CRISIS IN TURKEY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14507, 26 April 1909, Page 5

CRISIS IN TURKEY

DESPERATE FIGHTING. PALACE SURROUNDED BY TROOPS. DEMAND FOR SURRENDER, NATIONAL ASSftMBfjY'S DECISION. IN FAVOUR OF DETHRONEENT. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. CONSTANTINOPLE, April 23. A hiteh has occurred over llm swearing in of tho garrison. The majority declined to take the o.ith unless the otlicers swore implicit, obedience to the Sultan. Thereupon the Sheik-ul-lslam and his companion returned to headquarters, stating that '.heir mission was largely a failure. It ha-s transpiiod that agitators had told the men that Shevket's army did nut. exceed 5000 men, and that, its 'eadcis bad been bribed by the Christians to overthrow the Sultan. Tho military authorities announced early to-day that the swearing-in proceedings are going on satisfactorily. The Government arrested 56 Sottas, ami exerciso a strict surveillance. TROOPS AT -ISMAD, INTERCEPTING FUGITIVES. CONSTANTINOPLE, April 23. Five thousand of Shevket Pasha's troops have been landed at Ismad in order to intercept the Constantinople fugitives. BATTALION IN REVOLT. CONSTANTINOPLE, April 23. A battalion of regulars at Erzronm revolted, seized Konak, and proclaimed the Shoriat Jlwly law). Tho foreigner tool; refuge in the Consulates. Tho troops at Scutari are against the Committee of Union. i START OF THE FIGHTING. DEFENDERS OVERPOWERED. BELGIAN LEGATION RIDDLED. CONSTANTINOPLE, April 24. (Received April 25, at 1.20 p.m.) For four days tho Salonica troops have been drawing closer, and on Friday evening they occupied Makrakoi. At daylight on Saturday they advanced upon the Yildiz gammon. At Pera, at 5 o'clock there was heavy artillery and musketry tiring on the heights above Yildiz. Tho contest developed against the Matchka and the Taslikisla, barracks. Quietude reigned to the west of the city. Macedonian troops patrolled the streets of Enver. They wait- detachments of military cadets, commanded by Salonica officer.-;, to protect the Embassies, banks, and hotels, and other measures were taken to prevent a disturbance. The Salonicans vainly invited Matclika and Tashkisla to surrender. The latter were nearly demolished after less than two hours' fighting. All the troops surrendered before 30 o'clock. Seveval isolated guard-houses fought gamely. Tire Taxim barracks, in the centre of Pera, resisted for threo hours, the defenders' bullets sweeping the main streets. They were finally beaten by Hotehkiss fire, and surrendered. Another detachment at the Tophanesli barracks barricaded themselves in a. mosque, but were overpowered after a stubborn resistance. Another detachment, occupied the grounds of tho Belgian Legation, causing the walls of the Ligation to be riddled with bullets, but tlw inmates were uninjured. An American correspondent was wounded in the tdwulders while snapshotting. Few lives were lost outside the actual lighters while the barracks were being suppressed. The police at Ktajiiboul and other districts urged the people to open their shops. Shevket Pasha cent, contingents to Isniide and Iskisher. to prevent, the Anatolian troops, who are favourable to the Sultan. approaching Constantinople. Unrest- prevails at Scutari, Mit-rovitza, Avlona, and Uskub, due to the Albanian League. TREACHEROUS ARTILLERISTS. DESPERATE FIGHTING CONSTANTINOPLE. April 25. (Received April 26, at 0.30 a.m.) The artillerists at Taxim treaoherously hoisted white flag and enticed the Salonicau infantry over to open ground lo receive their surrender. They then opened fire, compelling a retreat. Thereupon the Salonicans shelled the barracks, which ti'.t; assailants rushed. Desperate hand-to-hand fighting followed in the courtyard and the cemetery at the rear. QUIETNESS RESTORED. . TROOPS POURING IN, ULTIMATUM TO THE SULTAN, LONDON, April 25. I Received April 26, at 0.53 a.m.) Renter ß Constantinople correspondent states lhat- at 8 o'clock last evening it was reported that- complete, tranquillity' reigned in tho city, but that anxious looks were turned in the direction of tho Yildiz Kiosl;, where a portion of (be garrison refiw;.-; to siibniil. The defensive position, which is in ail excellent neighbourhood, is being mined by the defenders, ShevKet Pasha lias concentrated large tows round the palace. Troops have poured in since noon, and several batteries have been planted ou the heights. 'The tleet. lias .vet,timed, and is anchored opposite the Yildiz Palace. It will cooperate with t-he Saloiiicaus. Shevket Pasha has sent an ultimatum to the Sultan that unless the. Yildiz Kiosk is surrendered it " ill he bombarded from sea and land. UNREST AT JERUSALEM. THREATEN ED INDEPENDENCE. LONDON, April 24. (Received April 25, at 4 p.m.) Advice from Vienna states that Shevket Pasha's advance on Pera and the coast has begun. It. is suspected in some quarters that Shevket Pasha's assurances .are greatly tactical. The civil population and tho garrison at. Jerusalem have telegraphed lo Constantinople threatening to proclaim Palestine an independent State unless the Constitution is restored. The Mohammedans and Christians in Jerusalem are eagerly offering to join the Second and Third Army Corps, The Daily Telegraph states that an agreement has been reached at San Stefano which restricts the Sultan's authority to the narrowest, limits of a constitutional sovereign. Other messages foreshadow that after the mutineers have been overawed and discipline re-estab-lished the strongest pressure will be brought to bear to force the Sultan to abdicate.