Jasper County Democrat, Volume 12, Number 6, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 April 1909 — TROOPS AT TURK CAPITAL'S GATES [ARTICLE]

TROOPS AT TURK CAPITAL'S GATES

No Verification Of Report Saltan Bas Quit PALACE GUARDED CLOSELY Many Are Leaving Section of Constantinople Which Would Be Within the Zone of Fire In the Event of Clash Between Soldiers Faithful to Abdul Hamid and the Third Corps From Saloniki American Army Officer Tells of Fighting During Tuesday Uprising. Constantinople, April 20.—The most Important feattire of the situation In the Turkish capital was the report that Sultan Abdul Hamid had abdicated. A rumor of the flight of the sultan on a warship followed closely on that of his abdication, but neither could be confirmed. The abdication of Abdul Hamid, however, appears to be not improbable and it appears that within a day or two the constitutionalists may accept as his successor Prince Yuss of Izzedin, the eldest son of the late sultan. Palace Guarded Strongly. The palace was under strong guard and even high officials were not permitted to enter it. The advance of the constitutional forces is well under way. Small parties were sent out to reconnolter and in the evening they were within sight of the gates of Constantinople. They encountered no resistance, nor does any resistance seem likely, unless It is at the palace. General Husnl Pasha’s forces, now number between 20,000 and 30,000, occupy a range of hills about twenty miles from the capital. Every hour reinforcements are adding to their numbers. It is not likely that the entire army will reach the capital for some little time, as Husni Pasha and his military associates deem It advisable to withhold their advance until they are strong enough to win success by overwhelming numbers. Desert Stamboul Quarter. The war ministry under Edham Pasha has been inactive, except that appointments and promotions have been made to fill the vacancies caused by the killing of officers, which it is estimated number 200. The city appears very quiet, and European and American women are driving abouMhe streets as usual. It is announced officially that the deaths at Adana during the rioting numbered 400, among the killed being many Turks. Business of all kinds is practically suspended, and the civil and military officials appear paralyzed, waiting for the outcome of events. Many Turkish families in the Stamboul quarter are removing to abodes of greater safety, but, in general, the people, though fearful of coming events, are awaiting them philisophically and with resignation