residents, respecting their
safety.
Expect News Of Battle
Definite news of the great battle Is
expected hourly. According to a gov
ernment official, Nazim Pasha's plan
is to surround the Bulgarians, while
Mahmoud Mukhtar Pasha Is working
to the northwest of Visa. A column
of 10000 will then be ordered to make
a sortie from Adrianople 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 Bulgarlans'
while the main Turkish forces, occu,
pying the line between Tchorlu ana
Serai is expected to deliver the de-
cisive blow against the enemy.
The defenses at Tchatalja have been
repaired and strengthened and DUR
ing the past few days many guns
have been mounted there. But II the
Turks are beaten at Tchorlu ana
Tcherkesskeui, an effective resist
ance along the last line OF rorts ID
improbable. ...