Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-02-12

current OF plot against tho Sultan In
the harem. which was followed by tho
execution of II number of women. An
| othcr attempt upon Abdul Hamid's life
was made In July. 1905. AS the Sultan
! was issuing from the mosque at tho
conclusion of the ceremony OF the Sc
lamlik. bomb burst in tho courtyard
OF the mosque. 1t was reported at tho
time that forty persons were killed by
the explosion. but Abdul remained I'M
harmed. So great was his fear Of con-
spirators that he had all his food sent
20 him from his kitchen in sealed and
locked cases az precautlon against
any attempt to poison him.
Abdul ltamid was by some called the
most enlightened OF Turkish despcts
In his reign Of thirty years he os
tab!tshcd inony elementary schools. lie
provided education for girls. fostored
art and improved immensely the sani-
iary condition OF the cities Of his en-
pirc. He was complimentcd by Eng
lish medical authorities for establish
Ing and maintaining hospitals equal i'll
equipment to some OF tho hes, in
EUROPE.
MATCHES CUNNING:
AGAINST YOUNG TURKS
For many years the progressive elc-
mcut. consisting mostly Of younger
men OF broad and liberal education
had made persistent efforts to induce
Abdul liamid TO give to Turkey Il
liberal constitutional scvcru,nent
which, they hoped. would so strength
en- tue powor and prestige Of the otto
man empire as to deprive the great
powers OF any prctext for interview
ton Abdul lIamid, with his usual
cunning. expressed himself in fall SYM
pAthS with the plans OF the Young
Turks. as the reformnrs were called.
but. instead OF acting upon their sug-
s.stionS. he secretly laid his plans to
illustrate the success Of their efforts
Not until the summer Of la0G did
the Young Turks succeed in torciul,
Abdul liainid t" grant a constitution.
His submission was brought about by
the fact that military revolt had
broken out among the Turkish garri-
sons III Macedonia aud the Albau!ans
or Eskub had taken oath TO supper;
the cause OF the Young Turks. While
acpuicscinS in tho reform Abdul
itamid plotted 10 break the power OF
The Young Turks 10y stirring up mill
t2ry revolt against par!iamen; AID TIC
Cabinet in CoDStan;inople. Tho Young
Turks promptly assembled the Third
Army Corps. which supported their
political aspirations. outside Of Con-
stantinople and on the morning of
April II. 1909, entered the capital The
Young Turks gained complete control
ct the city after some desperate fight
ing and became masters OF the eitua-
ton.
Parliament was called together. the
deposition Of Abdul IIamid decided upon
and after the Shc!k III Islam, the re-
lisions heads OF tho Moslcms. had sane
toned the Opposing OF Abdul Hanid. Il
formal decree to that effect was passed
ID! Parliament. Five minutes later par
Lament pronounced the liberation OF
Moliammed Eechad Encnd:. the brother
OF abdul iismid. who for many years
had lived a prisoner in his palace. sur.
rounded by Abdurs spies. on the ar
ternoon Of the same day salute OF 10!
guns announced to the population the
iaut thdt Mohammed Eechad had
ascended the throne under the title OF
Mohamncd V. Tho change Of rulers
was Effected without disorder and with
ont bloodshed
iuring the following night troons
under the command of YounE Turl. ori-
Gers entered the SuItan's palace took
Abdul tiamid prisoner, and he was re-
moved first 10 the Chcraghan Palace on
the Bosporus and later to Il nalaoc
at Satonichi, where he was kept under
strict confinement. He also was forced
to transfer 10 the state large sums O.
money which he had deposited on his
own account in London. Paris, Drusscis
aud other European ccn;crs