THE CONSTANTINOPLE RIOTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVI, Issue 11050, 31 August 1896, Page 5

THE CONSTANTINOPLE RIOTS.

- <)!<»■' THE OTTOMAN BANK SEIZURE. INFURIATED MOSLEMS. MASSACRE OP ARMENIANS. [Per. Press Association.] CONSTANTINOPLE, August 29. The Armenian Committee gave notice to the Porte and Embassies that they intended to seize the bank in order to coerce the Powers to settle the Armenian difficulty. They threatened to dynamite and thereby destroy securities if molested. Porters, who were thought to be carrying coin, introduced the bombs. The rioters entered singly and unnoticed. Revolvers were bred, and bombs •thrown. A panic resulted, which enabled the rioters to capture the bank. The staff lied upstairs. Vincent and several directors escaped on to the roof. Two directors and 150 clerks were retained as hostages. Twenty pounds of dynamite were placed in the cellar, and a man placed in charge who had everything prepared to explode it. The rioters helped the cashier to lock up £IO,OOO worth of gold. Nothing was stolen.

After fighting all day and losing half their number the rioters offered to surrender if allowed to proceed to England, otherwise they would destroy the bank by dynamite and kill the hostages. The Government accepted these terms, and the rioters were escorted on to a yacht by British sailors.

A band of Moslems, who were furious at the reprisals, armed with iron clubs and other weapons, paraded the ■ streets and massacred every Armenian seen. It is estimated that from 2000 to 4000 were thus slaughtered. Hideous scenes took place in the public thoroughfares, which resembled something akin to a battlefield. The police were apathetic, and looting was general.