THE TURKISH CRISIS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXX, Issue 14979, 27 April 1909, Page 7

THE TURKISH CRISIS.

OVATIONS TO SHEVKET. THE TAXIM BARRACKS AFFAIR. THE DEATH ROLL. THE SITUATION AT THE CAPITAL. United Pre6s Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. CONSTANTINOPLE, April 25. Tho population, of Pera warmly cheered the arrival of Maza Pasha, the hero of tho Kesna. revolt. Shevkot lias been everywhere received with ovations. One thousand persons wore killed or wounded in tho attack on the Taxim barracks alone. Tho casualties elsowhere wore comparatively light. < A message at midnight declared that Constantinople was never known to bo so quiet. It is stated that, once tho military situation has boon cleared, an inquiry as to tho authors of tho revolt will ho undertaken, and in this connection tho question of the throne will be considered. - THE CONSTANTINOPLE GARRISON. I WELL-BEHAVED TROOPS. PRECAUTIONS TO SAVE BLOODSHED. JOURNALISTS WOUNDED. CONSTANTINOPLE, April 25. Tho conduct of Shevket’s troops was perfect, and inspires general confidence. 7 The garrison had planned for a considerable resistance by strengthening the guards’ house and even taking up points of vantage in private houses, hence tho street fighting. It is expected that now it will be seen that tho prolonged parlcyings at San Stofano were intended to avoid fratrioide and bloodshed. Many of tho officers of the garrison did their utmost to hinder resistance by looking up the guns and ammunition. Shevkot intends to remove the entire old garrison, the majority going to Salonika. During yesterday morning’s bombardment a shell hurst against a wall adjoining the Austrian Embassy, and fragments fell into the Embassy courtyard, but the stnff were uninjured. The garrison of a fort rofusing to surrender, a sharp fusillade followed and was kept up, which compelled them to hoist tho white flag. Mr Moor, the wounded snapshotter, also represented the "Chronicle.” Ho recoivcd a slight bullet wound, tho troops imagining that ho was firing. Mr. Booth, a representative of tho "Graphic,” received a wound in tho head. Stray bullets killed some of the bluejackets aboard an Italian guardship. .. iiii,; THE SURRENDER AT THE CAPITAL. SALONIKA DESPATCHES. LONDON, April 25. It is difficult, even in Constantinople itself, owing to tho state of siege, to ascertain what is occurring at the Palace, but a Reuter’s Salonika message despatched at six last evening stated that after Taehkisla, Matchka and Taxim had been captured the garrison at Yildiz Kiosk surrendered unresistingly. An eight o’clock Constantinople message stated that the capturo may bo extremely difficult. Yildiz Kiosk possesses artillery, and may he able to give a good account of itself. The other positions already < captured were not provided with artillery. Official messages state that the position so far as order and security aro concerned is perfect. MASSACRE OF ARMENIANS. CONSTANTINOPLE, April 26. Tho landing of foreign bluejackets restored order at Aloxandretta. but Armenians are still being massacred in in the neighbouring districts, including Dortigol, where Christians aro besieged. The captains of foreign warships have sent men/ and 400 Turkish troops are being sent to the relief of Dortigol. THE DEFEAT OF THE SULTAN’S FORCES. \ ABUSE OF THE WHITE FLAG PUNISHED. (Received April 26, 11.55 p.m.) CONSTANTINOPLE, April 26. Tho National Assembly agreed to the declaration of a state of siege in Constantinople, with the object of facilitating unrest, and enabling trials by court-martial. Tho idea of Moslems fighting Mosloms is producing a deep impression, and is likely to lead to further trouble. The defonders of Yildiz state that the Sultan personally advised them not to resist tho Salonikans, who wero in possession of Yildiz barracks at midday on Sunday. Tho mutineers who wero guilty of abuse of tho white flag- were summarily shot. Their treachery resulted in the death of Mukhtal Boy and fifteen Salonikans. Enver Boy, who commanded tho Taxim district, admits that the attackers lost seven officers and one hundred men. At Taxim a body of' mutineers, avoiding the Salonikans’ loft flank, escaped north towards Thorapia. Tlio rest wore disarmed and intorned. The War Office at Stamboul greatly resents defeat at the hands of fellow Mosloms. JOY IN CONSTANTINOPLE. ORDER AND DISCIPLINE OF THE SALONIKANS. (Received April 27, 12.5 a.m.) CONSTANTINOPLE, April 26. During the entig into Stamboul the

Salonikans drove many Hodjas from the mosques. Some were arrested and some wero killed, despite sacrosanctity. The populace of tho city are joyful and bonfires and illuminations were made. Everyone has boon impressed by the organisation and discipline of tho- victors.

THE SURRENDER OF THE YILDIZ FORCE. SULTAN ACCEPTS A SALON!KANGUARD. (Received April 27, 12.55 a.m.) LONDON, April 26. The "Telegraph’s” Constantinople correspondent states that 800 were killed and 1200 wounded in tho fighting. Directly the barracks Wero captured the Salonikans converged on Yildiz. Two largo barracks, with seventeen, guns immediately outside, surrendered on Sunday morning. Negotiations proceeded until noon with 4000 defenders, when tho Sultan urged them not to resist. When tho Salonikans entered they found thousands commandeering boats and ferries to take them to Seliinich barracks, Scutari, whore tho garrison was threatening to bombard Pera. Patrolling torpedo boats, however, prevented many of tho Yildiz garrison escaping. Many fugitives during tho evening wero found in cemeteries and houses, and shot on tho slightest resistance. Tho defenders at Scutari, who numbered 4000, precipitately rotreated on Sunday evening after the Salonikans had ferried Yildiz guns across the Bosphorus and threatened bombardment. The Sultan forced Tewfik and Edhem, tho next lieirs, to remain at Yildiz as hostages. Ho accepted, a Saloilikan guard after tho capitulation. It is reported, that Ahmed Riza will bo the next Grand Vizier.